Discover age-appropriate chores for kids to help teach responsibility and life skills. From toddlers to teens, find the perfect tasks to make your household run smoothly.

Teaching kids to do chores is important. It helps them learn responsibility. Chores can teach children valuable life skills. They learn how to take care of themselves and their home. Starting chores at a young age can build good habits.

Kids doing chores also helps the family. It can make the household run smoother. When everyone pitches in, it lightens the load. Parents can spend more time with their kids instead of just doing housework. Plus, kids feel proud when they help out.

Choosing the right chores for each age is key. Younger kids need simple tasks. As they get older, they can handle more responsibility. It’s important to match the chore to the child’s ability. This way, they don’t get frustrated, and they can succeed.

In this blog post, we’ll look at age-appropriate chores. We will start with tasks for toddlers and move up to teens. Each age group has different abilities and needs. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what chores your kids can do. This will help you create a chore plan that works for your family.

Do you struggle to get your kids to clean?  Should my kids have chores? What chores should my children do?   The struggle is real. 

You may be thinking: Why should my kids clean?  It is faster and easier if I just clean it myself.   I thought the same thing.

Should Kids Have Chores? Benefits Of Chores for Kids

Having your kids help you with the household chores can lighten your load, giving you more time to spend with your kids.

Teaching your children to pick up toys is a lesson in personal responsibility that will follow them for the rest of their lives.

Chores teach children:

• responsibility.

•  teamwork.

• cooperation. 

• the skills they need to live on their own someday. 

Your kids may want to keep things cleaner if they know they will have to pick it up. 

How To Get Your Kids to Do Chores

I understand that it is difficult to get your kids to help, especially when it comes to cleaning and chores.  Kids would rather play than work.

Make cleaning a game.  See who can pick up toys the fastest or see whose dust rag is the dirtiest.

Make cleaning fun.  Play your kids favorite music or for younger kids play cleaning songs.  Your kids can enjoy cleaning while dancing and singing.

Give rewards / privileges.  A reward can be used for completing chores.  Some examples of rewards include computer time, a family movie, a special treat, or money.

Kids Chores Tips

• Don’t demand perfection.  You may need to lower your standards.  Understand that your kids probably won’t clean perfect or how you clean every time.  However, it should be clean.

• Don’t jump in and do it for them.  I know you want to be helpful or maybe they aren’t cleaning to your standards, but cleaning for them undermines the whole point.  Also, they will not clean if they know you will do it for them.

• Don’t wait until your kids are older to start chores.  You may think your child is too young, but your kids may be able to clean more than you think. 

• Give plenty of praise.  Praise and encourage your child while they are cleaning.  You need to build positive momentum with young kids.

• Give praise to reinforce good habits and build self-esteem.  Show your appreciation to your kids.

Getting Started

Remember you may need to show your kids how to do a job.  Discuss what it should look like when it is done. 

First, show your child how to do the chore step by step.  Be specific with instructions. 

Next, let your child help you do it.  Then, have your child do the chore as you supervise. 

Once your child has mastered the chore, he is ready to do it all by himself.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids

You may be wondering what chores can or should my child be doing?  Here is a list adapted from Mount Pleasant Pediatrics.

2-3 Years Old

• Pick up toys

• Fold washcloths

• Help set table

4-5 Years Old

• All previous chores

• Put away toys

• Straighten books on a bookshelf

• Put away clean silverware

• Help clean their bedroom

• Help sweep kitchen with a small broom

• Help clean off table

• Fold towels

6-7 Years Old

• All previous chores

• Light cleaning of bathroom

• Help unload dishwasher

• Help wash dishes

• Take clothes out of dryer

8-9 Years Old

• All previous chores

• Dust

• Wash dishes

• Vacuum

• Organize toy cabinets

• Take out trash

10-12 Years Old

• All previous chores

• Wash basic laundry

• Make easy meals

• Mop floors

13+ Years Old

• All previous chores

• Make meals alone

Do Not Be Overwhelmed by the Chore List

Remember this list is a suggested of chores.  It is not a list of all the chores that your child has to do.

You can start by having a family meeting to discuss chores.  Have kids discuss which chores they could do and create a schedule of when to have chores completed. 

Also, discuss what happens if the chore is done and what happens if the chore is not done.

Here are some free chore charts to help you and your kids keep track of chores. Feel free to print and use these chore charts as needed.

You can either click on the picture of the chart to print or download it to your computer.

How To Make Kids Chores Successful

Make a list of chores your kids can do.  Then make a list of chores (or jobs) that need to be done regularly.

Have a family meeting to talk about the jobs that need to be done to help out the family.  You should outline daily responsibilities and expectations during this meeting.   

Try to make daily chores a routine, which will become habit. 

Your child may need gentle reminders or encouragement along the way.  Do not give in to whining and moaning. 

One effective strategy to get your child to help with cleaning is to offer a privilege if the job gets done.  Examples include computer time or money. 

How I Motivate My Kids to Do Chores

I make chores a part of their routine.

For example, I tell my kids before they go to school they must eat breakfast, get dressed, brush their teeth, brush their hair and make their beds.   They know that making their bed is part of their daily routine.

I also try to get my kids to pick up their toys when they are finished playing with them.  Some days are better than others. 

To help them pick up their toys, I found that games work best. 

I usually say, “let’s see who can pick up the most toys” and make it a competition between my 2 kids.  This works really well for me.

Another clean up game that works is to set a timer and ask my son if he thinks he can pick up his toys before the timer goes off.  He loves racing around picking up stuff. 

Now when I remind him to pick his toys up off the floor, he asks me if I can time him. 

I would love to read about how you get your kids to do their chores. Please comment below. 

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