65 Age Appropriate Chores For Kids

Table of Contents How Chores For Kids HelpShould You Reward Your KidsAge Appropriate Chores For KidsWhat To Do…
child doing chores for kids with toys

Are you always the one who does the chores around the house, or do you have certain chores for kids especially chalked out too?

Some of you might feel it’s much easier and faster doing the chores around the house yourself, rather than getting after or nagging your kids to do those chores.

Some parents used to feel that why should they burden their kids with household chores, because it’s their own duty and responsibility.

But things nowadays have changed a great deal. With an effective parenting style you can achieve a great deal.

I’m sure when you were a child, even your parents must’ve asked you to contribute in the house by doing certain household chores – isn’t it?

I think it’s any day better for children to do chores around the house rather than throw their toys around, or be constantly plugged to their video games, watch television endlessly, or surf the Internet.

Doing household chores is an experience in itself for the kids. I’ve seen my kids enjoy doing what they do. However, it’s not always an enjoyable experience for some, but it is good for them nevertheless.

“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” ~ Phyllis Diller

How Chores For Kids Help

If you ask any parenting expert, they’d suggest that chores are good for kids of any age. Chores for kids benefit them and us parents, both.

I think you bond so much better with your kids when you teach them or do tasks with them, and they in turn know it’s good to share the responsibility and chores at home.

When kids help out, it makes them feel independent, confident, and brings a sense of responsibility in them. It boosts their self esteem and brings about a sense of achievement in them.

Kids love to have their way about, and I’m sure if you are a parent, you’d agree with that. So, they love to do things they are told, provided you make it a little interesting enough for them.

They love to lead and manage the household chores just like you. Chores for kids can be of any and many kinds, depending on their age and the amount they can do.

For example, you cannot ask a toddler to cut vegetables with a sharp knife, but you can certainly ask them to fetch you small things around the house.

Also, you shouldn’t expect perfection from the chores your kids do. It’s but obvious that you can do things much better than your kids, but you need to remember that they are just starting off.

So, encourage and motivate them for their little efforts, even if it’s not according to what you wanted. Or even if you have to re-do what they have done – it doesn’t matter!

When you appreciate their efforts, they feel like doing chores around the house all the more, and begin liking it too, if they didn’t initially.

Just feel happy that they are doing household chores, and be proud of the fact that they are learning new things while doing so.

Doing house chores make kids understand what all is needed to be done within the household. It teaches them valuable lessons about life, besides the actual skills.

Such house chores for children develop a good attitude to work, and they gradually get into the habit of working on their own when they grow up.

When you chalk out age appropriate chores for kids, don’t forget to demonstrate how to do the chores yourself first. Kids learn best when you show them how things are done.

Take care to supervise all such chores that might involve potential danger, just in case.

“It is amazing how quickly the kids learn the operation of the DVD, yet are unable to understand the vacuum cleaner.” ~ Etienne Marchal

Should You Reward Your Kids

Some smart kids will ask what will they get if they do the household chores! My kids started doing that when they grew up a little!

While some parents believe it’s good to reward kids or give them some incentive to work, but it slowly becomes a habit with them to only work when they are paid or rewarded, which isn’t right.

Kids should do chores because they are part of the family, and not because they want to be paid or seek something from doing these chores.

If you pay them, they might get a feeling that whenever they do some chore later in life, they always need to be paid or get something back from it.

However, you can always reward them in other ways by allowing them certain incentives like watching an additional hour of television, or treating them for an ice cream if they play their role well.

Of course, it’s a different matter if kids are trying to save or raise money for a cause or reason – then it’s still alright to pay them a little, but otherwise I don’t think chores should be paid for at all.

Age Appropriate Chores For Kids

There are various household chores for kids, and doing them depends more on their ability than age.

For instance, some kids are ready to make beds at four or five years, while others aren’t able to do till mature enough.

So, remember to keep your child’s age, ability, and maturity in mind when you assign them house chores.

Let me share a few chores that my kids did when they were young. Some of them are the ones that I taught them, while others are those they picked up seeing me or wanted to do on their own.

A few of these household chores are also what I’ve seen a few other kids carry out at different ages.

Chores For Kids Aged 2 to 3

Kids this small love being around their parents and observe closely as to what’s being done.

I would suggest not being too harsh on these young ones, if they don’t listen to you or don’t want to do certain chores.

However, you’ll notice that they are quite keen to learn things and do exactly what you do. Be with them, show them, and let them do things under your supervision at this age.

