Kids doing chores is always a debate in the parenting world. It is not just about whether kids should do chores, but how often and which. If you decide to have your kids do chores, here are some free printable chore charts for kids.
When our kids were younger, we assigned age-appropriate chores to each one. Daily tasks included picking up their toys at the end of the day, putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket, and brushing their teeth. I know brushing my teeth isn't technically a chore, but it was necessary to list it as one when my kids were younger. Not only did it give them a sense of having completed a task, but it also helped them establish it as a habit.
As they have grown older, their chores have adjusted accordingly, too. Now, they are helping more in the kitchen, such as unloading the clean dishes from the dishwasher, taking out the recycling to be sorted, and cleaning their bathroom.
I've also added in the weekly chores they do every Thursday. On this day, each kid dusts and vacuums their rooms, picks up any stray trash (my kids are famous for this), and takes any dishes to the kitchen. They also take turns vacuuming the hallway upstairs, vacuuming the living room, and sweeping the front room each Thursday. This way, the house is cleaned before the weekend because no chores are done on the weekends. (There are no chores on the weekends. I do not want to do chores on the weekend, so I don't want them to do it either. So the weekends are freebies.)
Age Appropriate Chores
Here’s a handy list of age-appropriate chores based on different age groups:
Ages 2-3:
- Pick up toys and books
- Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket
- Help feed pets with supervision
- Wipe up spills
Ages 4-5:
- Make their bed
- Water plants
- Set the table (with help)
- Help sort laundry by color
- Put away clean clothes (easy-to-reach drawers)
Ages 6-7:
- Sweep floors
- Help pack their lunch
- Match socks when folding laundry
- Put away dishes from the dishwasher (non-sharp items)
Ages 8-10:
- Fold and put away laundry
- Take out the trash
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Help with meal preparation (washing vegetables, mixing ingredients)
- Load/unload dishwasher
Ages 11-13:
- Clean their room, including dusting
- Take care of pets (feeding, walking)
- Mow the lawn (with guidance)
- Wash and fold laundry
- Clean the bathroom
Ages 14+:
- Cook simple meals
- Do laundry from start to finish
- Wash the car
- Run errands (if safe)
- Help with grocery shopping
Any chore you do at home can be adjusted to have kids help. Assigning chores can help teach responsibility and independence, plus it's a great way to lighten the load at home!
Benefits of Kids Doing Chores
Chores are a great way to teach kids life skills and valuable lessons. Here’s a breakdown of what chores can help teach:
Responsibility:
Completing chores helps children learn to take ownership of tasks and understand the importance of following through.
Independence:
By learning how to do basic tasks, children develop self-sufficiency and the confidence to manage things independently.
Time Management:
Having regular chores teaches kids how to manage their time and balance tasks with other activities, such as school or play.
Work Ethic:
Chores show that hard work is a part of life, and accomplishing tasks can be rewarding, especially when they benefit the family.
Teamwork and Cooperation:
Participating in household chores helps children understand that they are part of a team (the family) and that everyone needs to pitch in to keep things running smoothly.
Life Skills:
Practical tasks like cooking, cleaning, and managing finances (later on) are essential life skills that will help them as they grow up and become independent.
Respect for Their Environment:
By contributing to the cleanliness and upkeep of the home, kids develop a sense of pride and respect for their surroundings.
Appreciation:
When children participate in household chores, they begin to appreciate the effort required to maintain a home and may show more gratitude toward others who help.
Chores are not just about keeping things tidy—they play a significant role in shaping a child’s character and preparing them for the future. Plus, teamwork at home can be fun!
How Kids Helping with Chores Eases Fibromyalgia for Parents
For parents living with fibromyalgia, managing day-to-day tasks can be incredibly challenging due to chronic pain, fatigue, and the physical toll of the condition. Having children help with chores is beneficial for the kids and offers much-needed relief to parents dealing with this condition. Parents can conserve their limited energy for other activities, like self-care or work, by involving children in household responsibilities. This delegation of tasks allows parents to pace themselves, a crucial strategy for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. In turn, this can help reduce flare-ups and enable them better to manage daily life's physical and emotional stress.
Additionally, sharing the household workload fosters a sense of teamwork within the family, which can be especially valuable when living with a chronic illness. Children who pitch in learn responsibility and the importance of contributing to family well-being. This not only lightens the burden on parents but also strengthens family bonds. With less physical strain, parents can focus on managing their condition more effectively through gentle exercise, relaxation techniques, or simply resting when needed.
In the long run, having children help with chores can create a healthier home environment where everyone contributes, reducing the overall stress that can trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. It's a win-win situation: kids gain life skills, and parents find relief from the physical demands of maintaining a household.
Free Printable Chore Charts
These printable chore charts are easy for kids of all ages to use - daily and weekly. There are various designs to choose from, too.
Pro Tip: Laminate the charts, put them in a picture frame, or put them in a page protector before hanging them on the wall. Write on them with dry-erase markers.
Chore Chart Placement
Location, location, location! With anything else, where the charts are located is key. When the kids were younger, we posted their chore charts on the fridge where everyone could see them. It also served as a visual reminder to complete chores. Thanks to fibromyalgia, I struggle with remembering even the daily tasks, so the kitchen was the best place to keep them right under our family calendar.
We had a list of daily chores and 'bonus' chores on their charts. These were additional, optional chores. I would think of the chores I needed help with and write down different ones on each child's chart according to their age. If they didn't do it, it was no big deal. If they did complete it, then at the end of the week, they got a reward—just a little extra incentive for helping out around the house.
Astronaut
Colorful with Points
Dinosaur
Jurassic
Pet
Under the Sea
Unicorn Magic
Plain: Weekly + Daily
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