I’m often asked when a good time is to start giving children household chores and responsibilities and what, exactly, is age appropriate. I’ve decided the easiest way to respond to this is to break it down by age range. What follows is a list of basic responsibilities that are appropriate for kids ages 2-10+. Use these ideas as a starting point and feel free to add your own, as you see fit.
Chores for children ages 2 to 3
- Put toys away.
- Fill pet’s food dish.
- Put clothes in hamper.
- Wipe up spills.
- Dust.
- Pile books and magazines.
Chores for children ages 4 to 5
Any of the previous chores, plus:
- Make own bed.
- Empty wastebaskets.
- Bring in mail or newspaper.
- Clear table.
- Pull weeds.
- Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs.
- Water flowers.
- Unload utensils from dishwasher.
- Wash plastic dishes at sink.
- Fix bowl of cereal.
Chores for children ages 6 to 7
Any of the previous chores, plus:
- Sort laundry.
- Sweep floors.
- Set and clear table.
- Help make and pack lunch.
- Weed and rake leaves.
- Keep bedroom tidy.
- Pour own drinks.
- Answer telephone.
Chores for children ages 8 to 9
Any of the previous chores, plus:
- Load dishwasher.
- Put away groceries.
- Vacuum.
- Help make dinner.
- Make own snacks.
- Wash table after meals.
- Put away own laundry.
- Sew buttons.
- Make own breakfast.
- Peel vegetables.
- Cook simple foods, such as toast.
- Mop floor.
- Take pet for a walk.
Chores for children ages 10 and older.
Any of the previous chores, plus:
- Unload dishwasher.
- Fold laundry.
- Clean bathroom.
- Wash windows.
- Wash car.
- Cook simple meal with supervision.
- Iron clothes.
- Do laundry.
- Baby-sit younger siblings (with adult in the home).
- Mow lawn.
- Clean kitchen.
- Clean oven.
- Change bed.
- Make cookies or cake from a box mix.
Copywritten by Jo Frost