  • Pick up their toys and put them away. Remember, they may not want to do at times.
  • Dust around a little area. But first, please ensure your child isn’t allergic to dust.
  • Matching socks – makes a good skill for teaching them what is “same” and “different”.
  • Sweep a little, may be just for fun! But don’t let them touch any chemicals or wet themselves.
  • Stack up and tidy a few books and magazines.
  • Pick up clothes and put them in the wash basket.
  • Begin to dress self. You would need to teach them how to do that at first.
  • Help feed animals – your pets at home or the harmless birds.
  • Hang clothes on hooks. Make sure these hooks are at their height level and conveniently positioned.
  • Fetch diapers; though ensure that they are placed in a low and safe place.
  • Help fold towels or small clothes, again for fun sake and for the sake of learning!

Chores For Kids Aged 4 to 5

All the chores mentioned above in addition to these –

  • Clear the dining table.
  • Dress self, though you need to supervise them at times.
  • Use the vacuum cleaner (small handheld one) to pick up debris or small crumbs. But first, you need to make them aware of the electrical hazards of manhandling the equipment.
  • Empty out the wastebasket, which has only little dry trash in it.
  • Retrieve the mail, which is easily accessible to them.
  • Make their own beds, though you could help them a little.
  • Wash and dry their toys. If soap is used, make sure it’s all done under your supervision.
  • Bring in the newspaper from the outside in the morning.
  • Pull up weeds and water the plants. Ensure that the area outside is clean and safe.
  • Sweep patio – more for fun and it shouldn’t be too hard a chore for kids to do.
  • Wiping low windowsills that’s within their reach and they don’t have to use a stool for it.
  • Sort out dirty clothes by color.
  • Wash light plastic utensils off and on. If the kitchen sink is used, be around them as they might need a stool to stand and wash, or else find an alternative place for this chore.
  • Hang up the towels after their bath.
  • Make their bowl of quick mix cereal after they’ve seen you make it a few times.

Chores For Kids Aged 6 to 7

All the chores mentioned above in addition to these –

  • Set the table properly, and even clear it later.
  • Answer the telephone by wishing and talking properly.
  • Help you to make their lunch and pack it too.
  • Sweep the floor if need be.
  • Take care of the pets you have.
  • Sort out the washing clothes.
  • Weed and rake leaves.
  • Keep their bedroom neat and tidy.

Chores For Kids Aged 8 to 9

All the chores mentioned above in addition to these –

  • Vacuum the area required.
  • Help in cooking.
  • Make their snacks under supervision.
  • Sew buttons and learn an odd stitch or two.
  • Peel and cut vegetables under supervision.
  • Mop the floor.
  • Polish shoes.
  • Make their own breakfast that’s easy to assemble, like toast and cereal under supervision.
  • Put away the washing clothes.
  • Clean the pet cage, feed the pets, and look after them.
  • Help in placing the groceries in their appropriate place.
  • Clean and clear up the table after meals.
  • Load the dishwasher under supervision.
  • Take the pet for a walk, though under supervision, or along with you.

young teen boy babysitting a baby girl

Chores For Kids Aged 10 and Older

All the chores mentioned above and the ones listed below –

  • Fold the laundry and put it in the appropriate place.
  • Help you in washing and polishing the car.
  • Wash windows under your supervision.
  • Iron light clothes gradually, till they can manage to iron well enough, under supervision.
  • Clean their bathroom.
  • Do the laundry under supervision.
  • Help to shovel snow.
  • Taking out the trash.
  • Baby-sit a younger sibling, though under supervision of an adult.
  • Change the bed and do up the rooms.
  • Mend and repair clothes under supervision.
  • Clean the refrigerator under supervision.
  • Mow the lawn under supervision.
  • Clean the kitchen and oven when required.
  • Unload the dishwasher and place the dishes in their right place.
  • Make cakes or biscuits from the ready-to-make mixtures, under supervision.
  • Cook simple meals with your help or guidance.

There are many more age appropriate chores for kids you can add to the above list. Do let me know more about it all in the comment section. 🙂

Once the kids reach high school or are well into their teens, they can do almost anything you can do, provided they’ve been trained to do household chores from the time they were young.

However, it does get tough to get your teens to listen to you because of their mood swings most of the time! They need to be handled differently, which I’ll discuss in another post.

While I have mentioned a list of chores for kids here, I do know that some parents don’t believe it’s fair to ask young kids to work.

They feel it deprives them of their childhood fun, and it’s simply a way for parents to leave the house chores to their children.

Perhaps this is true in some cases, but it wasn’t the case in my house. My kids loved doing chores around the house, and would ask me how they could help me out when they were young!

Remember, we aren’t raising children; we are raising adults, who one day would be capable, productive, and responsible members of the society.

