This is only a partial list to get you started with your own ideas. For greater success, discuss possible chores and let children choose their own responsibilities.
Chore List: One Year Old
- Pick up toys
- Pretend cleaning (wipe up spills, dust, sweeping, vacuuming)
Chore List: Two to Three Years Old
- Help make up beds
- Help feed pets
- Help sort laundry
- Place spoons and napkins on table
- Unload plastic dishes, spoons and forks from dishwasher
- Check bathrooms to be sure there’s an extra roll of toilet paper
- Put clothes in hamper
- Get dressed
- Match clean socks
- Clean spills
- Water plants
- Empty wastebasket
Chore List: Four to Five Years Old
- Make bed
- Set and clear the table
- Dust
- Help put away groceries
- Use the hand vac to clean up
- Bring in mail
- Pull weeds
- Take folded laundry to correct rooms
- Fix bowl of cereal
- Put food away after meals when within child’s reach
Chore List: Six to Eight Years Old
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Help fold clothes
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Put away clean laundry
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Help with simple cooking and food preparation
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Vacuum
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Take out the trash
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Rake leaves
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Clean bedroom
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Wash dishes
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Fold socks and put away
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Load dishwasher
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Sort dirty clothes into whites and colors
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Sweep
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Walk pet
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Put away groceries
Chore List: Nine to Ten Years Old
- Wash dishes by hand and unload dishwasher
- Prepare simple meals
- Change sheets on beds
- Learn to use the washer and dryer
- Clean bathrooms
- Help with yard work
- Help wash the car
- Scrub the floors
- Clean the kitchen
Chore List: Eleven Years Old or Older
- Help with younger children
- Any household responsibilities than an adult would do