If there’s one thing that I’ve struggled with as a parent, it’s setting reasonable chores for my boys.
I’m not a fan of cleaning so it’s taken me years just to be able to set a reasonable schedule for myself, never mind monitoring anybody else!
But, at the same time, I know my boys are old enough to be helping out. I’m just not sure how to get started.
Luckily, I’ve found some info to help me, and any other parent that’s wondered what chores are appropriate for their kids. Check it out and see what cleaning jobs your children can tackle!
Ages 2-3
- Assist in making their bed
- Pick up toys when playtime is over
- Bring dirty clothes to laundry hamper
- Neatly pile books and/or magazines
Ages 4-5
- Fill pet’s water/food bowls (with supervision)
- Water plants
- Clear the dinner table
- Use hand-held vacuum for small messes, such as picking up crumbs
Ages 6-7
- Keep the bathroom tidy
- Sort laundry (try starting with just matching clean socks!)
- Empty dishwasher + put dishes away
- Choose outfit and get ready for each day independently
Ages 8-9
- Put away groceries
- Bring in mail from mailbox
- Assist in meal preparation (peeling potatoes, preparing salad, etc)
- Clean their room independently
Ages 10-11
- Responsible for exercising pets once each day
- Wash dishes
- Vacuum carpeted areas
- Learn to use washer and dryer
Ages 12 and up
- Wash family car (with supervision)
- Empty indoor trashcans, bring trash outside each week
- Babysit younger siblings
- Learn to use washer and dryer
Now that I have the cleaning tips I need, it’s time for me to set some regular chores for my boys and get them involved in the process of keeping the house clean.
Use these guidelines to set some chores for your kids as well, and enjoy having a little help keeping your house clean!
Good chart – I have always personally let my daughter choose what to do and when she was ready to do it. When she was younger, she loved it, the older she gets..the more she doesn’t. Can’t say as I blame her, the older I get, the more I dislike my “chores” as well!
Use these new cleaners, they are really good!
We use Seventh Generation products. They’re great. Awesome chore ideas!
My daughter loves to help cleaning and tidying, except for her play room. We’re working on it, but picking up her own stuff is the hardest.
I really like this chart! I am so bookmarking this. I have not tried their products yet, I would love to try! Like trying new cleaning products especially ones that are all natural!
Love seventh generation products and your list is spot on too!
Love your list, I will print it out for my kids to use as a guideline for the grandkids
Now that is an awesome chore list for the ages and great cleaning products too, safe to use!!
Good tips! I’m never quite sure when it’s time to give my daughter a bit more responsibility –this is a good reference, thanks.
The age of the chore charts is great