Children who are between 2-5 love doing what you do, and sometimes even if you have dusted an area or done some work, they just like re-doing it again! Isn’t that wonderful? 🙂

Here’s a video that gives you an idea about what kind of chores can kids of different ages do and how.

[youtube id=”o4omTHTExXA” width=”620″ height=”360″]

Tips on Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids ~ YouTube Video

What To Do If Your Child Doesn’t Like Doing Chores

Some kids just don’t like doing household chores and no matter how much you try, they just have a huge list of excuses lined up – sounds familiar?

What can you do in such a case? How do you get your kids to listen to you?

Just make work fun if your child doesn’t like doing chores and get them started by doing the tasks yourself. Make it interesting for them.

Sometimes when you show your kids the list of household chores you have lined up, they understand and are willing to help you out too.

Some kids have favorite chores, so you can ask your kids what they would like to do, if they are a little fussy about house chores.

You could even try rotating the chores for kids by giving each one something different to do each time, instead of them doing the same old things repeatedly, which might make it boring for them.

Turn on some music, dance a little step here and there, make it like a game, chat or talk with them, and see how they enjoy what they do.

Some Do’s and Don’ts About Chores For Kids

Mentioned below are some tips to help make household chores for your kids more enjoyable.

  • Do appreciate and encourage them.
  • Do start them young.
  • Do remain consistent with the household chores for kids so that it becomes a habit with time.
  • Do make the chores for your kids fun and social.
  • Do recognize their efforts.
  • Do choose age appropriate chores for kids, and make sure they like doing what they do.
  • Do offer choices to your kids by offering them one chore over the other, or set a particular time of the day to complete the chore.
  • Don’t pay your kids to do the chores.
  • Don’t expect perfection of any sort. Just be glad that they have done their bit.
  • Don’t criticize their way of working or the way a task is done. Remember, they are kids and cannot become you!
  • Don’t overdo things – keep the chores short and sweet, rather than spending hours in making them do things. Break it up into bits and pieces.

Please remember that chores for kids aren’t meant to be a punishment, nor should your kids take it in that way.

You need to start your kids with household chores when they are young.

Like even a two year old would love to put napkins on the table for lunch, but if you’ve never asked your 15 year old to do chores, trying to make him/her put the same napkin will be an ordeal!

Also, I’ve often observed that boys aren’t given household chores to do as much as girls, which turns them into adult men who never help around their mothers or wives later in life.

So, as parents you need to remember to divide the chores for kids equally between both genders.

“No matter how many house chores you complete, there are always more to be done.” ~ African Proverb

You need to coach, guide, and train your kids initially when you ask them do the chores. They need to do things under supervision when they are young, till they get into a habit of doing it on their own.

Take out the time to be with your kids while they learn how to do the chores, and teach them the right way.

I’m sure your kids will love and thank you for making them into responsible adults when they grow up 🙂

Over to you

When you were a child, did your parents give your household chores to do, and did you enjoy doing them? What age appropriate chores for kids would you suggest? Share in the comments below.

 

Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos

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  1. Hello Harleena,

    I was laughing about the napkin story between the 3-year-old and 15-year-old. That is so true !! I love that you broke down ideas for every age group.

    Thanks For Sharing With Us.

  2. Great list and plenty of options for my kids. I love the one about making their own lunch. I do this as much as I can as it helps promote healthy eating in our house. We talk about each type of food etc while preparing it which gives them a better understanding early on of what they are eating.

    My kids have the ability to tidy their rooms in 2 mins and untidy it again in 5 seconds but we are getting there.

  3. Hi Harleena,

    This post is amazing, a really nice list of chores that kids can do to help their parent. Besides cleaning their room, my kids love taking care of backyard garden for me. It’s just fascinating to see how passionate they are.

  4. This is an excellent list that I will be bookmarking for the future! My daughter is still very small, but when she’s old enough you can bet I will enlist her help.
    I really like the idea of compensating children in a way other than monetary. I see my sister struggle to get my nieces to clean their rooms, put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher, etc. and they will only do it for money. I hope to organize a different system at my house : )
    Thanks for the great ideas!

  5. Just reading this post brought back a world of memories from my childhood days. In my family you HAD to do chores. Especially with me being the oldest child and a girl (yes, very unfair — my folks were traditionalists).

    The thought of even asking for payment for my chores would not have washed at all lol. There’s no way I would have gotten away with that. I think though, that was largely a cultural thing. I noticed the same with other kids with similar backgrounds to me.

    When I have kids, for sure they’ll be doing chores according to their ages. It gives children a sense of pride, accomplishment and responsibility. Will I pay them to do their chores? No, I don’t think I would.

