Research suggests that children who do chores may exhibit higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity, and delayed gratification.⁠ ⁠ Research also suggests that involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life.

It’s believed to be one of the best predictors of young adult's success in their mid-20s⁠ ⁠

Why are chores important?

How can making the bed, taking out the trash, and wiping their own pee off the toilet help them gain important life skills that help them throughout their lives?!⁠ ⁠

Well, it’s pretty simple. As children complete these tasks, they experience feelings of competence. Allowing them to feel capable of doing things on their own.⁠ ⁠Chores teach them important family dynamics. ⁠ Helping them to understand the importance of everyone’s role in the home. It allows a child to feel needed within their family unit. ⁠ Holding them accountable for their chores increases their sense of responsibility and teaches them independence.⁠ Chores can create a work ethic in our children that will help build the character that we want them to have. It helps eliminate entitlement and can give our children feelings of importance. Not to mention, having low expectations of our children’s abilities and not teaching them everyday life skills can limit their ability to function at age-appropriate levels. 

Bottom line, in order to help your children be successful, capable, independent adults they have to learn life skills. Chores are the greatest way to teach them those important skills.  ⁠ 

Now before you go creating a long list of things to add to your child’s chore chart, here are a few things to consider. Remember that every child matures at a different pace. Think about your child’s skills and stage of development, then adjust the chores you select for them accordingly. No child should do all of the chores listed below every day. 

should I give my child an allowance?

Chores are beneficial in two ways: They help contribute to the household and teach valuable life skills. Remember the importance of recognizing the two roles they play. Assigning chores with the benefit of an allowance gives our children the opportunity to learn how to earn money, the feelings of satisfaction of having their own money to spend and how to handle money. 

Prior to starting an allowance, discuss the importance of handling money. Make sure they learn the importance of tithing, saving, and budgeting. You can never start too soon by teaching your child how to earn and manage money. If you’re thinking about giving your children a chore-based allowance, here are a few tips to get you started!⁠ ⁠ 

1. Determine a set amount & a pay date! – A good rule of thumb is to let them make their age. However, I determined their amount based on what they do & how often they are required to do them. ⁠ ⁠ 

2. Be clear on what they are paid for and what they are not! – Remember, some chores help contribute to the household and some are meant to develop life skills. It’s up to you to determine which ones are tied to your child’s allowance. I don’t have a list of everything my kids get paid for however, they do understand that not all chores contribute to their allowance. Some things are simply required as part of their family role!⁠ ⁠ 

3. Set up a bank account! There’s no better feeling than when your check hits your account! ⁠ Handling a debit card is serious business! It comes with the responsibility of balancing your checkbook & the art of buying only what you can afford. It’s been a great learning experience for our teens. We set up a bank account that ties to ours. Allowing us to set spending limits & decline charges that would essentially place him into overdraft. This has taught him how to save and be conscious of his spending. ⁠ ⁠ 

4. Teach them the importance of a budget! ⁠ Only 41% of US households follow a budget. While 65% of Americans have little to nothing saved! ⁠ My 7-year-old is a master of saving. He sets aside his tithes, a few dollars for spending, and squirrels away the rest!⁠ ⁠ 

5. Don’t withhold allowance as punishment! For us, an allowance is a teaching tool, that empowers our children and prepares them for independence. Using it as a disciplinary tool can disrupt the skills we want them to gradually build! ⁠ ⁠ 

Chore Chart By Age

Here is a list of chores by age that can help you create a chore chart based on your child’s age and stage of development.

2-3 years old

With guidance and supervision, toddlers can complete the following chores:

Put their toys away

Place clothing in the hamper 

Wipe up spills

Pile up books and magazines on shelves or tables

Unload the dishwasher (silverware, plastic cups, Tupperware)

Dust with a feather duster or microfiber rag

Collect dirty clothes

Help get clothes from washer to dryer

Make bed (put pillows and blankets on the bed)

Wipe cabinets

 

4-5 years old

With improved hand-eye coordination preschoolers have the ability to follow more complex instructions and have the ability to remember and follow simple instructions. Adding on to the chores listed above, this age group can help with the following household duties:

Make their bed 

Clear the table

Water flowers

Put away clean utensils

Help bring in groceries

Sort laundry into whites and colors

Match socks together

Care for an animal’s food and water dish

Take out recycling

Match socks

Fold dish towels

 

6-9 years old

Here’s where it gets fun! Children entering this stage of development may begin to show signs of rebellion. 6-9 years of age has been identified as one of the challenging ages to parent. However, with their increased cognitive and physical development along with patience and persistence, your child can continue helping with more complex household chores. Such as:

Sweep floors

Make their own lunch

Pull weeds

Clean their bedrooms

Put away groceries

Load the dishwasher

Vacuum

Wipe down counters and sinks

Help a parent prepare dinner  

Make themselves snacks/breakfast

Wipe the table after meals

Fold and put away their laundry

Empty indoor trash bins into the kitchen trash

Wipe bathroom sinks, counters, toilets

Get mail

 

10- 13 years old

Independence becomes extremely important at this age. Preteens can do many tasks independently and be held responsible for them without constant reminders. Create a chore chart for your child and hold them responsible for completing their daily assigned tasks before leisure time. This will increase feelings of self-reliance and responsibility.

Wash the dishes or load the dishwasher 

Wash the family car

Take trash to the bins

Babysit younger siblings with parents at home

Make meals

Take garbage/ recycling to the curb

Wash/ dry clothes

Clean bathrooms

Mop floors

14 years and older

Despite the challenges that come with raising teens, there is a silver lining to having a hormonal teen living under your roof! By this age, high schoolers are able to complete almost any household task. Chores are now assigned for reasons outside of helping the household. They are to help prepare them for independent living. These learned life skills will help make their transition into adulthood a little easier. In addition to the tasks listed above, children over the age of fourteen can complete the following chores:

Clean out the fridge

Help deep clean kitchen 

Clean the toilet, sink, and shower in the bathroom

Clean windows

Babysit younger siblings independently 

Care for pets

Make more complex meals

Accomplish small shopping trips alone 

Iron clothes

Mow yard

Supervise younger sibling’s chores

In order to help your children be successful, capable, independent adults they have to learn life skills. Give your kids the gift of independence! Make a chore chart. ⁠ Show your kids how & when to do it. Then kick your feet up and enjoy the ‘free’ labor you clearly overpaid for 😂⁠ ⁠