Age-Appropriate Chores: How to Help Kids Be Responsible

By Sheila Seifert

Dirty dishes. Messy bedrooms. Toys on the living room floor. Some days, there just isn't a good way to avoid the chore wars. But there is always tomorrow, and you can be proactive. Ask yourself, What chores are important for my children to learn, and what are they capable of doing?

Before finding the answer, recognize the difference between a chore (an ongoing task that benefits the household) and a life skill (an activity that children should know how to do before living on their own, such as managing a checking account). The following list is not a life-skills checklist. It is a list of age-appropriate chores.

As you view it, remember that every child matures at a different pace. Adjust this chart to what you know about your children's skills and talents, and realize that no child should do all of the chores listed below every day. (And if you want to set the scene for your kids, have them listen to Signed, Sealed and Committed, an Adventures in Odyssey album in which some kids threaten to go on a chore strike. Or have them read about some of the chores that kids did in Jericho within the story "Trapped!" in Bible Kidventures: Stories of Danger and Courage.)

The following list is only meant as a guide and reflects the types of chores that many children in specific age ranges are capable of completing.

Ages 2 and 3

Personal chores

• Assist in making their beds

• Pick up playthings with your supervision

Family chores

• Take their dirty laundry to the laundry basket

• Fill a pet's water and food bowls (with supervision)

• Help a parent clean up spills and dirt

• Dust

Ages 4 and 5

Note: This age can be trained to use a family chore chart.

Personal chores

• Get dressed with minimal parental help

• Make their bed with minimal parental help

• Bring their things from the car to the house

• Pick up their toys

• Wash hands

Family chores

• Set the table with supervision

• Clear the table with supervision

• Help a parent prepare food

• Help a parent carry in the lighter groceries

• Sort colors for the laundry

• Match socks after clothing is washed

• Answer the phone with parental assistance

• Be responsible for a pet's food and water bowl

• Dust with supervision

• Hang up towels in the bathroom

• Clean their room with supervision

• Clean floors with a dry mop

Ages 6 and 7

Note: This age can be supervised to use a family chore chart.

Personal chores

• Make their bed every day

• Brush teeth

• Comb hair

• Choose the day's outfit and get dressed

• Write thank you notes with supervision

Family chores

• Be responsible for a pet's food, water and exercise

• Vacuum individual rooms

• Wet mop individual rooms

• Dust individual rooms

• Fold laundry with supervision

• Put their laundry in their drawers and closets

• Put away dishes from the dishwasher

• Help prepare food with supervision

• Clean their room when asked

• Empty indoor trash cans

• Answer the phone with supervision