  6. I am currently reading a book on how parents need to be developing habits for their children. They say that having your child make their bed every morning, is so valuable in organizing their life when they are an adult. Your list of chores works perfectly with this.

  7. Harleena,

    This was an interesting post because I remember how hard it was to get my boys to do their chores. Of course it’s easier to do their laundry myself but as you said the work you put into show them how to do chores themselves pays off in spades. Plus, kids appreciate things more when they have to do chores. It makes them realize how much work has to go into certain day to day things… Each of my sons has tried to cook an entire meal for the whole family once a month for 3 months and they really struggled. But from that point on they understood it’s not easy to come up with something tasty and new everyday..

  8. Hi Harleena,

    Great post on how to make our kids enjoy chores around the house.

    I came from a middle eastern background and my parents used to believe that the house chores is for girls and not for boys. We were 2 girls and 2 boys. Me and my sister used to do all the house chores and you are absolutely right, this instills in the boys who will be future men and husbands not to help themselves or their wives at home and I see it all the time.

    Now, I am blessed with 2 girls and 1 boy, I give them all chores to do around the house but my husband tells me all the time when I give my son some chores to do, such as mobbing the floor, this is not for boys, have his sisters do it. I tell him no, he should learn like the girls to do the same stuff. I know better, because I suffered from it when I was a kid to see that girls means servants and boys means to be served. Even, my husband was raised to believe the same thing but those days are over. Sorry, if that turned to be a little rant here. LOL!

    Indeed, parents should appreciate their kids’ efforts to boost their self-esteem and to make them like the chores which will help them become independent when they grow up. My kids are all grown up now and my eldest daughter is going to University this coming fall and she will live on her own and I know she will do great because she learned chores early on and can be independent.

    Thanks Harleena for an amazing and helpful post and all parents should heed to the advises provided in it. Have yourself a great week ahead.

    Be Blessed,

    Neamat

  9. Wow, a really nice list of chores you can have you kids to help out with. Thanks a lot Harleena.

    1. Hi Johan,

      Glad you liked this list of chores for kids, and yes when kids do such household chores, it does help the parents and also makes them more responsible, besides giving them a sense of achievement.

      Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  10. Harleena,

    Oh, she does love making sandwiches. It’s a good “I-can-do-it!” confidence builder. My kids do a lot on the list, but they don’t mop. We often had to do yard work as kids.

    1. That’s great Daya, and am sure she must be trying different ones each time too. Such chores are a huge morale booster for kids and if you keep encouraging them, they are motivated to try new things each time too.

      Mopping in the real sense very few kids might do, or perhaps where there is no domestic help and if the parents do it, the kids might do too – it all depends from family to family. Oh yes…working in the yard, or the garden etc – was always a great joy.

      Thanks once again 🙂

  11. Hi Harleena,

    Well, this subject brings back lots of memories for me. My mother was just not good at making her two kids do shores. Truth be told neither me nor my brother did much of anything around the house as a children. We never had shores.

    Why? My mother grew up in a “slaves mentality” where the females did ALL the house shores.

    However, it turns out that she was fortunate that neither me nor my brother tuned out lazy. We are both very active in the house as adults doing just about everything.

    This is why I firmly believe that a child learns more by watching what parents do way than by what parents say.

    As for me, I do believe that giving shores to do to children is a good thing because it teaches them responsibilities and the satisfaction of a job well done.

    Thanks for another great post, dear 🙂

    1. Hi Sylviane,

      Glad that you could resonate with the post 🙂

      Wow! Having NO chores to do must be great! Though I do feel bad for your Mom because she must be doing them all herself.

      I can understand the reason you mentioned, and perhaps because she was raised that way, she didn’t want to bring you up like that too, so preferred to keep you away from work. I’m glad though that things didn’t affect you and your brother, and both of you turned out to be doing everything later in your lives. Perhaps you saw your Mom do a great deal at home, and she didn’t allow you to do anything – even that brings about such feelings.

      Yes indeed, kids learn a lot by seeing their parents than by hearing what they have to say. I guess that’s how both of you did your bit later in life because you realized all of this.

      Absolutely! Your mom and her case or reason was an exception, because chores for kids does teach them to be responsible and happy adults.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us 🙂

  12. Hi Harleena

    It is such a great post. I must confess I often fell into the trap you mentioned early of “it is quicker to do it myself”. But there were chores our kids did when they were young.

    Now I have three kids with children of their own. They are all being brought up with some degree of having to contribute to the chores.

    One great example I love to watch is my nephew and his wife. Their kids fold their clothes. Keep their rooms tidy and a whole bunch of things and they are just gorgeous kids. Everyone loves having them around.

