Chore List for Kids by Age and Getting Kids on Board

Have you implemented a chore list for kids in your home? Do you know that at any age from 2 and above, kids can help with chores around the house? Find out how your kids can benefit from doing chores and help them feel great about it.

Chores are routine tasks in the house to be completed. Chores can be an annoyance to kids but are necessary.

Parents do chores every single day, and that’s a given to keep the household running, and kids can help too. Having a chore list will guide your kids to follow based on their age range. 

A chore chart for kids that post all the tasks needed to be completed can be written, typed, or printed to keep a visual reminder. Reading in younger kids might not have been mastered; it will be enough to use images of their assigned tasks.

How Do Kids Benefit from Doing Chores at Home?

• Doing chores teaches kids the meaning of responsibility.
• It also teaches them to build self-reliance.
• It can boost their self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Chores reinforce the value of teamwork and being dependable.
• It teaches them essential life skills.
• Chores promote respect among the household members by witnessing how they can contribute to cleanliness or add to the home’s mess. 
• It develops a sense of belongingness and plays a big part in caring for the family.
• It shows them the value of time management and setting priorities.

How to Persuade your Kids to Participate in Housework

Set Your Expectations as Realistic They Can Be

• Parents will have to consider the age of their kids when assigning chores. Don’t assign duties that aren’t up to their level and end up frustrating them and yourself.
  
  
  
• Also, it could be that you want things done a certain way; however, if you’re going to redo or re-adjust how your kids completed their chores – resist that urge. Perfect is not the end goal here; done is enough. 

Be Patient, and lots of them.

• When your 3 years old decides to help you fold newly washed clothes, take the time to slow down. Show them how to fold a shirt; step-by-step instructions. At first, they won’t get it right away. But as you continue to do hands-on folding lessons with your kid, they’ll eventually have it down as they practice.
  
  
  
• Same thing with other chores that are new to younger kids, repetition is key in mastering their skills in a particular chore.
  
  

• Sometimes being quick and efficient gets thrown out the window when teaching your kids tasks around the home. So be ready to spend as much time as you can for kids to grasp the task assigned to them. 

Show support and appreciation. 

• As your kids perform their tasks without prompting, tell them you witness it and thank them for showing initiative in completing the chore. Most significantly, your child will know that their work is appreciated when they hear you say it. They’ll also feel more capable and supported.
   
  
  
• Make sure to ask them if there’s another need to show them how to do a newer chore again. Let your kids understand that you are there for them; you’re ready to guide them.
   
  
• Doing the chore together can also help your kid get oriented with the task, and you both get to bond as well. 

Photo Credit: pixelshot

Make the chore fun to do

• If your kids love listening to upbeat music, blast off the speakers while doing chores. When it’s time to pick up the floor, and my kids aren’t in the mood to do it, I play the clean-up song and start picking up. Then they’ll follow my lead and even finish before I do. 
  
  

• We also do a short TV time when it’s folding “your clothes” time. Yard work on Saturday is one of our morning chores as a family. They get to run around while we gather items around the garden. 
  
  

• Sorting clothes by colors is a fun way for your kids to do laundry with you. They’ll be delighted to extend a helping hand when tasks are done happily and fun. 

Be consistent

• Chores become part of their everyday routine. When kids know what’s expected of them, chores tend to get done without a fuss. For example, making their beds in the morning knows that this chore gets done first. Then other tasks follow. 
  
  
  
• Reminding your kids about their chores doesn’t need to be on repeat every single time. Nagging about chores makes them not want to do them in the first place.
  
  
  
• Why not introduce a chore chart. A chore list for kids can also be pinned on the refrigerator or calendar, or a simple chore chart printed out for them to see. 

Starting Early On

• Introducing chores to your kids can begin when they’re interested in helping you with simple tasks such as picking up toys or books. 
  
  
  
• The complexity of the tasks will grow as your kids’ age. The key to getting them motivated is to show appreciation and rewards for positive behaviors.

Photo Credit: Getty Images Signature

Encourage Open Discussions

• When their chores are consistently left undone or incomplete, get into the habit of having a family meeting at the end of the week and review what happened. 
  
  
  
• Ask your kids for input or solutions in tackling the obstacles arising from not doing or completing their chores.
  
  
   
• Provide positive feedback on completed chores to promote morale and cooperation. 

Showing Them That You Complete Your Chores too

• What better way to model, especially to younger kids that mommy and daddy are doing their chores at home. 
  
  
  
• Your kids are constantly observing and watching your moves. They may even copy what you do, like wiping the table, or they might want to try washing the dishes too.
  
  
  
• As soon as they start asking you if they can help, YES – grab that opportunity as a learning moment. 

Reward System

• I know this part is to each their own. Families decide what works best for their own tribe. It can be adjusted to your family’s specific needs; one system may work now that kids are younger and may need to be changed again as they get older. 
  
  
  
• If money incentives are given at the end of the week with completed chores, then make it known. 
  
  
  
• If chores are done because you are part of the family and allowances are given separately from completing chores, then have an open discussion.
  
  
  
• And if the reward system falls under-earning privileges after completing a week of chores, then make sure everyone is on the same page.
  

Now let’s go over the list of age-appropriate chores for kids.

Here is the Chore List for Kids By Age:

2-3 years old Kids Chores List

The kids within this age range manifest an eagerness to help. So, take advantage of these early years of exploring and wanting to help out. And sure enough, they can be a great help.

