Getting your kids involved in household chores at an early age has so many benefits. When you give young children chores to complete, they begin to gain a sense of responsibility, self-reliance, and empathy. They learn skills that will carry with them throughout the rest of their lives, including time management, prioritizing tasks, and basic organizational abilities.

If you want your child to start developing these behaviors and abilities, then you should get them participating in household chores as soon as possible. Here are some age-appropriate chores that your child can do to help out around the house:

Toddlers

• Put their toys away
• Put their dirty clothes in a basket or hamper
• Put clean clothes away
• Feed the pet
• Throw trash away in the wastebasket
• Fold simple materials, like pillowcases or washcloths

Kids ages 4 to 5

Any of the above, plus:

• Make the bed
• Empty the wastebaskets
• Bring in the mail or newspaper
• Clear the table
• Clean up spills
• Water the plants
• Organize items, such as utensils, clothing, or books
• Hang up towels in the bathroom
• Prepare their own snacks, like a bowl of cereal

Kids ages 6 to 7

Any of the above, plus:

• Sweep
• Fold laundry
• Put away the clean laundry
• Set and clear the table
• Help make and pack lunch
• Keep their bedroom organized and clean

Kids ages 8 to 9

Any of the above, plus:

• Vacuum
• Wash the dishes
• Put away groceries
• Help make dinner
• Prepare snacks
• Take pet for walks
• Take the trash out
• Weed and rake leaves
• Dust the furniture
• Clean the bathroom

Ages 10 and older

Any of the above, plus:

• Mow the yard
• Do the laundry
• Mop the floors
• Make easy meals
• Clean the kitchen
• Wash the family car
• Clean the inside of the fridge
• Iron clothes
• Wash windows
• Help take care of younger siblings
• Change the bedsheets

Tips to consider:

Communication.

It’s important to remember that the way you talk about chores will directly impact your child’s willingness to participate in them. Children are more likely to respond to “Let’s do our chores” rather than “Do your chores,” because it emphasizes that chores are not just tasks but a way of taking care of other members of the family.

Focus.

By putting the focus of chores on taking care of the family, your children will be more likely to want to share the responsibility of the family. They will be more willing to do the chores because they feel that they are contributing to the family’s overall success.

Timing.

Scheduling a chore time is a good way to maintain consistency every day and to avoid the all too common “I forgot” excuse. Keep in mind that children will not always get it done right the first time and you will need to supervise them during chore-time until they get the hang of things.

Allowance?

Allowances are not necessary for completing chores, however, it is strictly up to you whether or not you think you should give one. Some parents believe that allowances are a good way to teach financial responsibility and are a way to simulate a job-type experience. Other parents believe that participating in chores is just another way of participating in family life and being a part of the family community is not something that should be paid off.

Cranium Values

Teamwork is one of our core values here at Cranium Academy. We believe that when parents and their children work together, both will benefit from the collaboration. Kids will gain a learning experience and life-long skills by doing their chores, while parents might have some of the stresses of housekeeping lifted off of them.