Bethesda Country Day School

Involving your child in household chores can be a great way to teach them responsibility, boost their confidence, and promote independence. Studies show that kids who help with chores learn valuable life skills that will set them up for later success. Here are ten easy age-appropriate and fun chores for children:

Sorting Laundry/ Matching socks

Children can work on their classification skills as they sort clothes into different piles by type and match colors and patterns on socks.

Picking Up Toys

Encourage your child to help you clean by having them put their toys away. A great time to do this might be right after dinner or right before bedtime every day. If you’re at home throughout the day with your child, practice this exercise during transitions as well – moving from one activity to another or one space to another. This teaches children the benefits of tidying up as well as responsibility for their belongings.

Plant Care

This is a perfect weekly chore. With supervision, young children can help water indoor plants using a small watering can or even a small cup. Be sure to notice plant changes with your child and tell them that they are doing a great job helping the plants grow.

Setting and Clearing the Table

Have your child help you place dishes and napkins on the table before meals. After the meal, they can help bring dishes to the sink. This makes them feel like part of the family routine.

Pet Care

Children can scoop food into their pet’s bowl, give them water, and brush them! Helping take care of pets teaches responsibility and compassion.

Wiping Surfaces

Children love and can spend quite some time busy with this task! Give them a damp cloth and ask them to wipe down low furniture or baseboards, or even the walls! Tell them that this exercise gets rid of dust and makes a clean home.

Organizing Books

After reading books during your bedtime routine, ask your child to return the book to its place as well as arrange any other books that are out of place. This quick task keeps the bookshelf tidy and teaches organization.

Cooking

Children love to help cook! Ask them to help you add and mix ingredients. Even asking them to hand you things as you cook will help them feel useful and appreciated. Involving your child with this helps them learn to follow directions and can teach the basics of measurement.

Making the Bed

You’ve likely heard that making your bed starts the day off in a positive way and sets the tone for success. Ask your child to make their bed, keeping realistic expectations. You can start by having them spread out their blanket as best as they can and putting their pillows in the correct spot.

Choosing Clothes

Before your child goes to bed, have them pick out their outfit for the next day. This gives them a sense of ownership of their choices and decreases the chances of any clothing battles the next day.

Bonus Tips! Here’s how to make chore time fun:

Make it a game – Set a timer and challenge your child to see how many toys they can pick up before time runs out. This makes cleaning feel less like a task and more like a game!

Use a chore chart – Design or purchase a colorful chore chart and let your child choose which tasks they want to tackle each week. This gives them a sense of control and ownership. Implement a reward system for jobs well done.

Have a cleaning party – Put on some upbeat music and have a cleaning party! Get everyone involved in tidying up different areas of the house. Dancing and singing while you work can make chores feel like a celebration.

After your child finishes their chores, celebrate their efforts by praising their hard work and expressing how much you value their help. This positive reinforcement encourages them to keep helping and makes chores a fun and positive part of your family routine, creating lasting memories together.