Age Appropriate Chores for Kids
As parents it can be tricky to know when it’s the right time to give kids chores. There are lots of opinions on the age, incentive, approach, and so much more. This is my personal take on how best to introduce and pick chores. Definitely take it with a grain of salt and make your own decisions based on your own child(ren). You know best, but hopefully you’ll find this helpful and get some ideas of what may work for you and your family.
When Should Kids Start Helping Out?
This is an interesting question and I don’t believe there is one right answer. In my opinion, kids should start helping at a very early age. Kids are so smart and way more capable than we give them credit for. Toddlers can absolutely help out, and truthfully, I think they should (just make it fun)! For example, when my kids were toddlers, they were asked to help clean up their toys and books, which helped form a good habit. They also helped to wipe surfaces and carry small things to the table when it was time to eat (nothing breakable or easy to spill). It’s a fun way to get them involved, and it gives them such a sense of pride. We added other chores as they were more and more capable of helping. I know that some kids get an allowance, but in our house the kids help out because they are part of the family and we all help one another.
The idea of helping out because we are all part of the household and family was something I learned from Montessori school. Basically, it is the idea that we are all part of a community, and all need to do our part to keep things clean, organized, and working well as a group. It isn’t one persons job, and everyone that is part of the community should chip in. Home, school, at a friends house…the idea is the same across the board. The kids are part of our family community, so they help out because we ALL help out. 🙂 I love that concept because it makes so much sense to me as an adult, and it’s very easy to explain to a child. We all help each other. Period. Scroll down for some chores that work well for kids and can really help make life easier around the house, while also preparing them to be awesome adults!
Age Appropriate Chores
This is a list with various chores that work for a variety of ages. Use it to get ideas and figure out what works best for you and your family. We started some of these chores when the kids were toddlers, others in preschool, and have been adding new ones because they are only getting older and more capable. I’ll put the rough ages next to each chore, but please remember to help you child learn these new chores and gauge if they are ready based on their own age and ability to do them in a safe way. We supervise and help out as well, so they aren’t doing all of these alone, but they are helping to get these things done as part of the family and household.
- Clean up books (Toddler)
- Clean up toys (Toddler)
- Set table (Preschool)
- Clear table (Preschool/Kinder)
- Put dishes in sink (Preschool/Kinder)
- Rinse dishes and put into dishwasher (Kinder)
- Make bed (Kinder)
- Put PJs into hamper (Preschool)
- Get dressed by themselves in AM/PM (Preschool)
- Go potty/wash hands (Whenever you potty train them)
- Brush teeth (Toddler/Preschool) – Side note: Please help them to ensure they are actually clean and to avoid cavities
- Turn off night lights (Toddler)
- Fold clothes (Kinder)
- Put clean clothes in correct drawers / hang in closet (Preschool/Kinder)
- Feeding pets (in our house we have two dogs) (Kinder/First)
- Folding blankets in the living room (Kinder/First) – We assist as it can take 2 people
- Straightening the pillows on the couch and chairs (Preschool)
- Using the Swiffer mop and duster – a fave of the kids (Kinder/First)
- Raking leaves in the Fall (Preschool/Kinder)
- Putting lunch ice packs back into freezer (Kinder)
- Shoes by back door or in shoe baskets (Preschool)
- Cooking/baking (Preschool) This is a family activity and takes supervision, but I like them to help. It teachers new skills and encourages them to try new foods.
One other thing to keep in mind is by making things fun and using positive reinforcement, the chores aren’t seen as a pain to do. It’s also great to make it less if a chore and more of a routine. Yes, we started a lot of those chores at an early age, but we also helped them to do those chores, so it was a group effort. They looked at it as family time and not a chore they were asked to do. It has formed a lot of really good habits that I’m really proud of.
Also, there is no wrong time to start – it’s more about being patient and starting when your kiddo is ready. Each child is different, and you need to keep that in mind as you introduce new chores and expectations.
If you haven’t introduced chores yet, it’s not too late! I’m a firm believer that everyone should pitch in, and that doing a good job leaves us with a wonderful feeling. That feeling is something we should strive for. Is allowance ok? Absolutely! We don’t give allowance for chores that we consider normal everyday expectations and routines. Those are just things we do as part of the household. That being said, if we ask the kids to help us with something that will take more time or we feel is extra – we sometimes give them allowance. 🙂 It’s fun to show them some extra appreciation and add to their piggie bank. They are both saving up for something special, and helping them to reach their goal is fun as well! That being said, the kids know that they don’t get paid for normal things like cleaning their room, brushing their teeth, helping set the table, etc. That is how we have chosen to do things – and there are lots of ways out there! Again, pick what is right for you! 🙂
Lastly, how to reinforce chores is up to you, and up to your child as well. What I mean by that is you need to figure out what works for your kiddo, because what motivates some kids won’t motivate others. Chore charts work really well for many children, and there are a ton of options out there! We tried the ones with magnets on the fridge, but ultimately, I like printing a chore chart out and being able to handwrite the chores on it myself. It is more custom and I can change it as we need to add or take off chores.
