patio chores for kids by age

I use the term "chores" loosely because we're talking about cleaning patios and yards. But you get the drift, we're talking about keeping your patio and yard well-kept in all of its splendor, with help from the kids.

Here's a guide to which patio chores kids can do around the yard, organized by age group. Once a child reaches a certain skill or age level, he can generally do the chores for his age group and those for the age group below.

Of course, some of these patio chores need to be done each day, others once a week, and still others once a month or even less frequently. Use your best judgment for what gets done when.

Patio Chores for Kids Ages 2 and Under:

• Pick up outside toys.

• Collect snails in a pail.

Chores for Kids Ages 3 to 5:

• Previous chores, plus:

• Put away outside toys and games (and all their pieces) in the proper boxes or bins.

• Help with planting.

• Water outside plants.

• Debug plants.

• Sponge down the outdoor play table.

Chores for Kids Ages 6 to 9:

• Previous chores, plus:

• Hang up (pool) towel.

• Rake leaves.

• Sweep the patio and porches.

• Wipe clean the outside table and chairs.

• Do easy yard work such as weeding.

• Help test the pool or hot tub water.

• Help balance the pool or hot tub pH.

• Help clean the pool strainer baskets.

• Prepare recyclables for pickup.

• Clean doormats.
  

Chores for Kids Ages 10 to 13:

• Previous chores, plus:

• Take trash and recycling containers to the curb.

• Clean outdoor furniture.

• Plant plants and flower bulbs.

• Harvest vegetables.

• Mulch plants.

• Take compostable material to the compost pile.

• Cut flowers for the house.

• Vacuum the pool once a week.

• Scrub the pool sides occasionally.

• Fish surface litter out of a pool (with a grown-up's supervision, of course).

• Walk the dog.

Chores for Kids Ages 14 to 17:

Previous chores, plus:

• Mow the lawn.

• Wash exterior windows.
  

• Do yard work such as pruning.

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