Simple Age-Appropriate Chores for All Ages (Including Toddlers)

Finding age-appropriate chores for all your kids seems like a battle you don’t want to pick because A: It’s often easier to do yourself, and B: You do a better job.

But when you’re home is filled with children, I’m sure it’s easy to get overwhelmed with toys all over the floor, the sink filled with dishes, juice + milk stains on the table, and sticky crud on the floor that you hate stepping on. (Waaah!)

If you’re like me, sometimes I prefer to be alone while cleaning my house, but – at other times – I am also SO completely annoyed that my kids just ruined all my hard work, so my payback is to have them clean up.

Kidding, but truthfully, I want my kids to have these skills so they can be servants in the home, and when they have a real job, they will need these skills as well.

Handling Age Groups

Some of my kids are willing to do chores, like my four-year-old, who is very eager to help. 

But my nine-year-old and my 13-year-old can give me a hard time.

If you have toddlers, you’ll likely have to endure tantrums. 

I get it!

It’s not for the weak!

I’ve always had my children help around the house since they were toddlers because training a child starts early. 

The trick is dealing with the personality. 

My 17-year-old was not clean at all when he was a younger teen, but now he’s relatively clean.

Sometimes it is a battle, but if you stay on them – it will get better (most of the time).

Giving Rewards for Doing Chores

You can choose to reward your child in some way or make it a part of their daily chores. 

I’ve done it both ways, and my older ones definitely get motivated when pay is involved. 

But it could be their favorite treat, or they get an extra hour to stay up. 

The ideas for rewards are endless.

Rewards can be optional. 

We don’t do physical rewards unless they want to work to pay for something expensive.

For example, one of my boys wanted to earn extra money, so I paid him to clean our baseboards, blinds, and windows.

But simple, everyday chores like carrying out the trash or doing their laundry are what we require of them.

Tips on Teaching Chores

Toddler (1-2 years old)

Each age group does require a different mental (and physical approach).

Younger children will require a good bit of modeling (you show them how it’s done), and even younger children may need hand-over-hand. 

Hand-over-hand means you gently guide their hand to do the specific chore, like picking up toys.

You can sing songs while they clean up, and cheer them on while they do so. 

Make a BIG deal out of them helping. They absolutely love the attention.

Some kids are very particular about hand-over-hand. They may snatch their hand away and refuse to help. Some don’t like it and want to do it themselves (even better!)

Pick your battles. If they’re tired or hungry, you might not want to force it. 

But the key is to be consistent.

If it doesn’t work at that hour, try again later on or the next day, but don’t let it go so long that they forget.

Preschooler (3-4 years old)

If your preschooler now understands the importance of helping, then it can be a little easier because they can communicate at this point. 

Modeling is still a good idea if it’s a new chore.

You don’t have to use the word “chore,” but the word “helping” can be a bit more encouraging; they feel like they’re being useful.

As I said, my four-year-old gets a thrill out of helping. I make it exciting for her by doing a simple cheer or high-five when she asks to help. 

I also thank her and kiss her for a job well done. 

If they aren’t as excited, add verbal praise or a physical reward like a sticker. 

Thankfully, at this age, they don’t ask for much. 

Tween

My daughter isn’t new to chores, but those wretched hormones are starting to kick in, so ATTITUDE!  

She isn’t always mouthy, but I remind her of the importance of serving and helping out because we are a family, and we aren’t here to please ourselves. 

I try to remember to thank her once the chores are finished. 

Teens

The same situation as a TWEEN – you’ll get the attitude. 

But the same thing is that I also require the chores to be done. 

At this age, they all know what to do; we’re just persistent about making them do it. 

Rotating chores

As my children get older, I give them more complex chores, but I have a 17-year-old who has a real job plus school, so I cut him some slack and took off a weekly chore that one of his other siblings has picked up. 

I also give them breaks from doing the same chores over and over.

For example, my boys rotate monthly on taking out the trash and taking the trash bin to the road to be collected.

All of my older three rotate weekly on unloading and reloading the dishwasher.

So let’s dive into the simple age-appropriate chores for children of different ages:

Toddlers (1-2 years old):

• Putting away toys
• Throwing trash away
• Putting laundry in washer/dryer (if you have a front-loader)
• Putting shoes away

Preschoolers (3-5 years old):

• Putting away toys
• Helping to set the table
• Assisting with wiping down surfaces
• Putting laundry in the hamper
• Putting laundry in washer/dryer (if you have a front-loader)
• Cleaning the toilet (with supervision, ha-ha)
• Helping with simple meal prep (e.g. stirring ingredients, seasoning (using hand-over-hand)
• Assisting with folding laundry
• Taking items to be recycled and tossing them in a bin.

School-aged children (6-12 years old):

• • Making their bed
  • Helping with simple meal prep (e.g. stirring ingredients)
  • Helping cook simple meals and baking (eggs, bacon, ramen, salads, cookies, etc.)
  • Laundry (Sorting clothes and washing/drying)
  • Assisting with folding laundry
  • Helping to clear and load the dishwasher
  • Helping with grocery shopping and errands
  • Taking out the trash and recycling
  • Helping to care for pets
  • Wiping down counters/windows
  • Cleaning bathrooms
  • Sweeping
  • Vacuuming – (I love this vacuum. It’s easy for us to use and get the pet hair and dirt!) 
  • Helping younger siblings with dressing and bedtime – (super helpful if you have multiple small children and a couple of older ones)

Teens (13-18 years old):

• Laundry (Sorting clothes and washing/drying)
• Assisting with folding laundry
• Helping cook simple/complex meals and baking (eggs, bacon, ramen, salads, cookies, spaghetti, etc.)
• Helping to clear and load the dishwasher
• Helping with grocery shopping and errands
• Taking out the trash and recycling
• Helping to care for pets
• Wiping down counters/windows
• Cleaning bathrooms
• Washing dishes
• Storing food from dinner
• Sweeping
• Vacuuming 
• Helping younger siblings with dressing and bedtime – (a couple of my older ones take turns singing and praying with their little sister.)
• Helping to care for pets
• Assisting with yard work and landscaping
• Helping with car maintenance
• Assisting with household repairs

It is important to consider the maturity level and abilities of the child before assigning certain tasks.

But I hope you found this simple chore list super helpful for you and your family. 

What other chores do you have your kids do? Comment below.

XOXO,

Sharonda