We used the same chart for goals as well, so the chart also had things like “went to bed without a fuss,” “stayed in bed until alarm went off,” “didn’t chew nails,” etc. It’s great to have both on the same chart because the goal is to form great habits, so why not have them all in one place?!
I created some simple chore charts HERE that you can print out and use with your family. You can use a pen or marker to check them off, stickers, or insert the chart into a dry erase sleeve and dry erase markers. The dry erase method is by far my favorite method because the chart doesn’t need to be reprinted each week. Plus, the kiddos can use the dry erase markers to check things off, which they love! Huge win!
I hope this helps and please comment below with some of your own favorite chores, methods, charts, and ideas! Sharing is caring so let’s all help one another, right? xoxo
About The Author
Chirag Diyora
As parents it can be tricky to know when it’s the right time to give kids chores. There are lots of opinions on the age, incentive, approach, and so much more. This is my personal take on how best to introduce and pick chores. Definitely take it with a grain of salt and make your own decisions based on your own child(ren). You know best, but hopefully you’ll find this helpful and get some ideas of what may work for you and your family.
When Should Kids Start Helping Out?
This is an interesting question and I don’t believe there is one right answer. In my opinion, kids should start helping at a very early age. Kids are so smart and way more capable than we give them credit for. Toddlers can absolutely help out, and truthfully, I think they should (just make it fun)! For example, when my kids were toddlers, they were asked to help clean up their toys and books, which helped form a good habit. They also helped to wipe surfaces and carry small things to the table when it was time to eat (nothing breakable or easy to spill). It’s a fun way to get them involved, and it gives them such a sense of pride. We added other chores as they were more and more capable of helping. I know that some kids get an allowance, but in our house the kids help out because they are part of the family and we all help one another.
The idea of helping out because we are all part of the household and family was something I learned from Montessori school. Basically, it is the idea that we are all part of a community, and all need to do our part to keep things clean, organized, and working well as a group. It isn’t one persons job, and everyone that is part of the community should chip in. Home, school, at a friends house…the idea is the same across the board. The kids are part of our family community, so they help out because we ALL help out. 🙂 I love that concept because it makes so much sense to me as an adult, and it’s very easy to explain to a child. We all help each other. Period. Scroll down for some chores that work well for kids and can really help make life easier around the house, while also preparing them to be awesome adults!
Age Appropriate Chores
This is a list with various chores that work for a variety of ages. Use it to get ideas and figure out what works best for you and your family. We started some of these chores when the kids were toddlers, others in preschool, and have been adding new ones because they are only getting older and more capable. I’ll put the rough ages next to each chore, but please remember to help you child learn these new chores and gauge if they are ready based on their own age and ability to do them in a safe way. We supervise and help out as well, so they aren’t doing all of these alone, but they are helping to get these things done as part of the family and household.
- Clean up books (Toddler)
- Clean up toys (Toddler)
- Set table (Preschool)
- Clear table (Preschool/Kinder)
- Put dishes in sink (Preschool/Kinder)
- Rinse dishes and put into dishwasher (Kinder)
- Make bed (Kinder)
- Put PJs into hamper (Preschool)
- Get dressed by themselves in AM/PM (Preschool)
- Go potty/wash hands (Whenever you potty train them)
- Brush teeth (Toddler/Preschool) – Side note: Please help them to ensure they are actually clean and to avoid cavities
- Turn off night lights (Toddler)
- Fold clothes (Kinder)
- Put clean clothes in correct drawers / hang in closet (Preschool/Kinder)
- Feeding pets (in our house we have two dogs) (Kinder/First)
- Folding blankets in the living room (Kinder/First) – We assist as it can take 2 people
- Straightening the pillows on the couch and chairs (Preschool)
- Using the Swiffer mop and duster – a fave of the kids (Kinder/First)
- Raking leaves in the Fall (Preschool/Kinder)
- Putting lunch ice packs back into freezer (Kinder)
- Shoes by back door or in shoe baskets (Preschool)
- Cooking/baking (Preschool) This is a family activity and takes supervision, but I like them to help. It teachers new skills and encourages them to try new foods.
