laundry chores for kids
by age

Age Appropriate ways kids can help on wash day

Here are the common laundry chores and the ages by which most kids are able to do them.

Once a child reaches an individual skill or age level, he can generally do the chores for his age group and those for the age groups below.

If your child has been doing some of the laundry with you for a few years now, he may be ready for some of the laundry tasks above his age level, if safety isn't an issue.

Here's a guide to laundry chores for kids by age.

Laundry Chores for Kids Ages 2 and Under

Laundry chores help kids learn an essential life skill.

• Put dirty clothes in the hamper if the top is low enough.

Ages 3 To 5

• Previous chore, plus:

• Remove clothes from the dryer.

• Help fold clothes.

• Take clean, folded clothes to his or her room.

• Air-tumble throw pillows in dryer.
  

Ages 6 to 9

• Previous chores, plus:

• Take hampers to the laundry room on wash day.

• Fold simple clothes items.

• Match socks from dryer.

Ages 10 to 13

Ages 14 to 17

• Previous chores, plus:

• Clean the dryer exhaust vent.

• Sew on buttons and mend torn clothes. (This could be a heavy-duty chore for extra pay or privileges.)

• Remove dust ruffle from beds to wash or dry-clean.