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Parenting and child development

Age-appropriate chores

Household jobs matched to what a child can safely and realistically do at their age, growing in difficulty as they get older.

What It Means

Age-appropriate chores are household jobs chosen to fit what a child can do at their stage of development, safely and well enough to count. A 2-year-old can put toys in a bin, while a 12-year-old can shop from a list. HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) parenting site, and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension both treat chores as part of a child's development and suggest adding harder jobs as skills grow.

Try It: Pick an Age, See Example Chores

Pick an age. These are examples from HealthyChildren.org and MSU Extension, not a checklist every child must meet.

Example chores

Put toys away, help dress themselves, sort silverware into the drawer.

Show each step the first few times, and praise the effort over the result.

How Parents Say It

  • "He's old enough to empty the dishwasher."
  • "Everybody clears their own plate in this house."
  • "She makes her bed, sort of."

The Breakdown

Example chores by age, from HealthyChildren.org and MSU Extension

AgeExample chores
2 to 3Put toys away, help get dressed, sort clean silverware
4 to 5Help feed pets, make the bed, help clear the table
6 to 7Wipe tables and counters, put laundry away, vacuum
7 to 9Load and unload the dishwasher, help make meals, make their own lunch
1010,000 stepsA popular daily step goal that began as the name of a 1960s Japanese pedometer; later studies find health benefits begin well below it. See more to 11Change bedding, clean the kitchen or bathroom, mow the lawn
12 and upWash the car, babysit younger siblings, shop for groceries with a list

These are examples. Children develop at different paces, so start where your child is.

How to make chores stick

  1. Choose jobs that match your child's age and abilities.
  2. Give specific steps to younger children: "Put the socks in the top drawer."
  3. Skip perfection; they're still learning.
  4. Praise the effort they put in, over how the job turned out.
  5. Add a harder job once one is easy.

When to talk to the doctor. If self-careSelf-careTaking time to do things that help you live well and look after your physical and mental health, such as moving, sleeping, resting and staying in touch. See more jobs like dressing seem much harder for your child than for other children the same age, mention it to the pediatrician at the next checkup.

Good to Know

Safety sets the limits: jobs with a mower, stove, sharp knives or cleaning chemicals need an adult to judge readiness and supervise, whatever age a list gives. MSU Extension notes children of all ages can help in the kitchen with jobs that fit their age. If you pay for some chores, Buhata's chore moneyChore moneyMoney a child earns for jobs around the house, often paid for extra work beyond the chores everyone in the family is expected to do. See more page covers paying for extra jobs beyond the everyday ones.

FAQ

What chores can a 3-year-old do?

HealthyChildren.org and MSU Extension give examples like putting toys away, helping get dressed and sorting clean silverware. Show how the first few times and praise the effort.

What chores should a 10-year-old do?

Example chores for 10 to 11 include changing their bedding, cleaning the kitchen or bathroom and mowing the lawn, with an adult deciding when they're ready for tools like a mower.

Should kids be paid for chores?

Families differ. Some keep everyday chores unpaid as part of family life and pay only for extra jobs, the approach Buhata's chore money page walks through.

Do It in Buhata

Household Rewards and Tasks

Add each child's chores to Household Rewards in a Household Space in Buhata, with an owner and a repeat, and swap in a harder job once one gets easy.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Chore money

    Money a child earns for jobs around the house, often paid for extra work beyond the chores everyone in the family is expected to do.

  • Life skills for kids

    The everyday abilities children need to handle daily life, from WHO's thinking and people skills to practical ones like cooking and self-care.

  • Sticker chart

    A chart where a young child earns a sticker right after each target behavior, with stickers adding up to small and larger rewards.

  • Allowance

    A set amount of money a child gets on a regular schedule to manage, often with an agreement about what it has to cover.

Parenting and child development

Sources

HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Age-Appropriate Chores for Children"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Household Chores for Teens"; Michigan State University Extension, "The benefits of kids doing chores"; Michigan State University Extension, "The benefits of chores for your child"; Michigan State University Extension, "Children of all ages can help in the kitchen"

Last updated .