It is important to develop household routines that children can follow daily. Just like a bedtime routine, other rooms in the house have routines too. All chores require teaching and supervision, so even though some things listed may seem unlikely, with consistent guidance the chores can be accomplished.
Remember to assign household chores appropriate for their height and weight (don’t expect a 2 year old to vacuum when it is taller than him!), and chores they can SAFELY handle. Younger siblings will want to help do chores at an earlier age so include them on cleaning day, too!
Age Two:
- Help with laundry - putting dirty laundry in basket, pushing laundry baskets down the hall, carry small amounts of folded clothes to their room
- Put away shoes, hang up coat, and clean up toys
- Carry light grocery items inside
- Empty plastic cups from dishwasher (provided drawer is height accessible, and leave them last when emptying)
Ages 3 & 4:
- Help sort laundry and put in machines
- Begin folding own laundry
- Organization skilled chores – books on shelves, toys in proper bins, clothes in drawers
- Empty and sort silverware from dishwasher (remove knives first!)
- Straighten covers on bed
- Light dusting with cloth or hand duster – coffee tables, end tables, window sills
- Carry recycling to container
- Get mail (with outside supervision)
- Clear and set table for mealtime (no sharp knives), put dirty dishes in sink
- Wash non-breakables in sink (bit messy, but they love bubbles, sponge and water!)
- Weed garden – make sure they get the roots!
Ages 5 and above:
- Feed the fish/dog/cat
- Empty bathroom trash cans
- Using Clorox wipes – clean bathroom sinks, kitchen counters, and table
- Completely empty dishwasher – even if chair is necessary to stand on to reach shelves, and refill with dirty dishes
- Carry and properly put away laundry
- Properly put away groceries
- Vacuum (use hose attachments, too!)
- Prepare morning cereal and milk, make toast with butter (using bamboo tongs to remove toast), make PBJ’s, crack and scramble eggs (I cook)
- Begin use of microwave
- Rake leaves
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