One other thing to keep in mind is by making things fun and using positive reinforcement, the chores aren’t seen as a pain to do. It’s also great to make it less if a chore and more of a routine. Yes, we started a lot of those chores at an early age, but we also helped them to do those chores, so it was a group effort. They looked at it as family time and not a chore they were asked to do. It has formed a lot of really good habits that I’m really proud of.
Also, there is no wrong time to start – it’s more about being patient and starting when your kiddo is ready. Each child is different, and you need to keep that in mind as you introduce new chores and expectations.
If you haven’t introduced chores yet, it’s not too late! I’m a firm believer that everyone should pitch in, and that doing a good job leaves us with a wonderful feeling. That feeling is something we should strive for. Is allowance ok? Absolutely! We don’t give allowance for chores that we consider normal everyday expectations and routines. Those are just things we do as part of the household. That being said, if we ask the kids to help us with something that will take more time or we feel is extra – we sometimes give them allowance. 🙂 It’s fun to show them some extra appreciation and add to their piggie bank. They are both saving up for something special, and helping them to reach their goal is fun as well! That being said, the kids know that they don’t get paid for normal things like cleaning their room, brushing their teeth, helping set the table, etc. That is how we have chosen to do things – and there are lots of ways out there! Again, pick what is right for you! 🙂
Lastly, how to reinforce chores is up to you, and up to your child as well. What I mean by that is you need to figure out what works for your kiddo, because what motivates some kids won’t motivate others. Chore charts work really well for many children, and there are a ton of options out there! We tried the ones with magnets on the fridge, but ultimately, I like printing a chore chart out and being able to handwrite the chores on it myself. It is more custom and I can change it as we need to add or take off chores.
We used the same chart for goals as well, so the chart also had things like “went to bed without a fuss,” “stayed in bed until alarm went off,” “didn’t chew nails,” etc. It’s great to have both on the same chart because the goal is to form great habits, so why not have them all in one place?!
I created some simple chore charts HERE that you can print out and use with your family. You can use a pen or marker to check them off, stickers, or insert the chart into a dry erase sleeve and dry erase markers. The dry erase method is by far my favorite method because the chart doesn’t need to be reprinted each week. Plus, the kiddos can use the dry erase markers to check things off, which they love! Huge win!
I hope this helps and please comment below with some of your own favorite chores, methods, charts, and ideas! Sharing is caring so let’s all help one another, right? xoxo
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As parents it can be tricky to know when it’s the right time to give kids chores. There are lots of opinions on the age, incentive, approach, and so much more. This is my personal take on how best to introduce and pick chores. Definitely take it with a grain of salt and make your own decisions based on your own child(ren). You know best, but hopefully you’ll find this helpful and get some ideas of what may work for you and your family.
When Should Kids Start Helping Out?
This is an interesting question and I don’t believe there is one right answer. In my opinion, kids should start helping at a very early age. Kids are so smart and way more capable than we give them credit for. Toddlers can absolutely help out, and truthfully, I think they should (just make it fun)! For example, when my kids were toddlers, they were asked to help clean up their toys and books, which helped form a good habit. They also helped to wipe surfaces and carry small things to the table when it was time to eat (nothing breakable or easy to spill). It’s a fun way to get them involved, and it gives them such a sense of pride. We added other chores as they were more and more capable of helping. I know that some kids get an allowance, but in our house the kids help out because they are part of the family and we all help one another.
The idea of helping out because we are all part of the household and family was something I learned from Montessori school. Basically, it is the idea that we are all part of a community, and all need to do our part to keep things clean, organized, and working well as a group. It isn’t one persons job, and everyone that is part of the community should chip in. Home, school, at a friends house…the idea is the same across the board. The kids are part of our family community, so they help out because we ALL help out. 🙂 I love that concept because it makes so much sense to me as an adult, and it’s very easy to explain to a child. We all help each other. Period. Scroll down for some chores that work well for kids and can really help make life easier around the house, while also preparing them to be awesome adults!
Age Appropriate Chores
This is a list with various chores that work for a variety of ages. Use it to get ideas and figure out what works best for you and your family. We started some of these chores when the kids were toddlers, others in preschool, and have been adding new ones because they are only getting older and more capable. I’ll put the rough ages next to each chore, but please remember to help you child learn these new chores and gauge if they are ready based on their own age and ability to do them in a safe way. We supervise and help out as well, so they aren’t doing all of these alone, but they are helping to get these things done as part of the family and household.
