Chores teach kids that they are part of a team, that work comes before rewards, and that doing what you said you would do builds trust. The hard part is knowing what a child can really handle. Here is a list of chores by age, plus a few ideas for making them stick.
Chores for ages 3 to 5
At this age the goal is the habit, not a perfect result. Keep each chore short and show your child how first.
- Put toys back in a bin
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper
- Help feed a pet, with a grown-up
- Wipe up small spills
- Carry their plate to the kitchen
Chores for ages 6 to 8
- Make their bed
- Set and clear the table
- Water plants
- Sort laundry by color
- Pack their school bag the night before
Chores for ages 9 to 12
- Load or empty the dishwasher
- Take out the trash and recycling
- Vacuum a room
- Fold and put away their own laundry
- Help make a simple meal
Chores for teens
- Do their own laundry from start to finish
- Mow the lawn or rake leaves
- Clean a bathroom
- Cook a family meal once a week
- Help a younger sibling with a chore
How to make chores stick
Make it clear what done means. "Clean your room" is vague. "Toys in the bin and clothes in the hamper" is a chore a child can finish.
Give each chore a size. A small, medium or large chore helps kids see that bigger jobs earn more. In Kiddie Kredit, small, medium and large chores earn 1, 3 and 5 Bamboo Bucks.
Check it, then celebrate it. Kids learn the most when a grown-up looks at the work. In Kiddie Kredit, a child taps Done and a grown-up approves it or sends it back, even from a notification.
Reward being on time. Doing a chore when it is due is the habit that matters most later in life, because paying bills on time is the biggest part of a real credit score. In Kiddie Kredit, chores done on time count most toward a child's Kredit Score.
Frequently asked questions
What age should kids start doing chores?
Many families start around age 3 with simple jobs like putting toys away. What matters is starting small and staying consistent.
Should kids get paid for chores?
It is a family choice. Some families pay money, others use points or privileges. Kiddie Kredit uses Bamboo Bucks, and you decide what they are worth and what they can buy.
How many chores should a child have?
Two or three a day is plenty for most kids. A short list they finish beats a long list they ignore.
Want a simple way to run chores at home? Kiddie Kredit is the chore app for kids that teaches credit. It is free to start on iPhone, iPad and Android.