    Great information Harleena for people with young children.

    Sue

    1. Hi Sue,

      Nice to know that you liked the post 🙂

      Ah…I think most of us fall into the same trap because it saves us a lot of time, instead of spending time in teaching them or getting things done imperfectly and doing them up all over again. But I guess that’s the only way they learn – isn’t it?

      You surely don’t look like a grandmother, Sue! I’m sure your grandkids would be loving the chores they do, even if they are limited to a few presently, which is perfectly alright as long as they contribute in their own way to the family and house.

      One does feel good to see other kids so well disciplined and doing all the chores, and I’m sure we too would feel proud when our kids do the same – isn’t it?

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us 🙂

  13. Wow…this is an amazing list!! Glad that you broke the various tasks into the age brackets.

    I like the tip on “don’t pay your kids to do the chores”. I agree. Helping out in the household tasks should be part of everyone’s responsibility. If we don’t start them at an appropriate young age, they may just take things for granted when they get older.

    1. Hi Evelyn,

      Glad you liked these chores for kids 🙂

      I thought it best to break down the list so that parents with kids of different age groups would find the ones most suitable for them easily.

      Absolutely! Helping around in the house chores should be their responsibility, just like it’s our, and this needs to be instilled in our kids right from the time they are young. If they aren’t taught when they are young, they DO take it all for granted and might not really turn out to be reponsible adults.

      Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the post 🙂

  14. Harleena,

    I’m not sure I agree with some of the chores for the kids (my kids will end up with their clean laundry in the closet or balled up on the floor!)but it is appropriate to have kids do some chores. My daughter just recently decided to take up egg-salad sandwich making. 🙂

    1. Hi Daya,

      That’s absolutely alright because these chores for kids are what I tried and they worked for my kids, but they might not for everyone. A lot depends on the age, ability, and maturity of the child, just as I’d mentioned in the post.

      Yes, some kids might end up doubling your work, but if you teach them the right way with a little patience, they will be just fine. I know it’s much easier and faster to do chores yourself rather than tell our kids to do them, but then they would never learn if not told – isn’t it? Ah…making sandwiches must be fun for her 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views 🙂

  15. Hi Harleena

    My kids don’t do too many chores although we’ve started my five-year-old son tidying up his room just recently.

    If he sees it as a benefit to him, like he’ll get a little reward then he’ll be more keen to do it.

    My daughter, who’s three, is starting to want to follow what “Mummy” is doing. So, I’m sure we could introduce chores for her any time soon.

    1. Hi Tim,

      That’s absolutely alright because all parents might not want to start their kids that young. I too officially started these chores for kids around the same time, though they used to help me around the house right from the time they were two! But that was more of doing things on their own seeing us do them. 🙂

      I agree with you there, some kind of incentive sometimes is needed so that they carry on doing such chores, though we shouldn’t let that be related to money, nor make it a habit. Perhaps a little pocket money, allowance, or extra TV time etc – are great options too.

      I can well understand your daughters interest in what her Mom’s doing and that indeed is a cute age! Yes, a little at a time, depending on how much they can do is fine too.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views with us 🙂

  16. Hi Harleena,

    That’s a great list of chores that are age appropriate.

    When I was a kid my mum would insist that we done the chores before we went out to play. Sundays she’s have a list as long as your arm but with 4 boys it didn’t take long… Normally until mid afternoon but then we could play out.

    No chores? We weren’t going anywhere at all.

    It’s great for installing discipline and showing kids that things have to done.

    Thanks Hareleena,
    Barry

    1. Hi Barry,

      Good to have you back, and with an all new site – wonderful indeed 🙂

      Yes indeed, I think most Moms are like that, and they insist on their kids doing the chores, though after they finish their homework and before their playtime, which acts more as an incentive for them.

      Ah…with four of you around, all the chores must be ending pretty fast. I agree with you there, such chores for kids are a great way to discipline them too, and all of this does help them in their later years to come.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences 🙂

  17. Great post Harleena thank you and the comments are so interesting.

    When my boys were small and dropped their stuff wherever, I would put a big box in the entrance hall and just throw all their stuff into it – so that when they were looking for eg tennis shoes, videos, whatever, I would tell them to go look in there. They learned soon enough to put things where they belonged.

    1. Welcome to the blog Susan!

      Yes indeed, the readers are very considerate and they love to leave comments, as much as I like to reply to them, they are so very kind I’d say 🙂

      Ah…I like your way, which was a lot like my Mom, who also used to just pile ALL our clothes on our bed, if we didn’t fold them and keep them in the cupboard, so whenever we needed anything, we had to first sit and sort out that huge bundle of clothes, and then proceed to do anything else. We too soon learnt to do it all up before Mom comes again 😉

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us 🙂

  18. Hi Harleena,

    Gosh… This is one of things I can relate very well. I’ve did household chores as a child too.

