Helping around the house! Chore Ideas for kids of all ages.

My kids have recently asked for a chore chart! I’m a mixture of “heck yes!” and “I can’t put another thing on my plate.”

That being said, it’s super important for kids, even young ones, to understand that each member of the family needs to pull their own household weight because I can’t deal with another story of a 28 year old calling mom to ask what all those buttons mean on the washing machine.

Sometimes as parents, we’d easily forgo a child doing chores because they won’t/can’t complete to the level or our expectation, but we’re only shooting ourselves (and them) in the foot for later in life. Kids of all ages can do chores! Check out our ideas below for getting your kids to pitch in around the homestead. And if you have to fork up $5 at the end of the week, so be it.

Now I just need to figure out who’s paying my allowance for clean sheets on the bed and grocery shopping…

Preschooler (ages 3–5)

• Keeping room neat
• Pick up/ put away toys
• Unload the dishwasher (silverware, plastic cups, tupperware)
• Put clothes in the dirty clothes hamper
• Collect dirty clothes
• Help move clothes from washer to dryer
• Feed pets
• Water indoor plants
• Make bed in the morning
• Personal note: My list includes brushing teeth, getting dressed, and putting on shoes because it’s preferable to reward them for these tasks than yelling 10 times each morning about it.

Early Elementary (ages 5–8)

All previous chores plus:

• Keeping room neat
• Load the dishwasher
• Vacuum couch/ chairs/ cushions
• Take out recycling
• Set/clear table
• Clean windows/dust furniture
• Fold dish towels
• Fold/hang laundry
• Put away groceries
• Meal prep (wash produce, find ingredients, simple cutting)
• Sweep
• Vacuum
• Get mail
• Weed
• Wash car

Elementary (ages 9–11)

All previous chores plus:

• Keeping room neat and clean (vacuum, dust)
• Wipe bathroom sinks, counters, toilets
• Wash/dry clothes
• Clean toilets and bathroom countertops
• Mop floors
• Take garbage/recycling to the curb
• Yard work (spring/fall clean-up)

Middle School (ages 12–14)

All previous chores plus:

• Keeping room neat and clean (vacuum, dust)
• Clean tub/ shower
• Assist in meal preparation
• Clean out fridge/freezer
• Mow yard
• Helping out with younger kids (diapering, feeding, putting to bed)

There are TONS of chore charts you can download for free on the internet to keep track of completed activities. Good luck and enjoy your sparkly toilet!