The Ultimate Guide to Chores for Kids
Ah, chores. No matter who or what, everyone has a strong opinion of them. When should they be done? What should be done? Should they be done at all? And if so, how can you get your kids to do theirs?
We know there’s a dishwasher out there somewhere that needs loading, so let’s jump right in and get all those questions answered for you!
Why Should Kids Do Chores?
Did you know that doing chores around the house as a kid is the biggest predictor of adult success? Success, in this case, is defined as completing an educational program, starting a career path, having solid relationships, and avoiding destructive behaviors.
It makes sense, too.
It’s not only about being able to be self-sufficient, though that’s important, as well. Children need to be able to feel they’re contributing and are valuable members of their families, which helps boost their self-esteem. By participating in chores, they also learn how to work together, responsibility, and have a greater sense of pride.
Think about it: have you ever had a pile of laundry that you know needs to be done, but you just keep avoiding it? Once you finally get it all washed and dried, you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You may even feel more motivated to tackle that toilet cleaning you’ve been putting off. Doing chores may not be fun, but it’s a part of life, and you feel better about yourself afterward.
While on the surface it may seem easier to just do the job yourself, kids need responsibilities, too. If you’re doing all the chores, they won’t typically take action on their own. Give them a task, though, and they have to rise to the occasion.
What Age Should Kids Start to Do Chores?
When it comes to chores, the sooner you get started, the better. Of course, a baby isn’t going to be able to do chores (but if you figure out a way, let us know). However, from the age of 3 to 4 years old, when your child starts asking if they can help with things, say “yes” - even if it may not be convenient. After all, if you keep saying “no”, they may no longer want to help.
The idea is to make helping out at home so normalized, that it just becomes a part of who they are. Springing chores on a child for the first time at 10 years old is probably not going to go down easily. If they start young, they’ll grow accustomed to participating in their household.
Toddlers love helping out, and while they may not be very helpful, it’s important to encourage that willingness. There are simple things they can do, such as pulling out clothes from the dryer, picking up toys and books, helping to feed pets, and so on.
Work as a team, and make sure to keep things positive. Something as simple as turning on some tunes while you work or a high-five after the chore is done can make a world of difference.
How Many Chores Should Kids Have?
At this point, there’s no doubt that children should have chores, but it’s crucial that they’re not overworked. After all, this isn’t Victorian England.
Taking on too much can make them start to dread their responsibilities, which is the opposite of what we want. If they’re in school, more than half an hour of chores on weekdays are going to take up too much of their time.
Rather than assigning chores by quantity, you’ll want to assign them tasks that take about 10 to 30 minutes, combined. Try not to give any more than 4 hours of chores per week.
Chore List for Kids by Age
Something to remember is that just because your child “graduates” into new chores doesn’t mean they don’t have to do some of the chores from when they were younger. Also, if the chores are more challenging than what they may be accustomed to, there’s nothing wrong with helping them out. One day, someone taught you how to use a vacuum cleaner – it’s your job to teach your kids.
Again, patience and understanding are very important here. Children all mature differently, and just because two children are the same age doesn’t mean they’ll always be capable of completing the same tasks. However, helping with “training periods” until they get them down can ensure everyone is comfortable and on the same page.
Chores for Toddlers
Chores for toddlers are more about the concept than actually getting the task completed in a timely manner. The priority here is just getting them started with cooperating with their family.
Help make the bed
Put away books and toys
Throw peels and trash in the garbage bin
Feed pets
Wipe down tables/counters
Put clothes in the hamper
Put small items in the dishwasher
Chores for Kids Aged 4 - 7
From 4 to 7, most children are still motivated to help out and enjoy being taught things one-on-one. They will now be able to take on slightly more challenging tasks or complete their current chores entirely on their own.
From preschool to early-elementary school age, they likely won’t require constant supervision. Here’s a list of chores for kids aged 4 - 7:
Use a handheld vacuum for light furniture cleaning
Dust with a sock on the hand
Help clear and set the table
Make bed on their own
Help put away groceries
Water plants
Help pull small weeds
Helping clean their room
Chores for Kids Aged 8 - 11
You may notice that at this age, your child’s enthusiasm for chores has dwindled.
However, they’ve also likely become more independent, which means they’ll be able to complete their chores all on their own. By incorporating charts, you can help motivate them and teach them how to keep track of which ones they’ve accomplished.
