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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • When doing laundry with kids, you'll need to go over the laundry basics to prep them for the dirty jobs ahead. These tips and strategies can help.

    Doing Laundry With Kids

    When doing laundry with kids, you'll need to go over the laundry basics to prep them for the dirty jobs ahead. These tips and strategies can help.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A simple guide to age appropriate daily kids chores by age that you can reasonably expect your child to help out with.

    Daily Kids Chores by Age

    A simple guide to age appropriate daily kids chores by age that you can reasonably expect your child to help out with.

  • Yearly kids chores by age. Which yearly kids chores can you reasonably expect kids to help with? Here's a simple guide to age appropriate annual chores.

    Yearly Kids Chores by Age

    Yearly kids chores by age. Which yearly kids chores can you reasonably expect kids to help with? Here's a simple guide to age appropriate annual chores.

  • Before you start bathroom cleaning with kids, gather your arsenal of cleaning supplies. Now, we'll cover cleaning each area of the bathroom in detail. Grab the kids!

    Bathroom Cleaning With Kids

    Before you start bathroom cleaning with kids, gather your arsenal of cleaning supplies. Now, we'll cover cleaning each area of the bathroom in detail. Grab the kids!