This video by How to Dad got us thinking — what chores are appropriate for what ages.
Not all babies can pull off what How to Dad’s baby was able to, and that’s ok, your kid is talented in other ways. So when your kids start helping around the house?
Elizabeth Pantley, the author of The No-Cry Solution, has a few tips on when to introduce different responsibilities around the house.
“Keep in mind that a child who has mastered a complicated computer game can easily run the dishwasher.” — Elizabeth Pantley
Children 2–3
- Put toys away
- Fill pet’s food dish
- Put clothes in hamper
- Wipe up spills
- Dust
- Pile books and magazines
Children 4–5
- Make their bed
- Empty wastebaskets
- Bring in mail or newspaper
- Clear table
- Pull weeds, if you have a garden
- Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs
- Water flowers
- Unload utensils from dishwasher
- Wash plastic dishes at sink
- Fix bowl of cereal
Children 6–7
- Sort laundry
- Sweep floors
- Set and clear table
- Help make and pack lunch
- Weed and rake leaves
- Keep bedroom tidy
Children 8–9
- Load dishwasher
- Put away groceries
- Vacuum
- Help make dinner
- Make own snacks
- Wash table after meals
- Put away own laundry
- Sew buttons
- Make their own breakfast
- Peel vegetables
- Cook simple foods, such as toast
- Mop floor
- Take pet for a walk
Children 10+
- Unload dishwasher
- Fold laundry
- Clean bathroom
- Wash windows
- Wash car
- Cook simple meal with supervision
- Iron clothes
- Do laundry
- Clean kitchen
- Change their bed sheets
Many of our housecleaners just happen to be parents and often help families come up with an easy-to-maintain cleaning routine for the entire family. If you need a hand, let us know, and we’ll pair you with the right person to get your family on track to a more organized home.
