Chores Kids Can Do

/ Mary, Mother of the Light Academy/

Having your children help out with household chores is a great way to teach them responsibility and prepare them for later in life. 

If you think there's no way your child will be on board with doing chores, you may be wrong. We all need to feel needed and know we are making a contribution to our family -- even children. And they're much more capable than you think. Just think about how quickly they mastered your iPhone.  Here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Ease into chores. First, show them how you do the chore. Then, let your child help you do the chore. Finally, let your child do the chore as you supervise. 
  • Be specific. Instead of telling your child to clean his or her room, break it down explicitly by saying something like, "Please put your books on the shelf, your clothes in the closet and your toys in the toy box."
  • Make sure you praise your child when the chore is completed, even if it's not done perfectly. 

Age-Appropriate Chores Kids Can Do

Ages 2 to 3

  • Put dirty clothes hamper
  • Put toys away
  • Fill pet's food dish (with supervision)
  • Fold washcloths from laundry
  • Wipe up spills
  • Carry plastic dishes to and from the table
  • Help parent make bed
  • Fold napkins for the dinner table
  • Dust (put an old sock on their hands)

Ages 4 to 5

  • Any of the above chores, plus:
  • Make bed
  • Sort colors for laundry
  • Wipe baseboards with wet cloth or wipe
  • Empty wastebaskets
  • Set the table (with supervision)
  • Bring in mail or newspaper
  • Match socks from clean laundry 
  • Help clear the table
  • Pull weeds in the garden
  • Hang towels after bath/shower
  • Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs
  • Water flowers

Ages 6-7

  • Any of the above chores, plus:
  • Light bathroom cleaning like wiping down counters and sink
  • Fold laundry (basic things like towels and pillowcases)
  • Sweep floors
  • Transfer clothes from washer to dryer
  • Write thank you notes
  • Replace toilet paper roll
  • Put their own laundry in drawers
  • Answer the phone politely
  • Empty the dishwasher and help put dishes away
  • Help make/pack lunch
  • Help prep dinner (ie: washing vegetables)

Ages 8-9:

  • Any of the above chores, plus:
  • Load dishwasher
  • Help put away groceries
  • Vacuum their room
  • Wash dishes
  • Rake leaves
  • Use dustbuster to clean up a mess
  • Wipe down table after meal
  • Make own (simple) breakfast
  • Cook simple foods, like toast
  • Strip bed linens
  • Mop floors
  • Take out trash on trash day

Ages 10+:

  • Any of the above chores, plus:
  • Cook simple food, like scrambled eggs, with supervision as needed
  • Iron clothes
  • Help clean kitchen
  • Change their own bed sheets
  • Do laundry
  • Wash windows
  • Wash car
  • Fold laundry
  • Sweep out garage
  • Change light bulbs
  • Clean mirrors

What are some other chores that your kids do around the house? Comment below!