Household chores can pile up fast when you have one or a few kids running around the house. It can seem like a room is dirty again only minutes after cleaning it.
This is both frustrating and exhausting for parents. You might think your kids are too young to handle any chores, or you might worry that some tasks are potentially dangerous.
While this can be true, the reality is that even children as young as two can start participating in household chores. What are age-appropriate chores for children and teens?
Why Assigning Chores Matters
When kids do their fair share of chores, it does more than take a load off of your shoulders. Chores teach kids about responsibility, and they establish good habits that kids can carry throughout the rest of their lives.
Often, when children participate in cleaning, they are more aware of the messes they create. As a result of this awareness, you may find that they gradually get accustomed to making fewer messes.
Things to Consider Before Assigning Chores
Each child is unique. Age is a general guideline to go off when assigning chores, but children develop at different rates. It’s important to always consider the skills and abilities of your child before assigning a new chore to them.
In addition, monitor your child the first few times he or she does a new chore to ensure that the work is being done safely and properly.
Age-Appropriate Chore Ideas
Children can grow frustrated if they’re tasked with chores outside of their abilities. Safety and ensuring that the work is done right are other factors to consider when assigning chores.
These are some age-appropriate chores that your children might be able to handle.
Ages 2–3: Toddlers
Young toddlers can clean up some of their messes, such as by wiping up food and liquid spills. They’re also old enough to put their toys away and stack their books on a shelf.
Other tasks suitable for this age group include scooping food into a pet dish, putting dirty clothes in the hamper and even dusting furniture.
Ages 4–5: Preschoolers
Preschoolers can handle the chores that they were accustomed to doing as toddlers. They can also make their bed and take out the trash. They might not be able to handle the large kitchen trash bag, but smaller wastebaskets are within reason.
In addition, kids this age can bring in the newspaper and mail if they are delivered at your property. Other possible chores include clearing the table, watering flowers and tending the garden.
Ages 6–8: Early Elementary
Once kids reach this age, they should be responsible for keeping their room neat and organized. Outside the home, they can pull weeds and rake fallen leaves.
Inside, they can sort laundry by fabric type and color. They can also sweep hard floors, set the table and even pack their own lunches for school.
Ages 9–12: Preteens
Preteens are capable of doing many of the chores that you do. For example, they can unload and load the dishwasher, vacuum, mop and assist with making dinner.
While you might not be ready for them to wash their laundry, they can certainly fold it and put it away. Children this age can also put groceries away and wipe the table and counters after meals.
Ages 13+: Teenagers
If you have teenagers in your house, you can ask them to make their own meals and do every step in the laundry process, including ironing. They’re also old enough to wash windows, clean the car and even clean the bathroom.
By the time your kids are about to graduate high school, they should generally know how to handle all of the chores around the house so they can live independently.
How to Keep Kids Motivated
There are different ways to keep kids motivated about doing chores. Avoid punishing them if they fail to do the chores. Instead, praise them for doing a great job. In some homes, parents provide children with a small allowance.
This gives them some level of financial responsibility and can be used as a practice for money management. Younger kids might do well with a sticker chart and a reward system.
Tips for Success
Recruiting your kids to participate in chores shouldn’t be stressful for you or your kids. These are some tips for success:
- Set reasonable expectations. Your kids won’t be perfect at many chores, but they’re trying.
- Rather than assume kids are too young for something they haven’t done before, teach them how to do it. Just make sure that it’s appropriate for their age and abilities.
- Praise your kids often for their hard work.
- Create a chores chart that assigns specific chores to everyone in the house.
Regardless of the age of your children, your home life can move at a fast pace. Keeping up with all of the chores, even when recruiting the help of your kids, is often overwhelming.
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