Age Appropriate Chores for Kids

Kids should do age-appropriate chores to strengthen themselves and help them grow into morally and socially responsible kids.

It’s no longer a mere fact based on experience, these days science has readily proven that kids who are exposed to chores at an earlier age, do better than their counterparts who were never into chores.

You don’t even need science these days to prove this little fact, you can try a personal experiment on your own and see results for yourself.

You will naturally find kids who are not exposed to chores early in life are highly dependent and also have an increased level of entitlement.

Trust me, you wouldn’t love these two characteristics in your child! 

There are countless benefits of having your kids help around the house. It makes kids feel important, wanted, and a special part of the home.

Chores given at an earlier age teaches kids about responsibility, self-reliance, adaptability, and generally exposes them to other vital life skills.

Dividing chores amongst your kids generally take the workload off “you” as a parent so you can have time to become a better parent.

What are age-appropriate chores?

Age-appropriate chores for kids means having kids take on small tasks even at an early age of 2 until they’re able to take on a bigger task as they grow older. 

These tasks could be as little as picking up their toys to mowing the lawn as they grow older.

How to get kids to do chores?

1. Cut Distractions
2. Use chores where the whole family gets involved
3. Set a Time Limit for All Chores
4. Use an Allowance If You Must
5. Create an Easy Structure for Chores
6. Never Use Chores as a Punishment or a Reward System

Ready to start grooming your little one, then, here is a chore list of age-appropriate chores for kids

Chore list for kids (by age group)

Looking for chore ideas? Here is a list of daily chores for kids by age group

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

Starting chores as early as 2 to 3 years can rope-in your kid’s mindset into chores. It reduces the strangeness of asking them to do chores later on and they are easily able to adapt to bigger ones as they’re growing older.

Chores for toddlers Includes:

• Pile up books and magazines on shelves
• Help make the beds
• Mop small spills with a dry mop
• Put their toys away
• Fill up a cat or dog’s food bowl
• Pick up their own dress
• Dust or wipe their own shoes

Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)

Preschoolers are still very much interested in chores because they are interested in doing everything the elders around them are doing. 

You might even be surprised at this age there are some chores that they can single-handedly accomplish without supervision. 

Preschoolers can help with the following chores:

• Put away clean utensils
• Wash plastic dishes with supervision
• Assist an older sibling with setting the table 
• Help bring in light groceries
• Make their bed without supervision
• Clear the table
• Water plants
• Match socks together
• Dust with a cloth
• Care for an animal’s food and water

Primary Schoolers (Ages 6-9)

At this age, your child is ready to take on a lot more responsibility without constant supervision.  

This is also the age where most kids start to rebel against the idea of doing chores, but it is now your duty as a parent to make them see reasons why they have to do it and do it well too.

Primary schoolers between the ages of 6 and 9 can usually do the following chores:

• Make their own bedrooms, with minimal or no supervision
• Put away the groceries
• Load the dishwasher
• Empty the dishwasher or drain vacuum
• Sweep the floors
• Help bag or box lunches
• Rake the yard
• Help a parent prepare dinner
• Make their own snacks/breakfast
• Scrub the table after meals
• Put away their own laundry
• Take the family dog for a walk
• Clean spill
• Empty trash

Middle Schoolers (Ages 10-13)

Preteens or middle schoolers can do many tasks on their own and can be held responsible for them without constant reminders. At this age, large families can decide to create a chore chart for their children, So that every child understands there are day-to-day chores without the need for argument or drama.

Children between the ages of 10 and 13 should be able to do the following chores:

• Prepare easy meals without assistance 
• Use the washing machine and dryer 
• Take trash to the bins
• Babysit younger siblings with parents at home
• Wash the dishes or load the dishwasher without assistance 
• Wash the family car
• Clean up their entire room

High Schoolers (Ages 14+) 

By the time your child reaches high school, they can do nearly any household task you want.

This is also a stage where you prepare your child for life after home.

This stage is very critical because some kids rebel so hard at the idea of chores and they initially start dispelling the skill.

The result is often a hard time adjusting in college and poor adjustments with their roommates.

But some kids are still willing to do chores, in fact, at this stage, some kids do virtually all chores in the home.

They gladly do the chores! They are even more willing to go to school from home so they can save more money.

Whatever type of kid you have, try not to compare.

You can stylishly pair them up with a responsible friend so they can start catching up with good manners. 

Children over the age of fourteen can do the following chores:

• Help deep clean kitchen (appliances, floors, and cabinets) 
• Clean the toilet, sink, and showers
• Babysit younger siblings independently
• Mow the lawn
• Care for pets independently
• Make complex meals
• Go for small shopping
• Iron clothes
• Sew buttons on clothing
• Help parents with simple home or auto repairs
• Clean out the fridge

Conclusion

Exposing kids earlier on to chores can strengthen a family and give everyone a sense of responsibility and cut down stress for parents.

I know it’s easier to overlook a child as too young for chores, but, you never can tell what good it’s doing to them or what they can actually do until you test things out.

Chore chart for kids

Are you struggling to find ways to get your kids to do chores? It is important to be creative and yet fun.

Grab these premium chore cards that come with over 30 fun and exciting tasks along with a daily time table to get you started. Click here

Are you struggling to get your kids to do chores? Have a look at some of my recent posts:

Learn facts about paying children for chores

How to raise a responsible child?

References:

The Ultimate List of Age-Appropriate Chores | Child Development Institute. Link Here

Your Modern Family | Age Appropriate Chores for Young Children through Teenage, Aug 2020 Link Here