- Clean up books (Toddler)
- Clean up toys (Toddler)
- Set table (Preschool)
- Clear table (Preschool/Kinder)
- Put dishes in sink (Preschool/Kinder)
- Rinse dishes and put into dishwasher (Kinder)
- Make bed (Kinder)
- Put PJs into hamper (Preschool)
- Get dressed by themselves in AM/PM (Preschool)
- Go potty/wash hands (Whenever you potty train them)
- Brush teeth (Toddler/Preschool) – Side note: Please help them to ensure they are actually clean and to avoid cavities
- Turn off night lights (Toddler)
- Fold clothes (Kinder)
- Put clean clothes in correct drawers / hang in closet (Preschool/Kinder)
- Feeding pets (in our house we have two dogs) (Kinder/First)
- Folding blankets in the living room (Kinder/First) – We assist as it can take 2 people
- Straightening the pillows on the couch and chairs (Preschool)
- Using the Swiffer mop and duster – a fave of the kids (Kinder/First)
- Raking leaves in the Fall (Preschool/Kinder)
- Putting lunch ice packs back into freezer (Kinder)
- Shoes by back door or in shoe baskets (Preschool)
- Cooking/baking (Preschool) This is a family activity and takes supervision, but I like them to help. It teachers new skills and encourages them to try new foods.
One other thing to keep in mind is by making things fun and using positive reinforcement, the chores aren’t seen as a pain to do. It’s also great to make it less if a chore and more of a routine. Yes, we started a lot of those chores at an early age, but we also helped them to do those chores, so it was a group effort. They looked at it as family time and not a chore they were asked to do. It has formed a lot of really good habits that I’m really proud of.
Also, there is no wrong time to start – it’s more about being patient and starting when your kiddo is ready. Each child is different, and you need to keep that in mind as you introduce new chores and expectations.
If you haven’t introduced chores yet, it’s not too late! I’m a firm believer that everyone should pitch in, and that doing a good job leaves us with a wonderful feeling. That feeling is something we should strive for. Is allowance ok? Absolutely! We don’t give allowance for chores that we consider normal everyday expectations and routines. Those are just things we do as part of the household. That being said, if we ask the kids to help us with something that will take more time or we feel is extra – we sometimes give them allowance. 🙂 It’s fun to show them some extra appreciation and add to their piggie bank. They are both saving up for something special, and helping them to reach their goal is fun as well! That being said, the kids know that they don’t get paid for normal things like cleaning their room, brushing their teeth, helping set the table, etc. That is how we have chosen to do things – and there are lots of ways out there! Again, pick what is right for you! 🙂
Lastly, how to reinforce chores is up to you, and up to your child as well. What I mean by that is you need to figure out what works for your kiddo, because what motivates some kids won’t motivate others. Chore charts work really well for many children, and there are a ton of options out there! We tried the ones with magnets on the fridge, but ultimately, I like printing a chore chart out and being able to handwrite the chores on it myself. It is more custom and I can change it as we need to add or take off chores.
We used the same chart for goals as well, so the chart also had things like “went to bed without a fuss,” “stayed in bed until alarm went off,” “didn’t chew nails,” etc. It’s great to have both on the same chart because the goal is to form great habits, so why not have them all in one place?!
I created some simple chore charts HERE that you can print out and use with your family. You can use a pen or marker to check them off, stickers, or insert the chart into a dry erase sleeve and dry erase markers. The dry erase method is by far my favorite method because the chart doesn’t need to be reprinted each week. Plus, the kiddos can use the dry erase markers to check things off, which they love! Huge win!
I hope this helps and please comment below with some of your own favorite chores, methods, charts, and ideas! Sharing is caring so let’s all help one another, right? xoxo
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As parents it can be tricky to know when it’s the right time to give kids chores. There are lots of opinions on the age, incentive, approach, and so much more. This is my personal take on how best to introduce and pick chores. Definitely take it with a grain of salt and make your own decisions based on your own child(ren). You know best, but hopefully you’ll find this helpful and get some ideas of what may work for you and your family.
When Should Kids Start Helping Out?
This is an interesting question and I don’t believe there is one right answer. In my opinion, kids should start helping at a very early age. Kids are so smart and way more capable than we give them credit for. Toddlers can absolutely help out, and truthfully, I think they should (just make it fun)! For example, when my kids were toddlers, they were asked to help clean up their toys and books, which helped form a good habit. They also helped to wipe surfaces and carry small things to the table when it was time to eat (nothing breakable or easy to spill). It’s a fun way to get them involved, and it gives them such a sense of pride. We added other chores as they were more and more capable of helping. I know that some kids get an allowance, but in our house the kids help out because they are part of the family and we all help one another.