    Since I start reading your post, I was seeking this line:

    “So, encourage and motivate them for their little efforts, even if it’s not according to what you wanted. Or even if you have to re-do what they have done – it doesn’t matter!”

    I used to do stuff like washing clothes, sweeping house, clean rooms, help cooking and sort of stuff since I was age 8 or something like that. I was complimented for ’em from my mother. I really enjoyed it.

    But when I work with father, it was a different experience. When I don’t know how to use a tool, he just expecting me to do it perfectly. If I cut grass whole day and feel really tired, he even complain about spots I’ve missed. Even he misses some spots when he does too. But he’s safe.

    I remember that I loved having morning classes on weekends, else I had to do some work at home 🙂 I preferred being away from home.

    Over time, I tend not to involve with work especially with father. I really don’t like to work hard and to be the one to get the blame. I may not physically fit as others, but I did my best. AND don’t like to shout back at him like my brothers claiming what they did, as I feel it’s being disrespectful.

    Anyway I don’t accept his way of doing things and may be he already know that, so he doesn’t call me for such activities now. He calls me I’m not used to do household chores like other boys, but it’s fine by me as long as I don’t hear him blaming. I’m not volunteer to do anything even I could, as I know he find something to blame.

    But I’d do anything when my mother asks 🙂 She always been my silent role model like the God, who never asks for anything but gives everything. She’s indeed the most valuable reward I’ve got in my life 🙂

    You have a fantabulous week Harleena 🙂

    Cheers…

    1. Hi Mayura,

      Glad you could relate so well to this post 🙂

      Ah…that’s so nice to hear that most of these chores for kids were done by you, and I know your mother would’ve surely complimented for all your hard work and effort.

      Yes, fathers are generally not as good as mothers in explaining things or encouraging, or they don’t have that much of patience and time to explain things to their kids – well in most of the cases at least, though there are some fathers who are much better than mothers too.

      I think some fathers expect a lot from their kids, sons all the more and want to make them perfect, though again not in all cases. I can understand how it must be along with constant criticism and nagging at times that might want to make you stay away from home because you are away from it all then. Actually it’s in the nature of some people to keep blaming others, more so their family members who they take for granted, though over time they tend to sober down also.

      Yes, perhaps to keep the slight conflicts or arguments away its best to stay away and do the chores you are told to do to the best of your ability. I know we can’t be disrespectful and knowing you, you’d rather hear it all than be that. I guess your father also must be realizing things and may have lessened on asking for you for work, unless it’s necessary.

      Ah…your Mom is always there for you and compensates well for your Dad I think, and I’m sure you are happy about that too. I guess the balance is well maintained this way 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and adding so much more value to the post. Have a nice week ahead as well 🙂

  19. Hello Harleena,

    I think the best place to learn for kids is their parents. But it should be start from very young age. Otherwise, if you tell them to work when they become little older, they will not interest to do. You pointed key features what to do at different age.

    i think this article will be a good lesson for new couple 🙂

    1. Hi Ahsan,

      Yes indeed, the parents are the first teachers for their children, and we have to be very careful even of the way we behave or the words we speak in-front of them because they are so quick to pick up things from us. 🙂

      Absolutely! The teaching phase has to start when kids are young, or they will never listen to you nor do any chores around the house. I’ve seen so many of such cases around. I do hope this post helps parents in more ways than one.

      Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the post 🙂

  20. My 2 year old is a clean freak already!! He is doing most of the chores that it recommends for 5 year olds! And I don’t even ask… I usually pull out the vacuum and he’ll just start yelling… “I do it!!” lol I hope he stays like this!

    1. Welcome to the blog Carrie!

      Wow! That’s awesome indeed that he’s doing the chores at that young an age, more so, as you mentioned, he loves doing them on his own! It reminds me of my kids who were the same, though things change when they grow up a little 😉

      Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  21. The household chores is very important that everybody in the house should definitely help each other out.

    1. Hi Ferb,

      Absolutely! I think every parent should teach their kids how to do the household chores, so that when they grow up they have no problems in their life. And as you mentioned, it’s a way to help out each other too.

      Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  22. I just wrote a post about this just a few days ago. I don’t pay my kids for helping with the household chores. I think that it teaches them very important life skills and teaches them responsibility.
    In our home, homework comes first, then chores, and play time.

