Kitchen Chores For Kids By Age

Child's hands washing plate in kitchen sink.Kids age 6 and up can rinse dishes and load the dishwasher.

Kitchen chores for kids by age. At what age can a child set and clear the table? When can a kid take out the garbage? Kitchen patrol isn't anyone's favorite chore, but it beats cleaning the bathroom hands-down. 

You could always give your kids the option of scrubbing the toilet if they're not in the mood to rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher.

Once a child reaches a particular skill or age level, he can generally do the kitchen chores for kids by age and those for the age groups below.

Kitchen Chores for Kids by Age 2 and Under:

  • Close cabinet doors and drawers.
  • Turn on the dishwasher.
  • Help set the table.

Kitchen Chores for Kids by Age 3 to 5:

Previous chores, plus:

  • Place dirty dishes on the counter.
  • Sponge down the play table.
  • Help unload the dishwasher.

kitchen Chores For Kids by Age 6 to 9:

Previous chores, plus:

  • Help make breakfast.
  • Do simple cooking tasks such as rinsing vegetables.
  • Set and clear the table.
  • Put dishes into the dishwasher.
  • Wipe up spills on countertops and on the kitchen table.
  • Wipe the table, chairs, high chair, counters, and cooktop or range.
  • Wipe down interior of the microwave.
  • Sweep or vacuum the floor and damp mop any spills.
  • Bring groceries in from the car.
  • Help put away groceries.
  • Empty and wipe wastebaskets clean, using disinfecting wipes.

Kitchen Chores for Kids by Age 10 to 13:

Young girl drying dinner plate.Unloading the dishwasher is a suitable chore for kids age 2 and up.

Previous chores, plus:

  • Pour beverages for meals.
  • Help hand-wash dishes.
  • Unload the dishwasher.
  • Disinfect countertops.
  • Surface clean the fridge. (This would include a lesson on reading package expiration dates and removing expired food from the interior.)

Age 14 to 17:

Previous chores, plus:

  • Prepare meals.
  • Clean and disinfect the sink.
  • Organize the pantry.
  • Scrub or strip and wax floors.


You Might Like These:

  • These house chores for kids by age are organized by frequency of chores (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, yearly) and by room.

    House Chores for Kids by Age, Room & Frequency

    These house chores for kids by age are organized by frequency of chores (daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, yearly) and by room.

  • Party clean up with kids. The party is over - and the mess remains. It's time for party clean up. Kids can help with these post-party jobs so everyone can call it a night.

    Party Clean Up With Kids

    Party clean up with kids. The party is over - and the mess remains. It's time for party clean up. Kids can help with these post-party jobs so everyone can call it a night.

  • House cleaning with kids is easier if it's fun. And if home cleaning is fun for the kids, they'll clean longer and do a better job, too.

    House Cleaning With Kids: 5 Fun Games

    House cleaning with kids is easier if it's fun. And if home cleaning is fun for the kids, they'll clean longer and do a better job, too.

  • Here's a guide to home office cleaning chores for kids. After all, since they often help muck it up, why shouldn't they help clean it up?

    Home Office Cleaning Chores for Kids by Age

    Here's a guide to home office cleaning chores for kids. After all, since they often help muck it up, why shouldn't they help clean it up?

  • This guide to bedroom kids chores by age can help keep cleaning expectations for children realistic. Once a child reaches a certain age or skill level, he can generally do the bedroom kids chores for his age group and the age groups below.

    Bedroom Kids Chores by Age

    This guide to bedroom kids chores by age can help keep cleaning expectations for children realistic. Once a child reaches a certain age or skill level, he can generally do the bedroom kids chores for his age group and the age groups below.

  • Weekly kids chores by age. A list of weekly kids chores and the age at which a child can reasonably be expected to complete them.

    Weekly Kids Chores by Age

    Weekly kids chores by age. A list of weekly kids chores and the age at which a child can reasonably be expected to complete them.

  • 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.

  • Assigning kids chores by age. Getting kids to help with cleaning isn't easy, especially in the beginning. This guide to kids chores can help.

    Assigning Kids Chores by Age

    Assigning kids chores by age. Getting kids to help with cleaning isn't easy, especially in the beginning. This guide to kids chores can help.



Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.