Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
At this age, toddlers are still learning and developing their fine motor skills, so it’s important to keep their chores simple and age-appropriate. Some ideas for toddler chores include:
Picking up toys: Toddlers can start learning to put away their own toys and help clean up their play area.
Helping with the laundry: Toddlers can start learning how to sort laundry by color or type of fabric.
Watering plants: Give toddlers a small watering can and let them help water the plants around the house.
Feeding pets: Toddlers can help fill the food and water bowls for the family pets.
Assisting with meal preparation: Toddlers can help stir ingredients or assist with setting the table.
Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)
As preschoolers continue to develop their fine motor skills, they are ready for more complex tasks. Some ideas for preschooler chores include:
Putting away their own clothes: Preschoolers can start learning to put away their own clothes and hang up their own jackets.
Wiping down surfaces: Preschoolers can help clean up spills and wipe down tables and countertops.
Dusting: Give preschoolers a soft cloth and let them help dust the furniture.
Making their own bed: Preschoolers can start learning to make their own bed in the morning.
Helping with grocery shopping: Preschoolers can start learning to cross items off the shopping list and help carry the groceries into the house.
Elementary School-Aged Kids (Ages 6-10)
At this age, kids are ready for more complex chores that require more independence. Some ideas for elementary school-aged kids include:
Doing their own laundry: Kids can start learning to do their own laundry, including sorting clothes, loading the washing machine, and transferring clothes to the dryer.
Raking leaves: Kids can help with yard work by raking leaves and helping to clear the yard of debris.
Washing the car: Kids can help wash and dry the family car.
Cooking: Kids can start learning how to cook simple meals, such as grilled cheese sandwiches or scrambled eggs.
Taking care of pets: Kids can start taking on more responsibility for the family pets, including feeding and walking them.
Middle School-Aged Kids (Ages 11-13)
As kids enter middle school, they are ready for even more complex and independent tasks. Some ideas for middle school-aged kids include:
Doing their own laundry: Kids can continue learning how to do their own laundry, including folding and putting away their clothes.
Taking care of the yard: Kids can help with yard work, including mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, and watering the plants.
Running errands: Kids can start running errands, such as going to the store or post office.
Cooking: Kids can start learning how to cook more complex meals, such as casseroles or soups.
Babysitting: Kids can start learning how to babysit younger siblings or neighborhood children.
Paying for Chores
One question that often comes up when it comes to chores is whether or not to pay kids for their work. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument.
On the pro side, paying kids for their chores can teach them about the value of money and the concept of earning an income.
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » The Importance of Chores for Kids A Guide to Assigning Age-Appropriate Tasks