What is a Normal Amount of Chores to Give Your Kids?

Every parent has this question at some point or another:

“Am I being too easy on my kids?”

“Am I treating them like my personal maid?”

You don’t want to fall into either extreme, as chores are supposed to teach your kids responsibility while still allowing them a healthy relationship with that. 

As we know well, there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to individual human beings - much less when they’re still growing. The answer to this question depends on many factors, including their age, their capabilities, and other considerations. 

Let’s get into these variables a bit more in-depth so we can answer this question by the time you’re done reading!

How Many Chores Should a Child Have? 

Let’s be clear: it’s not wrong to make your kids do chores. In fact, it’s even beneficial for your children to take on these tasks from a young age in order to help them become well-adjusted adolescents and independent adults! 

But where do we cross the line between “just enough” chores and pushing kids over the edge? 

It’s a question with an answer that has varied throughout the centuries, and the changes in our society as technology advances. We aren’t living in an episode of Little House on the Prairie, though. A lot of tasks have become automated or completely obsolete for the average American family, such as going to get water from a pump or a well or washing clothes on a washboard. 

Just because chores may seem easier these days, doesn’t mean you should overload your kid, though. This could end in them being unmotivated, uninterested, and ultimately opposed to helping out. 

Here are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding how many chores to give your kids.

Age

A toddler definitely shouldn’t have as much responsibility as a 16-year-old. However, toddlers should still help out around the house. Older children are able to operate washing machines, dishwashers, lawn mowers, and other devices to help clean up. 

As your child gets older, you can ask for their feedback in which chores they’d actually enjoy doing. This can help them feel like you value their input, their time, and will make them more invested in what they’re doing. Moreover, it can be a great way to boost their self-esteem and confidence!

Here are some of the most common chores, divided up by age: 

Chores for Toddlers (2-3 years old)

These tasks should be very simple, with the intention geared more towards them developing the habit of contributing to the household rather than the task itself. 

• Putting dirty clothes in the hamper

• Putting toys and books away

• Dusting low surfaces

• Wiping up spills

• Help set the table with older sibling

Chores for Preschoolers (4 to 5 years old) 

At this age, you can place a bit more focus on them doing the job correctly, walking them through the motions and helping them build confidence with their new skills. Consistency is still the most important focus, so a few short tasks every day is ideal. 

• Make their bed

• Brush teeth, hair, get themselves dressed

• Sort and match clean socks

• Dust and wipe down lower surfaces

• Make themselves simple snacks

Chores for Elementary School-Age Kids (5 to 12)

This is where the fun really begins! By this point, kids can take on more responsibilities. They’ve already taken more on by going to school, completing homework, and learning how to interact with others. 

Daily chores are still a good idea, as we’re focusing on consistency and forming the habit of doing these necessary tasks. However, make sure they aren’t becoming overwhelmed with school and chores. 

• Clean their bedroom

• Load/unload dishwasher

• Separate and wash clothes

• Bring in the mail

• Make themselves simple breakfasts, lunches, and snacks

• Sweep, vacuum, mop

• Rake the yard

• Feed and clean up after pets

• Rake the yard

Chores for Teenagers

By the time they’re teenagers, your child(ren) will know how to do most chores with confidence and no help needed. You may have them help out a bit with their younger siblings, such as picking them up from school or taking them to sports practice if they have their license. 

• Mow the lawn

• Babysit/help with younger siblings

• Walk the dog

• Grocery shop

• Do their own laundry

Should Kids Always Have Chores Every Day? 

Consistency really is a big factor in how well children follow through with their chores.

Assigning daily tasks when kids are younger is really important, as they’re crucial in developing life skills. However, when they are teenagers, many of the chores they do are not exactly daily tasks, like mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, or babysitting younger siblings. 

How to Implement Chores

One mistake that many parents make is assigning chores at the last second. Perhaps you see that their bathroom is dirty, and you feel yourself getting frustrated. You demand they clean up that moment, which disrupts whatever your kid was doing at that time. This is understandable, but not the most effective way to get them motivated to clean the bathroom. 

Instead, try setting up some kind of chore system where your child knows what they need to do, and when. You will be able to avoid possible conflict as well as giving chores a negative connotation. 

The best way to do this is with a chore chart. Back in the day, many parents would use physical charts. However, in our modern society, everything is fast-paced and we’re not always at home to check a physical chart. A surefire way to ensure your kids know exactly what they have to do, no matter where they are, is with a chore app like Family Daily. 

Family Daily allows you to assign and track chores on a convenient colorblocked calendar where you can send invites to special “events”, see upcoming tasks, and much more. Try it today for free!