Assigning Kids Chores
By Age

Brother and sister washing dishes.Assigning kids chores by age.

Assigning kids chores by age. Getting kids to help with cleaning isn't easy, especially initially. Besides, how many chores can you reasonably expect them to do?

This guide to assigning kids chores by age can help. I've found a good rule for dividing up the chores is to take each child's age, divide it by two, and round up when needed. 

This number should remain constant for each child, regardless of the number of chores that need to be tackled in a given week. 

Although the number of chores may be small, many need to be done each day, and this is a great way to get your kids used to helping out. 

Be There the First Time Your Child Tackles a Task

chores-kid-mom

Regardless of age, you'll want to be there the first time your child tackles a new task. Beginners need pointers for even the most straightforward jobs, such as washing dinner dishes by hand. 

What's second nature to us is a new experience for them. For example, you may have to explain which dishes should be washed first and why. 

You may need to show them how to stack the freshly washed items in the dryer rack, so they don't fall to the floor.

Assigning Kids Chores By Age

Using this system, an 8-year-old with six siblings would have the same number of chores as an 8-year-old only child. The point is not just to get the work done; the point is to teach your children responsibility and get some work done. 

chores-houseplant-20

After all, if you have only one child, it hardly seems fair to saddle her with all of your home chores. If chores are to be successful, they must be both fun and fair. And your supervision and enforcement must be consistent.

Here's an important caveat: By chores, I don't mean making the bed, clearing dishes from the table after a meal, or keeping your clothes on hangers and off the floor. 

Those are essential tasks that are done daily - period. They are just a part of the routine of daily life, like brushing your teeth. I refer to them as "personal virtues' for which completion is reward enough. No cash or barter changes hands. Zilch. Nada.

These tasks are so ingrained in my two older children that I can't recall the last time I had to ask them to make their beds. 

What I mean by "chores" are all those other cleaning and organizing tasks that contribute to our family's comfort and our home's overall tidiness.

These include sweeping the floor, raking leaves, folding laundry, changing bed linens, and

Below are kids' chores that certain ages can generally complete. Your child may be capable of doing a task sooner or later, depending on her concentration level, fine motor skills, or maturity. (Get a room-by-room chores guide.)

Once a child reaches an individual skill or age level, he can generally do the kid's chores for his age group and those for the age groups below. Keep these guidelines in mind when assigning kids chores.

Ages 2 and Under:

bedroom-chores-toddler-drawer-19
  • Get diaper
  • Put toys in bins or drawers
  • Put dirty clothes in the hamper if the top is low enough
  • Turn off the TV if the button is within reach
  • Wipe feet before coming inside
  • Close cabinet doors
  • Help set the table
  • Turn on the dishwasher

Ages 3 to 5:

  • Previous chores, plus:
  • Pull comforter up over bed
  • Place dirty dishes on the kitchen counter
  • Put away toys and games and all their pieces in the proper boxes or bins
  • Return books to bookshelves
  • Dust low furniture
  • Sponge down the play table
  • Help unload the dishwasher
  • Water plants
  • Remove clothes from the dryer
  • Help fold laundry
  • Take clean, folded clothes to his or her room

Ages 6 to 9:

yard-work-watering-19
  • Previous chores, plus:
  • Make the bed
  • Feed pets
  • Exercise pets
  • Clean pets' bowls and cages
  • Put away groceries
  • Help make breakfast
  • Set and clear table
  • Do simple cooking tasks such as rinsing vegetables
  • Put dishes in the dishwasher
  • Wipe up spills
  • Help wash car
  • Tidy bedroom
  • Vacuum, with help, depending on the machine's height and weight
  • Sweep floors
  • Empty wastebaskets
  • Prepare recyclables for pickup
  • Fold simple laundry items
  • Match socks from dryer
  • Hang up towel
  • Do easy yard work such as weeding and pruning with small shears
  • Rake leaves

Ages 10 to 13:

  • Previous chores, plus:
  • Pour beverages for meals
  • Help hand-wash dishes
  • Do a surface cleaning of fridge
  • Change bed linens
  • Clean bedroom
  • Clean windows
  • Take trash containers to the curb
  • Help clean garage
  • Shovel snow
  • Make lunch for school
  • Unload dishwasher
  • Disinfect kitchen and bathroom countertops
  • Sort, wash, and fold laundry
  • Mop floors
  • Clean the shower
  • Clean blinds
  • Wipe clean the car's dashboard and upholstery

Ages 14 to 17:

  • Previous chores, plus:
  • Clean toilet, sinks, and tub
  • Organize closet
  • Prepare meals

Getting kids to do chores can be a challenge. Here are some easy ways to get the kids chores going in your home.


You Might Like These:

  • At what age can a child set and clear the table? This quick guide for chores by age will help make kitchen cleaning with kids a snap.

    Kitchen Cleaning With Kids

    At what age can a child set and clear the table? This quick guide for chores by age will help make kitchen cleaning with kids a snap.

  • Spring cleaning with kids? Excited about cleaning? Yes, it really is possible that your kids will not only get excited, but moving, too with these tips.

    Spring Cleaning With Kids

    Spring cleaning with kids? Excited about cleaning? Yes, it really is possible that your kids will not only get excited, but moving, too with these tips.

  • Living room chores for kids. Here's a guide to which living room chores kids can do at what ages. Once a child reaches a certain skill or age level he do chores for the age groups below.

    Living Room Chores for Kids by Age

    Living room chores for kids. Here's a guide to which living room chores kids can do at what ages. Once a child reaches a certain skill or age level he do chores for the age groups below.

  • Pet chores for kids. At what age can a child help clean the litter box? Wash the dog? These pet chores by age can help you decide which chores are appropriate for your kids.

    Pet Chores for Kids by Age

    Pet chores for kids. At what age can a child help clean the litter box? Wash the dog? These pet chores by age can help you decide which chores are appropriate for your kids.

  • YTeaching kids household chores. You want household chores to be shared by everyone in the family. But are you sabotaging those beginner efforts instead of encouraging them?

    Teaching Kids Household Chores: 10 Rules for Teaching Kids

    YTeaching kids household chores. You want household chores to be shared by everyone in the family. But are you sabotaging those beginner efforts instead of encouraging them?

  • Why not just give up and close the door? Because bedroom cleaning with kids now will teach them the essentials they need to know as they go on in life.

    Bedroom Cleaning with Kids

    Why not just give up and close the door? Because bedroom cleaning with kids now will teach them the essentials they need to know as they go on in life.

  • Car chores for kids are a natural. They do help muck up the family ride, after all. So why shouldn't they help clean it?

    Car Chores for Kids by Age

    Car chores for kids are a natural. They do help muck up the family ride, after all. So why shouldn't they help clean it?

  • Each week, or at least once a month, clean your car's dashboard and doors. But plan to do your car cleaning with kids! They did help muck it up, after all.

    Car Cleaning With Kids

    Each week, or at least once a month, clean your car's dashboard and doors. But plan to do your car cleaning with kids! They did help muck it up, after all.