Their completed tasks may not be pristine at this time; however, the sense of accomplishment within them is a marvel and can be seen in their faces.

Kids in this age range appreciate stickers, art items, and toys as rewards for helping out.

• Pick up books and toys around.

• Put clothes on hanging hooks. 

• Put dirty clothes in the laundry bin.

• Set the placemats on the dinner table.

• Help make the bed.

• Help wipe spills and messes.

• Start to sort socks/pile up books with guidance.

4-5 years old Chores for Kids Checklist

These preschoolers are gaining confidence and want to show independence. Let them practice these traits through chores. In addition, they are eager to explore new things around their environment.

As we know, they are a curious group and desire to understand how things work. So take this chance to show them how to clean an item properly or sort it by colors or shapes.

Preschoolers appreciate the same rewards such as stickers, toys, or other specific items of interest when they complete their tasks.

• All previous chores listed

• Making their beds without guidance

• Putting away lunch box and school backacks in their proper place

• Setting and Clearing the table

• Light gardening: watering the plants, pulling out weeds 

• Sorting socks and pairing gloves

• Help folding clothes and putting them in the closet/drawers

• Carry light groceries and help arrange the pantry

• Wash plastic dishes and utensils with supervision

• Help unload the dishwasher

• Dust appliances and windows

• Feed pets

6-10 years old Kids Appropriate Chore List

As your kids begin to take on more responsibility, their enthusiasm for doing chores may dwindle, or they may even rebel. Or it may be the opposite.

So take a deep breath, Mama.

This shift doesn’t mean it’s going to get worse; your patience and your kids’ attitude will need some flexibility this time around.

You can encourage your primary schooler by providing extra incentives, pocket money, and even favorite outings/activities that they can look forward to.

• All previous chores listed.

• Clean their bedrooms/Make Beds.

• Pick up things from the floor.

• Do vacuum

• Sweep the floors

• Empty the dishwasher

• Empty the dryer (their clothes)

• Fold their clothes and put them away

• Empty their bedroom garbage into the big trash bag to take out.

• Keep their bathroom tidy

• Help prepare meals and clear the kitchen

• Help with garden/yard work

• Assist in giving pets bath

Photo Credit: Gemütlichkeit

11-13 years old Kids Checklist of Chores

The age range during these years may need balancing in handing out chores. Yes, your preteen can handle more complex tasks and responsibilities. Yet, taking the time to listen to them and come to an agreement on chores will take you far beyond the start of power struggles.

The aura can become tense, and they may be resentment towards you.

Be clear about your expectations and remind them that doing chores help the whole family and home management. 

The same thing as above is to set up a reward system that motivates your kids to do their chores. For example, you can provide additional playtime on their favorite games, tokens for activities they like, or simply an allowance for them to spend on items they want.

• All previous chores listed.

• Clean their bathroom.

• Mop the floors

• They can do independent laundry with their clothes.

• Take out the trash for pick-up.

• Help unbuckle younger siblings in the car.

• Can watch younger siblings at home; parents are around the house.

• Heat food for themselves or cook a simple dish.

• Help with the grocery and prep ingredients.

• Help clean the car.

• Organize books and school supplies

• Help clear the garage.

14 years old and above Chore List

Teenage years can become challenging with chores getting done on time. Their sleep habits can change, their moods are unpredictable, and their activities are increased. Time management and accountability are good traits to strengthen these years.

Also, discipline and organizational skills are encouraged. Active listening and openly discussing chores with them go a long way. 

Your Kids can do chores as quickly or as efficiently as an adult. However, taking on the complex tasks that are challenging to handle can give them a sense of accomplishment in the end. 

Teenagers may respond to more rewards related to independence, more screen time, and having more time to be with friends. Allowances can also become part of the reward system; it will also serve as a lesson on managing money and being responsible. 

Additionally, through chores, you can help your kids prepare themselves to be ready for the real world, to be self-sufficient and responsible.

• Mow the lawn

• Help clean the house (bathroom, kitchen, living room)

• Do laundry for their own or family’s clothes

• Update grocery lists and prepare/cook meals

• Clean Furniture/Appliances

• Wash windows and wipe doors

• Clear out the fridge and clean it

• Babysit younger siblings only for a short time without supervision

• Iron clothes as needed. 

• Grab mail from the mailbox and get packages at the front door. (16 and above)

• Independent pet care; including walks with pets (16 and above)

• Do small grocery runs (16 and above)

Final Thoughts on this chore list for kids

Every family works differently in managing their homes. So chores given to kids can also vary depending on every family’s circumstances and kids’ ages. 

Setting out appropriate chores accordingly and supporting your kids along the way will make tasks easier to accomplish. Your kids will feel they’re essential, part of the team and that they can actively contribute at home. 

Assigning chores to kids is part of parenting, and kids performing tasks learn the value of responsibility, accountability, independence, and, most importantly, essential life skills. It also solidifies the bonding circle and sense of belongingness through doing chores as a family.

Through chores at home plus a chore list, your kids will be able to transition as they grow older and become independent and responsible adults in the community. 

Isn’t it one of the purposes of doing chores early on? Then take the lead and encourage your kids to complete their duties and responsibilities at home.

What is your take on giving chores to your kids at any age? How did chores make them feel? Let me know in the comment below.

If you found this post helpful, please share them with your families and friends.