Here’s a list of chores for kids aged 4 - 7:
Clean up/feed pets
Vacuum, mop, and sweep
Take out the trash
Rake the yard
Put away clean clothes
Make their own snacks, breakfast, and lunches
Help with food prep
Get up on their own with an alarm clock
Chores for Kids Aged 12 & Up
From ages 12 and up, children will really start to appreciate a solid schedule rather than random chores tossed their way. Try to take their schedules into consideration and don’t be afraid to ask for a bit of input.
At this point, you do want to place more focus on consequences if tasks are not completed, as well as rewards if they are. Here are some chore ideas for kids aged 12 and up:
Helping with washing the car
Washing dishes
Helping prepare meals
Mowing the lawn
Babysitting younger siblings
Walking the dog/caring completely for pets
Cleaning bathrooms
Doing laundry
How To Teach Kids To Do Chores
So, how do you teach kids to do chores in the first place?
This is perhaps the most important aspect of all. Helping children do chores should be a pleasant and positive experience. If they feel intimidated or are worried about you getting upset, they’re likely always going to be averse to doing chores and not want to help out. It’s difficult to change that sentiment in the future.
However, if you start off on a positive note and make sure they know you’re happy and proud of the job they’re doing, they’re more likely to always feel up for helping out. Everyone likes feeling needed, and like what they’re doing matters.
Be Patient
Yes, it may be frustrating sometimes when you first show your child(ren) how to do chores. When toddlers are just starting out, it’s honestly going to be more of a hassle than a benefit to you (at the moment).
They’re going to slow you down, they may make mistakes, and you’ll sometimes have more work than you would if you just did it alone. However, try your best to not show frustration. Keep things light and know that eventually, it will all pay off.
Choose Age-Appropriate Chores
As we mentioned previously, every kid matures at their own pace. Once they master their current chores for a while, you can then move on to some more challenging ones.
How do you know if a chore is age-appropriate?
If your child gets frustrated, overwhelmed, or discouraged, they may not be ready yet for that chore. Take a moment to consider if the task you want them to do corresponds to the activities they’re already able to do on their own.
For example, if they’re already able to put their dishes in the dishwasher on a daily basis, you could realistically have them load the dishwasher as a chore. However, if they’re not yet able to make their own snacks, it’s not a good idea to include preparing food as a chore.
Consider the Timing of Chores
For little ones who aren’t in school yet, you have more flexibility when it comes to timing. However, for kids in school, consider their schedule and what would likely be most convenient for them.
Many kids prefer doing their chores right when they get home from school so they can get them over with and have the rest of the evening free. Some kids don’t, because they just got home and would like some downtime to rest before taking on more work. It doesn’t hurt to ask about their preference - after all, assigning chores is not for punishment.
Everyone Helps
Show your child that they’re not the only one who has to do chores. Rather, making sure everyone pitches in and contributes to the household will show them how to work together to create harmony. If you have more than one child, make sure everyone does their chores at the same time.
Remember, being a family is a team sport – everyone has to do their bit.
Recognize Them
When your child does their chores, make sure to find a balance between praising and recognizing their good effort. You don’t want to go overboard, because, after all, chores are a necessary part of life. However, giving them a high-five or telling them “good job” can really go a long way to associating responsibilities with a positive connotation.
How to Make Sure Your Kids Do Their Chores
Ah yes, the question as old as time. Prying your kid away from YouTube long enough to get them to clean their room can be a serious hurdle in itself.
Of course, we adults also know that chores aren’t usually our idea of “fun”, either. In fact, we’d rather do just about anything else. Why would that be different for kids?
The good news is that we have some tried-and-true tips for getting your child(ren) to do their chores with the least amount of resistance possible.
End Distractions
In this day and age where screens are everywhere, eliminating distractions can be a tall task.
However, it’s very much possible. Electronics are turned off and don’t come back on until chores are finished for the day. Make sure to remind your child that as soon as they complete them, they get their electronics (or whatever the distractor may be) again.
Set a Time Limit
If you don’t set a time limit, it may be bedtime by the time they actually get to their chores - or next year. We recommend making this time limit the same every time. For example, you don’t want to set a limit of 10 minutes one day and 20 minutes the next.
Say something like, “Let’s see if you can finish folding the laundry in 20 minutes tonight.”
Kids love competing, and it’s a great way to get them motivated. Not only that, but when you set a timer you don’t have to worry about nagging anymore. It’s simple - they either finish it when they’re supposed to or face the consequences.
If the chores are more difficult, then you can add more time. The idea isn’t to confuse kids or stress them out, but it is about discipline and actually dealing with their responsibilities. Make sure to check that they’ve done it the right way, too.
