Age-Appropriate Chores

To piggyback off of last week’s blog post and social media post on Wednesday, there have been a few discussions and messages regarding chores for children.

Some parents believe that chores are something children should be engaging in as early as possible, whereas other parents don’t believe their children should have to complete chores. Whatever works for your family and parenting style is what you do. However, I often encourage parents to assign some chores to their children as it is a great way to increase independence, self-esteem, confidence, and responsibility. Regardless of your stance on chores, there is no reason children cannot help out around the house, especially if it relates to a mess they made.

You will find below a list of age-appropriate chores for your children! Each age category builds on the other, so if you are looking for chores for your 7-8-year-old, chores for earlier ages would also be appropriate.

Ages 2-3

  • Brushing their teeth with caregiver assistance

  • Picking up blankets and other small and lightweight items

  • Putting toys away (again, small and lightweight)

Ages 3-4

  • Throwing trash away

  • Putting books away 

  • Putting dirty laundry in a designated spot like a hamper

  • Carrying their plate to the sink or counter

  • Dusting (fun activity: put a sock over their hand with a face on it and see how “dirty” they can make the sock)

  • Grab things from under their bed to help with clean up

Ages 5-6

  • Help prepare food with help 

  • Help wipe up messes

  • Unload the dishwasher as a team (e.g. give them the spoons to put away or small items like storage containers

  • Clean and clear the table (e.g. bring items to the counter or sink)

  • Set up the table for meals (e.g. napkins, utensils, empty plates, and cups)

  • Help carry lighter groceries inside

  • Organize toys with help (fun tip: label different bins for different toys and have them look for the correctly labeled bin)

  • Put shoes away

  • Sort colors for laundry

  • Give pets water

Ages 7-8

  • Water household plants with assistance

  • Dry dishes with help

  • Make easy snacks (e.g. putting snacks in bags for lunch, putting spreads on items like PB and apples)

  • Help with gardening

  • Wipe down doorknobs

  • Sweep larger rooms

  • Collect trash from around the house

  • Assist with raking leaves

  • Fold clothes and help match socks (GREAT color and pattern activity)

  • Make a simple salad

  • Vacuum with help

  • Wipe down counters

  • Feed pets with help

  • Write thank-you notes with help

  • Take a bath or shower by self

Parents also have the option of rewarding their children for the chores they complete, which I do recommend. Many parents go the route of money; however, I encourage less monetary rewards. Have your child earn points for each chore (the bigger the chore, the bigger the point value) that they can exchange for a bigger reward. Find rewards that aren’t monetary in nature (e.g. picking what’s for dinner one night, picking out the family movie to watch, extra screen time or staying up late, if they help with dishes they can get out of trash duty). Chores can be fun, you just might need to be creative with them!

Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, therapy, therapist, mental health, mental health awareness, it's ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, parents, parenting, children, child, kids, teens, adolescents, chores, self-esteem, responsibility, confidence, trust, independence, learning, growth, appropriate, helping, help, support, care, family