The idea of helping out because we are all part of the household and family was something I learned from Montessori school. Basically, it is the idea that we are all part of a community, and all need to do our part to keep things clean, organized, and working well as a group. It isn’t one persons job, and everyone that is part of the community should chip in. Home, school, at a friends house…the idea is the same across the board. The kids are part of our family community, so they help out because we ALL help out. 🙂 I love that concept because it makes so much sense to me as an adult, and it’s very easy to explain to a child. We all help each other. Period. Scroll down for some chores that work well for kids and can really help make life easier around the house, while also preparing them to be awesome adults!
Age Appropriate Chores
This is a list with various chores that work for a variety of ages. Use it to get ideas and figure out what works best for you and your family. We started some of these chores when the kids were toddlers, others in preschool, and have been adding new ones because they are only getting older and more capable. I’ll put the rough ages next to each chore, but please remember to help you child learn these new chores and gauge if they are ready based on their own age and ability to do them in a safe way. We supervise and help out as well, so they aren’t doing all of these alone, but they are helping to get these things done as part of the family and household.
- Clean up books (Toddler)
- Clean up toys (Toddler)
- Set table (Preschool)
- Clear table (Preschool/Kinder)
- Put dishes in sink (Preschool/Kinder)
- Rinse dishes and put into dishwasher (Kinder)
- Make bed (Kinder)
- Put PJs into hamper (Preschool)
- Get dressed by themselves in AM/PM (Preschool)
- Go potty/wash hands (Whenever you potty train them)
- Brush teeth (Toddler/Preschool) – Side note: Please help them to ensure they are actually clean and to avoid cavities
- Turn off night lights (Toddler)
- Fold clothes (Kinder)
- Put clean clothes in correct drawers / hang in closet (Preschool/Kinder)
- Feeding pets (in our house we have two dogs) (Kinder/First)
- Folding blankets in the living room (Kinder/First) – We assist as it can take 2 people
- Straightening the pillows on the couch and chairs (Preschool)
- Using the Swiffer mop and duster – a fave of the kids (Kinder/First)
- Raking leaves in the Fall (Preschool/Kinder)
- Putting lunch ice packs back into freezer (Kinder)
- Shoes by back door or in shoe baskets (Preschool)
- Cooking/baking (Preschool) This is a family activity and takes supervision, but I like them to help. It teachers new skills and encourages them to try new foods.
One other thing to keep in mind is by making things fun and using positive reinforcement, the chores aren’t seen as a pain to do. It’s also great to make it less if a chore and more of a routine. Yes, we started a lot of those chores at an early age, but we also helped them to do those chores, so it was a group effort. They looked at it as family time and not a chore they were asked to do. It has formed a lot of really good habits that I’m really proud of.
Also, there is no wrong time to start – it’s more about being patient and starting when your kiddo is ready. Each child is different, and you need to keep that in mind as you introduce new chores and expectations.
If you haven’t introduced chores yet, it’s not too late! I’m a firm believer that everyone should pitch in, and that doing a good job leaves us with a wonderful feeling. That feeling is something we should strive for. Is allowance ok? Absolutely! We don’t give allowance for chores that we consider normal everyday expectations and routines. Those are just things we do as part of the household. That being said, if we ask the kids to help us with something that will take more time or we feel is extra – we sometimes give them allowance. 🙂 It’s fun to show them some extra appreciation and add to their piggie bank. They are both saving up for something special, and helping them to reach their goal is fun as well! That being said, the kids know that they don’t get paid for normal things like cleaning their room, brushing their teeth, helping set the table, etc. That is how we have chosen to do things – and there are lots of ways out there! Again, pick what is right for you! 🙂
Lastly, how to reinforce chores is up to you, and up to your child as well. What I mean by that is you need to figure out what works for your kiddo, because what motivates some kids won’t motivate others. Chore charts work really well for many children, and there are a ton of options out there! We tried the ones with magnets on the fridge, but ultimately, I like printing a chore chart out and being able to handwrite the chores on it myself. It is more custom and I can change it as we need to add or take off chores.
We used the same chart for goals as well, so the chart also had things like “went to bed without a fuss,” “stayed in bed until alarm went off,” “didn’t chew nails,” etc. It’s great to have both on the same chart because the goal is to form great habits, so why not have them all in one place?!
I created some simple chore charts HERE that you can print out and use with your family. You can use a pen or marker to check them off, stickers, or insert the chart into a dry erase sleeve and dry erase markers. The dry erase method is by far my favorite method because the chart doesn’t need to be reprinted each week. Plus, the kiddos can use the dry erase markers to check things off, which they love! Huge win!
I hope this helps and please comment below with some of your own favorite chores, methods, charts, and ideas! Sharing is caring so let’s all help one another, right? xoxo