What happens if the chore(s) in question isn’t done in the allotted amount of time you’ve set? Perhaps they lose some time on their laptop, or their bedtime is set earlier that night. You can use your discretion on this.
Create a Schedule
This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. Structure is crucial for any kind of success, and household tasks are no exception. Having children do chores before school is only going to increase their stress levels, putting added pressure on them to get ready for school on time.
During the summer, doing chores in the morning may be a more convenient option. It gets them out of the way, leaving the entire day for them to go out and have fun, enjoy the nice weather, etc. without worry.
Regardless, you want to encourage the concept that responsibilities must be taken care of before free time. It shouldn’t be a situation of “if chores aren’t being done, they’re having fun”. It should be “if chores aren’t being done, they’re going to be bored”.
Don’t Use Chores as a Punishment
While chores aren’t exactly a load of fun, they’re not meant to be punishment or used to control kids.
Chores teach responsibility, and using them as punishment could make them resent that. If your child misbehaves, the consequence shouldn’t be doing the laundry, for example. Doing laundry is an expected responsibility, no matter if they’ve misbehaved or not.
Use a Reward System
Everyone loves rewards, and it’s easy to motivate both children and adults with them. After all, adults don’t typically go to work just for the fun of it. I don’t know anyone who would do their job if they weren’t getting paid for it!
Integrating chores with rewards can make a big difference. Even something like creating a chore chart can make them more exciting for children from 2 to 9 years old.
For example, you can put a checkmark next to their name every time they unload the dishwasher. Once they get 5 checkmarks, they get a prize or some type of reward. Perhaps that means staying up 30 minutes later than usual.
Should You Pay Your Kids to Do Chores?
Paying your kids to do chores is always a subject of debate among parents. Everyone seems to have a strong opinion on it, but it’s hard to come to a consensus. There are pros and cons to both methods.
There are parents who feel that kids shouldn’t be paid for doing chores that are expected of them, regardless. Others feel that paying them for contributing to their household can help them develop respect for earning money. If you feel your child will end up refusing to do chores unless they get paid for them, you may want to avoid that.
If you are financially comfortable with giving your child some money for doing chores, it could help motivate them. For example, if they have to be told more than once to do their tasks, they may lose a dollar from their reward.
Ultimately, paying your kids for doing chores all comes down to your family’s values and whether or not you feel it will have a positive influence on them.
How to Track Chores for Kids
Tracking chores is a fantastic idea and can be a great motivator for kids. Chore charts can show children what they’ve accomplished with an obvious, visual tool. They also help set clear routines and encourage consistency with expectations. Your kids won’t have to wonder about which chores they need to do, and when. Charts also encourage accountability, as there’s no way they can claim they didn’t know they needed to walk the dog on Tuesday when it’s listed on their chart.
You can ramp up the fun with chore charts by including a few “non-chore” tasks on the list of things to do. For example, you may include “play a board game with mom” or “take the dog to the park” if that’s something they enjoy doing. That way, you’re incorporating both work and play, which can encourage them more to do the not-so-fun stuff.
Chore Charts for Kids
When selecting a chore chart, there are a few considerations to take.
First, consider your kid’s developmental stage and how they can progress. Consider their age and what would be more engaging and interesting to them. For kids ages 2 to 6, sticker charts are a lot of fun! They get to pick out their stickers and take the action of putting them next to the corresponding chores, which can be very satisfying!
Magnetic charts have grown increasingly popular, which usually include magnetic cards for each type of task. Dry-erase and chalk charts are useful as you can easily edit them, and are reusable for as many times as you need. The downside is they can get messy and accidentally be erased.
Families who have multiple children may want to use one chore chart for everyone to use to avoid anyone feeling left out or like something is unfair. Alternatively, you could use a digital chore chart to keep everything running smoothly.
Digital Chore Charts for Kids with Family Daily
It sure seems like everything is going digital lately, doesn’t it? While analog certainly still has its own appeal, there are some significant benefits to doing things digitally. One of those is chore charts. You don’t have to choose one or the other, either. You could have a physical chore chart at home, and transfer it all over into a digital app like Family Daily.
With Family Daily, you can seamlessly distribute housework among all family members with shared to-do lists. Under each task, you can add a due date, track progress, and more. Each user can add their own, private to-dos, too! Older children will likely love that they can access their chore charts through Google and Apple Calendar, making planning that much easier.
