AGE APPROPRIATE CHORES FOR KIDS

I want my kids to help around the house, but how do I know how much to expect of them? That’s such a common question parents ask themselves. What are age appropriate chores for kids? Whether it’s spring cleaning, weekly tasks, or Saturday chore days, getting kids involved in the care and keeping of their home has value. It teaches them responsibility and lifelong skills that will serve them well. It grounds them in the thought that everyone who lives in the home has a duty to take care of it. It teaches them the value of a clean and tidy home and instills the memories of a home that is cared for and beautiful.

When asked the question about what children are capable of, I frequently reply, “Read Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie, if you want to know what kids can really do.” Fundamentally, kids haven’t changed much through the years, and what Laura and Mary were capable of will still hold true. But recognizing that a list might be more helpful, here’s a quick reference guide of age-appropriate chores for kids.

PRE-SCHOOLERS (3-5 YEARS OLD) - recognizing that many of these might need help at age three and might be managed alone by age five

  • making beds together

  • sorting laundry

  • putting books on a shelf

  • emptying small trashcans

  • feeding pets (with supervision)

  • simple kitchen tasks (wiping counters, helping with cooking, etc.)

  • dusting baseboards

  • watering outdoor potted plants

  • picking up their toys

SCHOOL-AGE KIDS (6-12 YEAR OLDS) - Kids are such eager learners at this age! This is the best time to teach them lots of skills…chore skills and fun skills.

  • caring for a pet

  • cleaning their room

  • setting the table

  • cleaning out the car

  • helping with cooking (a great time to learn cooking skills!)

  • emptying and loading the dishwasher

  • hand washing and drying dishes

  • sorting laundry

  • leaf raking

  • weed pulling

  • taking out the trash

  • making their bed

  • wiping bathroom surfaces

TEENS (13-18 YEAR OLDS) - It’s good to recognize that once they’re in their upper teens, they are just as capable of doing everything you do, but they just might need some patient training. They need that training to become competent, functioning adults.

  • ironing their own clothes

  • laundry

  • car washing

  • window cleaning

  • dog walking

  • helping paint rooms

  • helping with grocery shopping (13-16 year olds)

  • grocery shopping (17-18 year olds)

  • cleaning bathrooms

  • changing their own bed sheets

  • all housecleaning

  • running errands

  • babysitting younger siblings

  • filling car with gas

  • watering outdoor plants

  • writing family thank you notes

  • mowing grass

  • gardening

If you would like a printable form of the Age Appropriate Chores for Kids list, click below:

If you’d like to save this post to one of your Pinterest boards for easy referencing every spring cleaning, or whenever you need it for yourself or to pass on to a friend, here’s a graphic (below) you can pin.

FAMILY FUN, GRANDKIDS, KIDS, SPRING FUNDebbie Harpekids chores, chores for 3-5 year olds, chores for preschoolers, preschool chores, chores for 6-12 year olds, chores for school age kids, chores for teens, chores for 13-18 year olds, age appropriate chores, spring cleaning, spring cleaning with kids, spring cleaning with children, spring cleaning as a family, family chores, kids chore ideas, children's chores, age appropriate children's choresComment