    1. Hi Christy,

      Ah…that’s a nice co-incidence! I agree, I don’t think paying them ever works in the long run, instead, they might just learn to work only when they are paid, which I feel isn’t right.

      That’s the way it should be, and I’m glad you mentioned it here too. Homework always should come first, and then the chores for kids that they need to do, and then play. I think giving them extra play time after they’ve done the chores works well also at times, and such incentitves are any day better than paying them.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views 🙂

  23. Excellent post. I agree rewards for kids should be extra privileges and not money. This is so helpful, great idea for a post!

    1. Welcome to the blog Rebecca 🙂

      Glad you liked the post 🙂

      Yes indeed, rewards should be the extra allowances, pocket money, or as you mentioned, the privileges and not money, which they would value much more at their age.

      Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  24. My kids have been doing chores since they were about 5 years old. And the older they got the harder it was to get them to do their chores LOL 🙂

    I never believed in paying them for chores. I feel it is part of the responsibility of being part of the family.

    I was laughing about the napkin story between the 2-year-old and 15-year-old. That is so true!

    My boys also help around the house with things like cleaning the bathroom, so they know what domestics is all about. 🙂

    I love that you broke down ideas for every age group. Thanks for putting this together! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend :).

    1. Hi Corina,

      That’s wonderful! I think that’s perfectly alright, though I’m sure they must’ve been helping or copying what you did even when they were younger, which might not be real chores as such, but small ways of helping out that often go unnoticed 🙂

      Absolutely! Once they grow up, it’s tougher to convince them to carry on doing the chores, and that’s when they want something in return for doing them in some cases. I’ve also never paid my kids ever, because it’s their way of helping in the family too. Oh yes…the napkin talk though just an example, but such things do happen, that’s why it’s so important to start them off when they are young.

      Nice to know that your boys do help around too, which would make them into responsible men with time. Glad you liked the list of chores for kids to do, and yes, I thought breaking them down age-wise would make it easier for parents looking for such chores.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us 🙂

  25. Training the kids how to do house chores is really important, it will relieve the parent from stress, and also help the children in the future, like am Gaining it Now..

    Kids are awesome, I remember when am with my mum, she train us how to the most of the housework, in fact she teaches us how to cook, I mean a delicious meal lol

    This post deserve to be shared.

    1. Hi Temilola,

      It absolutely is! Yes, to some extent it does relieve the parental stress and pressure, though teaching the kids to do those chores isn’t easy either, especially for kids who aren’t all that willing to do them. 🙂

      Ah…I guess I must visit you someday to taste a meal prepared by you! But jokes apart, all these chores for kids that are taught when kids are young, go all through their lives.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing it too 🙂

  26. Hi Harleena,

    What a brilliant post on such a lovely and important topic!

    Your post got me remembering my own childhood. I think overall my parents didn’t get me to do that many chores as perhaps they could. The reason I say this is because I can certainly relate to the point you made earlier in your post, about how giving kids little chores really does help them to boost their confidence and self-esteem. I can’t help but think that if kids are taught to do chores like those you listed, it will make it easier for the children to continue doing them, and enjoying them as they get older.

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Hiten,

      Glad you liked the post 🙂

      I think some parents think twice about giving out chores for kids to do as they feel it’s faster to do it themselves, or they don’t want to burden the child with the house chores. But it does give them a huge sense of achievement when the tasks they are given, are successfully accomplished by them.

      Yes indeed, if the household chores are carried on by the kids all through till they grow up into adults, it becomes a habit with them to help around in the house and be more considerate towards the chores their spouses do too.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views with us 🙂

  27. We have been lucky to have had domestic help all these years.We ensured that children pick up their own plates after each meal and put them back in the kitchen ink.We were not comfortable an elder…though a domestic….picked up the used plates…

    1. Hi BK,

      They are indeed a big help, though what we teach our kids goes with them throughout their lives. I agree with you there – any small contribution to help in the house is good, and any kind of elder doing work for us is an absolute no-no for us too.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views 🙂

  28. Hello Harleena,

    I love creating a team of busy bees with my family during the week. Thanks for sharing this valuable info. Have a great weekend!

    To Your Success,

    Stacie Walker
    Woman in Leadership

    1. Hi Stacie, nice to have you back after long 🙂

      Oh yes…busier the bees, the better it is – I can relate to that one too 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a nice weekend as well 🙂

      1. Hi Harleena,

        It’s good to be back:) Right now, we have a house full of kids, besides our own and I’m putting them to work. They enjoy it and it’s such a blessing to have extra hands to keep the home in order. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts.

