Age Appropriate Chores – Get the Kids to Help Around the House

We all know how messy kids can be. While their happiness is irreplaceable, we, as parents would love to have a rest from the chaos children create and spare ourselves the tiresome cleaning at least from time to time.

There is no better way to teach kids to keep things tidy than to make them clean their own mess. Having the kids do chores from a young age is important for developing the right habits, as it teaches discipline and it gives them a sense of responsibility.

So, as a way to keep your bambinos busy, you can make them help around the house with different things from a very early age. What chores are appropriate for them you may ask? Well, below you can find the right house tasks for your little ones, based on their age.

Why doing chores can be beneficial for your kids?

Chores are mandatory for the proper development of your kids. Every time they accomplish something, kids feel capable and they become more self-reliant. Even if they are just making their bed, your children will feel they are part of the team.

A 70+ year study from Harvard University proved that people who did chores as kids grew up to be more independent. But if you’re a first-time parent it may be a bit hard for you to understand how to properly assign chores. Well, to make things easier on you, we have listed a few ideas in the age-appropriate chore list below.

Still, do not limit yourself just to them, because you are the person who knows your kids and their abilities best. So, you can adjust the list to fit your kids’ needs and abilities, as well as your household’s specifics.

Chore list for kids by age

Here we will present to you different types of chores you can consider passing to your children depending on their age. Keep in mind, though, that oftentimes the process may prove challenging due to their resistance and the first results of their work unsatisfying. However, remaining patient and loving will encourage them to do better and learn the importance of what you are trying to do as a family.

Chores for 2 to 4-year-olds

Kids at this age should do easy tasks. This is the perfect time to teach them responsibility for their possessions. Keep in mind, though, that some supervision on your behalf may still be necessary. So, here is a list of a few chores you can introduce your little ones to:

Chores for 5 to 6-year-olds

At this age, kids should take more responsibilities. This is the perfect opportunity to start giving them more tasks related not just to the maintenance of their rooms, but also of the house in general.

Chores for 7 to 8-year-olds

This is a time when kids can start taking more complex and physically challenging tasks.

Chores for 9 to 12-year-olds

As your kids get older, you can let them get familiar with household appliances. Children this age can start having second thoughts about doing chores, as they become more independent and rebellious.

In this case, it is good to consider additional ways to motivate them and keep them on track. Creating a chore chart with rewards based on performance can help with both. And here are some chore examples:

Chores for 13 to 15-year-olds

At this age, kids can start paying more attention and care to their personal belongings. Therefore, appropriate chores could be:

Chores for 16-year-olds and above

Kids tend to get more and more responsibilities after they turn 15. Shortly after that, most kids get their driving licenses and they should be responsible for any car they drive.

They could also find a job and learn more about money management, etc. You can also keep them involved in the housework by placing them in charge of meal preparation, making the grocery list and shopping, mowing the lawn, pet care, etc.

Do your kids have any chores? Did we miss anything? Comment down below!