A question from Nikki.
Can you write posts about each age – what you have them do total? I am not naturally organized, so this would help me implement gradually.
I think it has more to do with ability than age. I’ve had some children who were ready to use the stove at eight or nine and others who I’ve felt needed more time to mature. Only you know what your child is capable of doing when it comes to chores.
Remember to keep in mind your child’s age, ability, and maturity when assigning jobs around the house. Also, young children need supervision while doing their chores for two reasons. First, you want to make sure they are learning the correct way to clean and second you want to make sure they are not doing anything that could harm them or the house.
Finally don’t mistake laziness for inability. I’ve found that the earlier you give your child ownership of chores the more they can do at a younger age. Most children are very capable you just need to motivate them.
I’m sharing with your our family’s chore list. Just because the two year old can do the chores on the list doesn’t mean she does all the chores on the list. I use the list as a guide when it comes time for chores. Each child does two or three chores each depending on the size of the job.
Toddler (ages 2 and 3)
- Pick up/ put away toys
- Unload the dishwasher (silverware, plastic cups, tupperware)
- Dust with a feather duster or microfiber rag
- Swiffer the floor
- Put clothes in the dirty clothes hamper
- Collect dirty clothes
- Help get clothes from washer to dryer
- Put clothes away
- Make bed
- Wipe cabinets
- Wipe baseboards (soapy water)
Preschooler (ages 4-5)
- All toddler chores
- Load the dishwasher
- Vacuum couch/ chairs/ cushions
- Take out recycling
- Set table
- Clear table
- Wash dishes (with supervision)
- Clean windows
- Wipe out bathroom sinks
- Match socks
- Fold dish towels
- Weed
Early Elementary (ages 6-8)
- All toddler and preschool chores
- Meal prep (wash produce, find ingredients, simple cutting)
- Wipe bathroom sinks, counters, toilets
- Hang out laundry
- Sweep
- Vacuum
- Collect garbage
- Get mail
- Fold/hang laundry
- Clean microwave
- Rake leaves
Elementary (9-11)
- Make simple meals
- All previous chores
- Take garbage/ recycling to the curb
- Wash/ dry clothes
- Clean toilets
- Mop floors
Middle School (12-14)
- Clean tub/ shower
- Make full meals/ meal plan
- Clean out fridge/ freezer
- Mow yard
- Supervise younger children’s chores
High School (15-18)
By the time my children reach high school age I expect them to have the ability to do almost everything around the house. While they don’t do everything I know they are capable in all areas of home management.
When a child because proficient at a chore it is time to give the chore to a younger child. I take the lowest common denominator approach to chores in our house. This means the youngest child who is able to do the chore gets the job. When the child is learning their chores they are supervised by a sibling or a parent.
While our family isn’t perfect when it comes to chores my kids are all encouraged to work together to keep the house clean and organized.
The only thing I would change in our family is starting chores when my kids were younger. When I only had two young children it was easier to just do it all myself. Not anymore. Having kids that can help around the house keeps the house cleaner and gives everyone more time for fun activities.
EXCELLENT post!
I think that this is a huge mistake so many people make:
Finally don’t mistake laziness for inability. I’ve found that the earlier you give your child ownership of chores the more they can do at a younger age. Most children are very capable you just need to motivate them.
I already copied your list and I’m planning to implement a few new things around my own house next week. Thank you so much. Your timing is perfect!!!
Thank you for the wonderful ideas! I am using this summer to get our chores under control, we have had a crazy 2 years with health issues and two moves and while we did some things to get the children going I wanted to be much more intentional. This is very helpful!
Actually – reading through this again I am surprised how similar your list is to what I have taught our children – such encouragement!
I am so glad someone else understands the importance of early training!! Thanks for the post!! I could NOT agree more!!
I loved reading this my daughter who is only 17 months loves to help me clean. While I vacum, I’ll let her use the little shark to help. She helps dust and doing laundry. She love to help me sort and put in and take out of the washer and dryer.
Thank you for this list! I have a special needs son and I’m afraid I’ve been slacking in teaching him several things he could be doing. This helps more than you know.
I’m encouraged, as well. Our family follows your recommendations pretty closely. I might add, though, we add diaper changing to our 6-7 year olds responsibilities as well.
Oh – and watering the indoor plants starts around age 4. 
I don’t have any plants… (well any that I can keep alive!) That’s a great one to add.
