Age Appropriate Chores for All Age Groups – The Complete Guide With Tips

One family – different ages – different personalities. And as a parent you must find ways to have synergy and keep order. Knowing how to best make use of each person’s abilities is a start. Use our list of age appropriate chores to best organize tasks at home.

Knowledge is power! Even in running your home! Getting chores done around the house is a common challenge in many households, especially if you ask the kids to get involved. But our list of age appropriate chores for all age groups will help solve—at least some of—this issue.

Learn more about how kids view chores, what motivates them and what is safe to ask them to do—and your family may get more done, with fewer issues along the way.

 

When Can Children Start Doing Chores?

More often than not, adults tend to underestimate children’s abilities. Did you know experts view kids as young as two years old already skilled enough to perform certain household duties? They may not be able to help you unclog the drain just yet, but they can help you keep order in their rooms.

So no! You don’t have to pick up everyone’s toys anymore! And your older children can help with an extensive list of chores AND get it right. What’s more, it helps build their confidence and helps to turn them into mature adults.

However, it’s vital to pair the job with the kid with the right abilities. Also, understanding exactly how your child views chores can help you motivate them to give their best.

Here’s what, when and how to delegate age appropriate chores to your offspring.

 

Age Appropriate Chores Lists

 

Toddlers: 2-3 Years Old

How They Think

This is actually an easy age group to assign tasks to. So, although the list of age appropriate tasks is short, the kids may complete them with less complaints than you expect. Why?

• Kids love learning and they learn by watching others. So, asking them to follow your lead will be met by enthusiasm.
• Toddlers, in most cases, like the idea that they’re helping you. So, inviting them to assist you in a task will usually motivate them.

 

Parents must just remember that a large amount of supervision is still necessary for any task you assign.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

• Cleaning up a spill
• Picking up toys or clothes and placing it into an appropriate container like a laundry bag or toy bin
• Helping to load the washing machine
• Dusting open surfaces
• Refilling a pet’s food bowl

 

Helpful tip: for dusting, put a sock over each of your child’s hands, rather than them fumbling with a large cloth. This may also seem more fun to little ones.

 

Smaller Kids: 4-5 Years Old

How They Think

If you started giving your child chores at age two or three, they will now probably complete those chores without your help or even supervision. Also, they may still have the desire to help you around the house.

You can now challenge them to learn more tasks because their development has led to better hand-eye coordination. Therefore, you may have more peace of mind when they have to handle breakable items.

Also, their cognitive abilities enable them to remember and follow more intricate instructions. So, communicate your wishes verbally, show them once and then see how they do by themselves.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

Along with the tasks above, you can add the following to their responsibilities:

• Tasks that require sorting and matching, such as dividing laundry into white and colored piles or putting together pairs of socks after they’ve been washed
• Carrying in groceries
• Setting or clearing the table—they may still need guidance with neatly placing plates and cutlery in their appropriate places
• Gardening tasks like pulling out weeds or watering flowers
• Making his or her bed

 

Children: 6-7 Years Old

How They Think

Unfortunately, you’ve now reached the age where your kid isn’t excited about chores just because it’s helping you. Rather use their desire to be independent as a powerful motivator.

For example, give them a task and allow them to complete it without you being present. Let them enjoy showing you what they accomplish on their own.

This is also an age where a chore tracker app like Enzo becomes valuable. These little ones will find it so much fun to tick off each job they’ve done, via the chore app on their iPhone or other device. They’ll use that action to proudly tell you they’ve once again managed ‘on their own’.

Yes, you may have to give tips about doing tasks better, but over time they can become a great help around the house.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

Safe tasks they can try on their own:

• Fold laundry
• Empty indoor trash bins and carry out the trash for collection
• Sweep a floor or rake the yard
• Make themselves a basic school lunch
• Tidy their rooms

 

They may also enjoy doing activities with you, so add a fun element and have them help with dinner or pack the dishwasher.

 

Children: 8-9 Years Old

How They Think

Here, as above, your child wishes to show off his or her independence. However, their development means you can entrust a lot more to them, even if you’re not present. They may also want to show they can take on responsibilities like other, older family members.

Asking them which tasks on your chore wheel they think they can handle can be a good place to start. Since they are ‘choosing’ the tasks they take responsibility for they will be more positive about it, wanting to prove themselves. In addition, having them tick off an item on a chore calendar on the fridge or a chore tracker app will to some extent motivate them to finish tasks they start with.

Don’t be surprised if this age group starts rebelling about doing chores. It’s normal, especially for those with strong personalities. Stay patient in keeping them motivated and challenging their skillsets.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

If your child has proven his or her sense of responsibility, they can take on the following without you always being present:

• Walking the dog
• Unpack and pack away grocery items
• Help with meal preparation such as peeling vegetables or basic kitchen tasks like making toast
• Vacuum open spaces

 

You can also start teaching more intricate tasks such as sewing on a button, correctly washing the car or preparing their own snacks and meals. Have them do it independently when you know they can perform the task safely.

 

Tweens: 10-12 Years Old

How They Think

More and more, these children may lose their enthusiasm and challenge you about the reasoning behind chores. But age appropriate chores are there to teach responsibility so don’t budge once you’ve assigned a task.

They shouldn’t need regular reminders anymore since they have the ability to remember and plan their days. But chore trackers with automatic reminders may come in handy. You don’t have to check up on them yourself but you can keep an eye on their progress. This way, you won’t be surprised when you get home and find the dishwasher isn’t packed yet. At least you can plan your strategy ahead of time, such as discussing the matter or turning it into a fun chore game.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

With skills in place and the ability to be responsible, you should have peace of mind asking your tween to:

• Prepare a basic meal for the family
• Pack and unload the dishwasher
• Wash the car
• Fill the washing machine and put it on

 

Teens

How They Think

Teens that really want to rebel may hint at not being able to do some tasks. But in reality, during their teenage years your children have the cognitive and physical abilities to perform most tasks that adults do.

Yes, they may still need your guidance, but ‘can’t’ isn’t a proper excuse. One motivating factor can be to get them excited about having the skills to one day move out the house and live on their own successfully.

Teens may also enjoy tasks related to their hobbies and talents. For example, the sibling who loves cooking may like cleaning out the fridge, checking that the basics are always in the pantry and helping you compile the shopping list.

 

Tasks for This Age Group

Despite them rolling their eyes at you, add some of the following to teens’ to do lists:

• Cleaning bathrooms thoroughly, including drains and polishing fittings. It’s essential to managing their own homes one day.
• Ironing clothes, without burning them.
• Cleaning the fridge.
• Doing some shopping on your behalf and learning to manage the grocery budget.
• Mowing the lawn.

 

In Summary

Take the time to understand your child in his or her current stage of development. Then pick age appropriate chores that he or she can feel proud accomplishing. That’s how you spark kids’ confidence AND have a more organized household.

Using the Enzo app will keep everyone informed and you can use it as soon as your children get their first mobile devices. All thanks to its user friendliness! Who doesn’t like ticking off an item on a to do list, right?