Chores by Age
Teaching your children to do chores around the house takes practice and patience. On the one hand it is
easier and quicker to do these tasks yourself, but in doing so, you rob your children of learning to be a
responsible contributor to the family and the joy of a job well done. Granted, the bed won’t be made with precision, but it will be evidence that those little hands are learning. Get your step stool handy for little helping hands in the kitchen and let the summertime baking begin!
Ages 2-3 Years Old
*Brush their teeth with help
*Put toys away
*Pick up blankets and pillow
Ages 3-4 Years Old
All the chores above +
*Put books on the bookshelf
*Clean out from under the bed
*Carry plate to the sink after meals
*Put dirty clothes in the hamper
*Light dusting with sock on hand to help
Ages 5-6 Years Old
All the chores above +
*Help wipe up messes
*Keep shoes in the basket
*Sort colors for laundry
*Unload dishwasher as a team
*Fold the washcloths
*Dust the baseboards
*Help plant flowers
*Weed the garden with help
*Put groceries away with help
*Set the table after being taught
*Give the animals water/food
*Help carry in light bags of groceries
*Hang up towels in the bathroom
*Teach to organize toys
*Teach to snip fresh green beans and then assist
*Set the table properly
*Arrange stuffed animals neatly on bed
Ages 7-8 Years Old
All the chores above +
*Pick up toys around the house
*Make a simple salad
*Make a simple sandwich with help
*Write or draw thank you notes
*Sweep the front porch
*Sweep the back porch/deck
*Dust the furniture with assistance
*Use the dust buster for crumbs
*Wash, drain, and pull grapes off the stem/vine
*Place books on bookshelf
*Take a shower without help (level of maturity required)
*Bring in porch mats when it rains
*Pick up pinecones
*Make his/her bed
*Husk corn if strong enough (outside is less mess)
*Stir cake batter
*Help with infant – be a runner for Mom for diaper, etc.
*Fold own clothes and take to room
*Teach how to make bed with a slow release to do the task alone – it won’t be done perfectly
