You may be wondering what might be appropriate ways to have your kids help around the house. Here’s a list I found in the book “Positive Parenting from A to Z,” by Karen Joslin. Remember your child can do anything from his or her own list and younger.
Chores for Kids Ages 2 1/2 – 3 1/2:
Wipe up their own spills
Pick up toys
Wipe baseboards
Help set the table
Dust
Put groceries on lower shelves
Sweep floors with handheld broom
Run hand held vacuum over crumbs
Help with hygiene – brush teeth, use toilet, wash body, brush hair
Choose clothes
Dress themselves
Feed pet
Help bake – dump and stir
Match socks
Chores for Kids Age 4:
Empty wastebaskets
Take out garbage
Help make lunches
Prepare breakfast
Set & clear the table
Make bed
Pick up Room
Mix juice
Get the mail
Help with Yard Work
Hang up towel and washcloth
Begin to fold clothes
Hang clothes
Chores for Kids Age 5:
Help with meal planning
Make own lunch for school
Make simple breakfast and clean up afterward
Pour drinks
Tear lettuce for salad
Clean mirrors and windows
Wipe counters
Separate whites and colored for laundry
Sweep porch
Answer phones
Clean our Car
Fold clothes
Learn to tie shoes
Put away outdoor toys
Water Plants
Peel Vegetables
Chores for Kids Age 6:
Choose clothes appropriate for weather or special events
Cut vegetables with supervision
Make simple food
Gather wood
Rake
Pull weeds
Clean scrapes
Straighten and clean drawers
Chores for Kids Age 7:
Care for your own bike (wipe it off, put it away, use a lock)
Write down phone messages
Wash pets
Train pets
Get up and go to bed on their own
Be in charge of lunch money and notes for school
Iron simple items like napkins with supervision
Scrub bathtub and sink
Clean toilets
Wash plastic trash baskets
Remove sheets to take to laundry
Fold laundry
Help put sheets on the bed
Put dishes in dishwasher
Chores for Kids Age 8:
Fold napkins and set table properly
Mop floor
Run own bath
Change into play clothes without being told
Sew buttons on clothes
Sew tears in seams
Pick fruit from trees
Dead head flowers
Clean up animal messes in yard or accidents in house
Help paint
Write letters
Chores for Kids Age 9:
Operate washer and dryer
Use grocery list and comparison shop
Cross street unassisted
Prepare box mixes
Prepare family meal with help
Plan own party
Lean about banking
Learn to sew, knit or weave
Make coffee, tea or juice and pour it
Clean car inside and out
Be responsible for pet
Chores for Kids Age 10:
Care for younger siblings with parents still home
Handle small sums of money
Mow grass with supervision
Wash pots and pans
Clean kitchen
Keep track of own schedule