Thank you so much for this post. Not sure if you answered me or another person. I remember asking you this a few months ago. I am going to try some of these with my kids. I have known for a while they could probably so some of the chores around the house, but just have not taken the time and or been hesitant to do so. Well, here we go. Lots of luck and determination to me…
Thanks for sharing! I know I’ve definitely made the mistake of mistaking laziness for inability. I will definitely be going through the kids’ chores and trying the lowest common denominator idea!
I use a program on myjobchart.com it is free and you can customize it for all your kids or even add one for your spouse and yourself. You determine the rewards for chores done and you can teach your kids to save and also give to charitable organizations. My 15 year old really loves this system, she is very organized and likes to have a list to go by every day. Where as my 16 yr old son would rather me tell him what to do as I need him to do it. I say do what works for you and your family, every child is different.
Thank you for this post! Awesome ideas!
The only thing I don’t agree with is the age for loading dishes. My four year old is tall but she would not be able to load a dishwasher without using a chair. I also would not want her handling my knives. The rest of the chores seemed about right. I also think that unless you have a special needs child children should be able to do chores. You may have to work with them more but they still need to do them. Also, in the 1800s it was common that little girls could sew (very well) by the age of 5… and I think that as an American Society we tend to hold our kids back.
… My 21,20, 18 yr old are all on their own and do not ask for help, or money…I think it is because they know if they are on their own it is a statement that your an adult. OR….. Maybe they know mom is broke.. 
Simple rule in my house. If Mom is not sitting then you should be either. The house is everyone’s responsibility and too many parents try to “protect” their kids from life…. Start them now and they will grown up not knowing any difference..
I hand wash knives so that isn’t an issue in my house. I wouldn’t want young children loading knives in the dishwasher. Definitely dangerous.
That is a smart move too
… My looked at my girl and she really is tall for her age. I don’t think that she could load or unload without a step stool. I am very much waiting for that day to come…. 
lol… Trust me.. 
haha
This is a great post! Watching my 16 month old I amazed both at how helpful she wants to be, and how quickly she is gaining competence. Certainly as the eldest of 9 i was quite capable at an early age. I am really inspired to make sure my kids are helpful and ideally happy about it.
Wow! This is helpful.
Any ideas for those of us who messed up and didn’t start chores early enough on how to motivate the kid(s) to do them? My daughter is 6.5, and while in theory she’s supposed to pick up her toys and put them away (and that’s very much in theory, sadly), her only assigned job is unloading the dishwasher’s silverware tray. (Everything else in the dishwasher is up too high for her to do despite her being tall for her age.) And oh, my goodness, she acts so put upon when told there’s silverware to put away!
Thanks!
Funny you posted this today. My daughter is homeschooled and she read a book to me. In the book two little girls received chore money. My daughter said “what? Kids don’t get money for chores.” I laughed. I pointed to the picture and said “Who do you think bought these pretty beds, the sheets, pillows, and bedding?” She said “Their mommy and daddy” I then asked her if “she” thinks they should get money for taking care of something that was bought for them. She said no. lol. Six is not too old. Just explain to her that she lives in a house. She is a member of the family and everyone contributes to making the house run smoothly. It is not fair to expect others to carry the bulk of work and someone else constantly receive benefit from others work. When it came to toys, if I had to pick it up I put it in a bag and it did not come out again for about a month. If they had no toys that would be their choice. At six she will get the point pretty quickly. I have adult kids and younger kids. They all know me. I will tell them once and make sure they understand what I am saying. Laundry day, all pitch in. If someone can’t pick their clothes up and I hope they like wearing dirty clothes. lol. She is young, with a little creative thinking you can get your point across. One more story…lol… when my 21yr old was 8 I had to explain three different times something I needed her to do . She was not paying attention and in truth had quite the attitude. At the end when she finished her assignment I stated that I had to take an extra 30 minutes of my day explaining to her because she did not pay attention. I also told her that I could not get that time back and how important time really is to a mom of several kids. I then went to my chore list and said “Bathroom, you get to clean the bathroom”. It takes me 30 minutes of my time and now it is your chore.
… Hope this helps some 
I’ve raised three kids this way – 24, 18, and 14 now.
The only thing we did differently was teaching each stage of cooking skills an age younger, and as for the dishwasher – well, I solved that by moving the dishes to the lower cupboards,lol!
Sounds silly, but if the 4 yo is unloading and putting away, as well as setting the table ?
It’s easier.