As our children grow, we help them build confidence, maturity, and responsibility. One simple way to encourage this is by giving them age-appropriate chores. Tasks that match their abilities give kids a sense of pride, independence, and accomplishment—and they also give parents a little extra help.
If you are wondering where to begin, here are helpful chore ideas for toddlers through teens.
Chores for Toddlers
Toddlers love to be helpers. They probably can’t sweep the floors or load the dishwasher yet, but they can certainly put their dirty laundry in the basket! Or for a mom, dad, sibling, or grandparent. Additionally, if they receive high praise and positive reinforcement for a job well done, regardless of its simplicity, it will encourage them to do more.
Toddler Chore Ideas
- Getting diapers or wipes for their sibling
- Hanging up their jacket and putting away their shoes
- Putting away their toys when they are done playing
- Wiping up their spills
- Straightening pillows and blankets on the couch
- Assisting with loading and unloading the washer and dryer
- Helping get the mail from the mailbox
Related: Easy Ways to Teach Your Kids to Be Helpers
Chores for Preschoolers
As your toddler becomes a big kid, they can take on more significant responsibilities. However, this may include a bit of heavier lifting and even doing safe things unsupervised. Also, you can likely teach your child to do tasks in a few steps at this age. So, consider asking for their help folding towels and putting them away. It doesn’t have to be overly complex, but it will help build their soft skills and boost their confidence.
Preschool Chore Ideas
- Help to set the table
- Clear their dishes from the table
- Wash plastic and unbreakable cups and dishes
- Dry dishes and put them away in safe-height cabinets and drawers
- Wipe down the table and counters after meals
- Help with the family pet with things like feeding, letting them outside, or crating
- Lay out their clothes for the next day
- Make their bed
- Put backpack and school things in a designated spot
- Pack snacks and water bottles for school or daycare
Chores for Elementary School Children
When your child is in elementary school, they can help with plenty of household chores. They can also do more heavy lifting as they become physically stronger. At this age, kids can start taking on more challenges, such as light cooking and using a vacuum. Therefore, chores for kids in primary grades should be able to be done independently with little supervision.
Elementary Chore Ideas
- Vacuum
- Take out the trash and recycling
- Pick up their room daily
- Take clothes out of the laundry and fold them
- Put laundry away in drawers and closets
- Help an adult prepare a meal
- Rake the yard and help pull weeds
- Water the flowers and grass
- Organize their toys and books
- Sweep the floors
Related: Ways to Make Chores Fun for Kids
Chores for Middle School Children
Chores for kids in middle school may become a bit of a challenge. Although the work itself should not be overly complicated, getting the kids to do it can be challenging. Undoubtedly, as children age, they tend to want to do their own thing and may not want to take their parents’ direction. This may be a time when parents incentivize chores. The older a child is, the more independence they desire, so giving a privilege or monetary reward, such as an allowance, for going above and beyond is not necessarily a bad idea.
Middle School Chore Ideas
- Mop the floors
- Carry in and put away groceries
- Make and pack their lunches for school
- Help take care of younger siblings
- Take the dog for a walk
- Help older neighbors with tasks
- Manage their homework and school needs
- Do their laundry
- Clean the bathroom
- Dust the furniture
Chores for High Schoolers
When your child is high school-aged, they are genuinely on the brink of adulthood. However, they need to apply everything they have learned in their daily lives. For them, it should be easy to remember to make their bed and take out the trash. It may not always happen, but hopefully, as they reach their teenage years, they will have had plenty of experience helping around the house, and nothing should be a big deal at this point.
High School Chore Ideas
- Wash the car
- Help with grocery shopping
- Go fill the cars with gas
- Babysit younger siblings
- Mow the grass
- Clean the windows
- Help cook family meals
- Run errands for adults
- Help with deep cleaning things like the garage or appliances
- Iron clothes and sew on buttons
- Get themselves up for school or work independently
Related: Valuable Life Skills Children Learn Through Chores
Chore Charts for Kids
Chore charts can help keep the household organized and give kids a visual reminder of what they’ve done — and what’s still on their list. From simple printables to fun sticker systems, here are some favorite chore chart ideas to use with your kids.