        To Your Success,

        Stacie Walker
        Woman in Leadership

        1. That’s awesome indeed Stacie!

          I think with so many kids at home it must be all the more fun to do the chores together. It sure IS a blessing to have more hands to work, and they are a big help to parents too. Glad you like the posts, and more would surely follow up as they normally do every week.

          Thanks once again 🙂

  29. Hello Harleena,
    What an interesting blog post and one that draws me to memory lane. 🙂
    I started doing house chores when i was five, washing dishes, wash my school uniform and my pant… i started doing serious work when i was 10.

    I am making things easy for my boy 🙂 The only thing he can do now is wash just some few plates 🙂 atleast he does chores. 🙂

    Seriously i hate it when a kid collect money before they’ll work. i don’t do it and wouldn’t advice anybody to do it, and as you say; it will grow to be part of them and eventually becomes an habit. Thanks

    1. Hi Babanature,

      Nice to know that you could resonate with the post 🙂

      Wow! That surely was a young age to get started! But that’s what’s called having different maturity level, just as I mentioned in the post – some children are able to do such chores at a much younger age as compared to others. Also, perhaps you were taught to do them when you were young, so it came naturally to you after a while, which doesn’t happen in most of the other cases.

      I can understand you being a little easy with your son, or perhaps you don’t want him to do all what you did at that young an age 🙂 Ah…that’s so sweet that he does help around with the plates. How old is he I wonder?

      I agree with you there, collecting money just because you’ve worked a little within your own home, isn’t my cup of tea either. More so, with kids it might become a bad habit to do everything only related to money. However, giving a little allowance or pocket money is a good habit, provided you teach your kids to save it for a rainy day or to buy their goodies later.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us. 🙂

  30. Hi Harleena,

    Great sharing! I must admit that the boosting of their self esteem is a huge part. When their efforts are appreciated by parents, they believe it 100%. They also pick up good habits that can help them in all areas of life down the track.

    What seem simple and easy to do should not be underestimated!

    With Appreciation, Harleena!

    Viola Tam – The Business Mum

    1. Hi Viola,

      Glad you liked the post, and yes, when we ask our kids to do chores around the house and they do them – it does boost their self esteem and makes them feel good – it’s like an accomplishment for them more than anything else.

      I wish parents would keep appreciating their little efforts instead of correcting them most of the time, because that does help in more ways than one. Yes indeed, the good habit of helping around in the house and sharing the chores does make them responsible adults when they grow up.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us 🙂

  31. Loved this one in the 6-7 year old category.

    “Help you to make their lunch and pack it too.”

    Hadn’t thought of that one before – looking forward to implementing it when the school year starts up here in a month and a half.

    I also agree with Pramod about “interesting” chores – the more interesting the chore, the less it feels like one.

    1. Hi Brad,

      Oh yes…kids love doing that when they grow up a little 🙂

      I’m sure your kids would love doing it too if they are that age. I think they like the idea of you being around while they try out different things, as it brings out the creativity in them. Yes indeed, if the chores for kids are interesting, they really don’t take it as a chore at all and enjoy it all the more. I think a combination of interesting ones with the not too interesting ones work best, so that they also learn that they have to at times do things they don’t really like 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the post 🙂

  32. I love this post !

    Kids should be given interesting tasks to accomplish ..Interesting tasks can be a good exercise to their brains..Moreover,they get to learn something new every time they try to do a task by themselves. And they should be taught to save money at a tender age (you can assign the task of saving some rupees)..this would help them in future !

    Regards,
    Pramod

    1. Hi Pramod,

      Nice to know that you liked the post, and yes, if kids are given chores – it does sharpen their skills. Sometimes of course, they need to take up chores even if they don’t like because that’s how they learn about life ahead, nothing comes easy, isn’t it?

      Yes indeed, they gain a lot of self confidence and a feeling of having accomplished something when they do the tasks given. I agree with that additional point, giving them a little allowance off and on will develop the habit of saving in them.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views. 🙂

  33. Very well and interesting chores for children. I love it. I must try it on. But my boys are more interested in playing Nintendo and play stations rather than helping around the house. But that could just be because boys will be boys, I don’t know. But I will certainly try them out. Thanks Harleena.

    1. Hi Shalu,

      Glad you liked these chores for kids listed out, though I know there’s a lot more that can be added here. 🙂

      Ah..boys WILL be boys and it’s sometimes tough to get them to do things, especially if they haven’t been used to do them from the start. I think sometimes boys are given less of household chores to do as compared to girls and this at times turns them into men who might not be willing to work in their own house, or help their mothers and wives. I guess the training should start when they are young to avoid this.

      Thanks for stopping by, and I do hope you try out a few of these chores with your boys and it works with them. 🙂

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