Suggested Chores for Kids

Running a household efficiently and with fairness takes many hands. The responsibility lies on the shoulders of all family members and not just the adults. Children could and should be involved in keeping a home in an orderly and organized manner. Even the youngest child can learn responsibility through household duties when parents assign age-appropriate chores.

  1. Chores for Preschoolers

    • A child at the age of 3 or 4 can be assigned small chores around the house. For this age bracket, chores should be simple and easy. A 3- or 4-year-old can learn to pick up after himself, putting away toys when he is finished playing. Another simple chore for children this age is having them put their dirty clothes into the hamper or scraping their plates into the garbage after a meal. Of course they aren̵7;t ready to do dishes at this age, but they can have the chore of putting their plates into the sink or on a counter. At this age of development, a child can have the responsibility of feeding a pet, folding washcloths and mating socks when a parent does the laundry.

    Tasks for 5- and 6-Year-Olds

    • Children of all ages like to be independent. They like to help around the house with a little motivation and encouragement from adults, especially when praises and rewards are offered for a job well done. For the 5- and 6-year-old, parents can assign such chores as sorting laundry on wash day. Kids at this age can put their own clean clothes away after being laundered. A 5- and 6-year-old can wipe the bathroom sink or dust the living room furniture. She can have the chore of putting away forks and spoons after they have been washed and dried.

    Jobs for 7- and 9-Year-Olds

    • When assigning chores to kids, parents must remember that the appointed tasks must be age appropriate. Though you may not have a 3-year-old taking the trash can out on trash day, a 7- to 9-year-old can. At this age, children can set the table for meals and then clear it. They can be given the responsibility of vacuuming or cleaning trash from the family car. At this age, your child can be assigned the duty of loading the dishwasher and emptying it. He can put away the dry dishes, silverware and pots and pans. For the 7- to 9-year-old, chores could include keeping his room neat and tidy on a daily basis.

    Chores for Tweens and Teens

    • Kids at this age may be a little irritated when it comes to doing chores because they would rather do other things such as texting, being on the computer or talking on the phone instead of household chores. But for preteens and teenagers, appropriate tasks include packing their own lunch, putting away the groceries and washing dishes by hand if there is no dishwasher. They can also fold and put away clothes and take the family pet out for a walk. For the teenager, responsibilities can include mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and cleaning the refrigerator and stove. Teens can be encouraged to cook dinner at least once a week once they learn how to fix a meal.

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