What chores can a 4-year-old be in charge of? What about a teenager? And how young is too young to have kids start helping out? We’ve come up with a list of age-appropriate chores to use as a guideline when creating a chore chart for your kids and family.
When determining chores for your family, all children are different and age is not the only factor when determining the right chore. In addition to age, take note of your child’s maturity level, their attention to detail, and the kinds of things that interest them around the house. Some children love to help cook and do dishes, others would rather help grocery shop and take care of a pet. When choosing chores for your children, set them up for success and choose an appropriate and doable amount of chores and a timeline in which to complete them.
Also, remember that it does take practice and LOTS of patience to help young children learn to do chores correctly and with a good attitude, but the payoff is worth it! Stay consistent in teaching them and give them and yourself, lots of grace!
Toddler – 3 Years Old
Toddlers love to feel a sense of responsibility and are coming into their selves (hence why they always want to do everything alone). At this age, it’s important to let them try things on their own but always be there to offer a loving helping hand. Patience at this stage of development is also key along with frequent reminders to yourself that the chore doesn’t have to be done perfectly. Sticker charts are a great way to keep toddlers on track with their chores too!
– Help you make their bed
– Pick up after themselves when they play
– Put their clothes in the hamper
– Take their diaper to the trash
– Help wipe up messes
– Help feed pets
– Dust small areas with a cloth
Ages 4 – 8
Preschoolers and younger kids LOVE to be helpers and feel like the adult in their lives need them for more serious types of chores. These ages crave alone time with their parents so this is a great time to do chores together as well as have them help with things like dinner and before-bed routines.
– Clear and set the table
– Bring items in from the car
– Set their clothes out for the next day
– Help load the washer and transfer clothes to the dryer
– Sweep and mop floors
– Clean out a litter box and feed/water animals
– Chop vegetables with supervision and start to help cook
– Keep their rooms tidy
Ages 9 – 13
The older children get, the more helpful they can, and should be to the family. Children ages 9-13 are just entering puberty and it can sometimes be a challenge to get them to do anything, but keep pushing for consistency. They love to feel useful and doing chores is a way for them to feel in charge of something and help take care of the family.
-Make Simple Meals (your children can make simple breakfasts and lunches easy)
-Take Garbage Out/Bring Cans In
-Wash/Dry Clothes
-Clean Toilets
-Mop Floors
-Wash/Dry and Put Away Dishes
-Take dogs for a walk around the neighborhood
-Wash cars
-Babysit (if older and responsible)
We hope that we’ve given you some ideas for implementing chores with your kids. Even the simplest tasks can help out you and your family in your day-to-day life. Also, check out Pinterest or Etsy for pre-made chore charts!
Let us know what chores do your kids do and what will you be using from this list?
