I have two young daughters, 11 and 7. They both have a handful of chores to do every week. Obviously, they’re not mowing the grass or cleaning the gutters. But they are learning that work is part of life (Gen. 2:15). Hopefully, we are steering them away from taking on lazy qualities while also gaining a sense of accomplishment. We want them to see themselves as a part of the family that contributes to the betterment of the overall family, to work for something bigger than themselves. While all those ideas may sound good in theory, the simple truth is, it is good for kids to learn how to work. Here are 10 age-appropriate chores your kids can start today.
2-5-Year-Old Stage
• Put your toys away. If they are big enough to get their toys out to play, they are big enough to put them back, assuming they can safely reach the shelves or bins their toys are in.
• Sort their laundry by colors. They will probably need cues from you, and it’s best to focus on one color at a time, “Let’s put all the white shirts over here.” This will also help with learning colors and sensory development.
• Setting the table. Again, they may need verbal cues and an example from you, “I’ll put the spoons on the table, and you can put the forks next to the spoons.”
6-9-Year-Old Stage
• Clean their room. Learning to clean up after yourself is a big deal. You probably know adults that have left you thinking, “I bet your mom did everything for you until you went off to college.” Don’t let your kid grow up to be that guy.
• Get themselves ready for school. They can now pick out their clothes for school and help pack their own lunch.
• Feed the pets. A simple but daily necessity.
10-12-Year-Old Stage
• Take out the trash. A lesson in humility, plus understanding that not all jobs are glamorous.
• Vacuum the house. Depending on your home, this may be one of the more time-consuming tasks.
• Wash the dishes. A daily chore that helps them play their part at dinner time.
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Age-Appropriate Chores for Teenagers
• During these years, they are capable of doing any household chores. Depending on school schedules and other extracurricular activities, getting a part-time job outside the home can be a great learning experience.
Start them off on the right track.
While your kids have probably expressed notions of becoming a social media influencer as their “job,” it’s still a good idea for them to get plenty of practice doing actual work. They need to know they can do something else just in case they get cut from the NFL roster or their band doesn’t get a record deal. Work and discipline are good things, and age-appropriate tasks help instill that truth into our kids at an early age. Give them a few ways to help out around the house, and you’ll teach them the value of honest work.
