Kids Chores Chart By Age

Having a chores chart is essential for any family. Chores are a great way to teach your children about responsibility, and a chore chart by age ensures the tasks you give them are appropriate to their life stage. Read this guide to learn what your kids can achieve at certain stages and the chores they are capable of completing.

Chores Chart by Age: Teaching Kids About Responsibility

Ages 2 to 3

Around this time, children reach a lot of milestones, such as learning how to walk and engaging in short conversation. They start fulfilling simple tasks more independently, too—such as eating, undressing, and going to the toilet. Of course, the way they do all these is possibly messy and awkward, but that’s natural.

Toddlers can typically understand simple and direct instructions like, “Give the toy to Mommy,” making this a great time to introduce chores. You can start by asking a toddler to do these under your supervision:

• Put away toys
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper
• Make their bed

Ages 4 to 5

At this point, children transition from toddlers to pre-schoolers. They are more independent, inquisitive, and curious. The simple activities they find challenging to fulfill as toddlers become easier. They eat more neatly, converse better, and dress on their own. Adult supervision when going to the toilet becomes less frequent, too.

You can give your children more complex chores at this point as they can understand two-way or even three-way instructions. Examples of these chores include:

• (all previous chores)
• Feed pets
• Wipe and set the table
• Pair socks and sort underwear
• Clean small messes
• Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher
• Brush own teeth

Ages 6 to 8

School-age children start to be more assertive with their thoughts and opinions. They carry out simple tasks well and independently. At this point, they’re more aware of the events around them and have a sense of right and wrong. Their reading skills are better and they start to read more for content and pleasure.

You can introduce your children to more complex chores and give them the opportunity to fulfill these on their own without much supervision. For example, when you instruct them to put away groceries, you don’t need to keep telling them what goes where. Ask them to:

• (all previous chores)
• Help put away groceries
• Help prepare basic meals
• Shower on their own
• Fold own laundry
• Sweep and clean up small areas
• Water plants
• Keep bedroom tidy

Tip: Give them a chores chart each week and let them work this out themselves. Check their progress on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Ages 9 to 10

Children as young as 9 or 10 may start to change emotionally. Their feelings and emotions might get more intense and being accepted by peers becomes more important. They start to think more about what’s right and wrong and develop their own values and morals. Chores that are complex gets easier for them to fulfill.

• (all previous chores)
• Basic outdoor work (shoveling, sweeping, raking)
• Take out the trash or recycle
• Watch younger siblings
• Bring mail in the house
• Clean out car
• Care for pet’s needs

Ages 11 to 12

As pre-teens, children are becoming increasingly independent and show signs of resistance. Their initiative to do things gets more pronounced. They develop a preference to do certain tasks their way and at their own time, which might be misconstrued as being lazy. Aside from all other chores from previous development stages, they can do all these without a hitch:

• (all previous chores)
• Wipe bathroom counters and surfaces
• Mop floors
• Change beds
• Wash pots and pans

Ages 13 and above

Teenagers do things for themselves and may fulfill their tasks without a list of chores. But at this age, unwillingness to do chores is more common. They may find tasks confining and even unnecessary as they think other activities are more important. One way to address this is to come to an agreement with your teen. Be clear about your expectations and let them know what the consequences are if they don’t help with housework. Both of you can even come up with an allowance chart for chores.

• (all previous chores)
• Iron clothes
• Basic household repairs
• Prepare meals
• Wash own laundry

Follow along with this infographic. Save it now, or pin it for later! Keep scrolling to read more details on teaching your kids about responsibility at home.

Making a chore list for kids is just the beginning of the process as it is simply a guide for you and your family. What’s more important is how you enforce what’s written on the chart and how you demonstrate the chores to your children. Be patient, give them rewards, and always appreciate what they do, even when they make mistakes.

What’s your take on a family chores chart? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

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