Put Your Kids to Work – Age Appropriate Chores for Your Toddler and Preschooler

Here are some age-appropriate chores for your toddler and preschool aged kids:
Father and daughter washing dishes

Having your little one help out with the chores can fill them with a sense a pride and set them up for valuable skills throughout their lives. Children as young as 2 can partake in chores and should be encouraged to help often and routinely. Here are some age-appropriate chores for your toddler and preschool aged kids:

 

Ages 2-3

  • Place their plates or silverware in the sink (or bring them to mom or dad if they can’t reach)
  • Throw away trash
  • Wipe down the cupboards, floor or refrigerator with a damp washcloth
  • Pick up toys and put them in their designated spots
  • Help with feeding the family pet
  • Put dirty clothes in hamper
  • Toss diapers/pull-ups into the trash can
  • Get themselves dressed/pick out clothes for the day
  • Dry dishes and put them away (the ones they can reach)
  • Put clothes in dryer

Child loading dishwasher

Ages 4-5

  • Everything from the list above
  • Make their bed
  • Clean their bedroom and organize books and toys
  • Lay out their clothes/outfit and dress themselves
  • Make their own food – something easy like a sandwich or pouring a drink
  • Fold laundry and put it away
  • Sweep the floor
  • Wipe down the table and counter tops (in reach)
  • Help clean dishes in the sink/load the dishwasher
  • Pull weeds
  • Water plants

Ages 6-7

  • Vacuum
  • Help with outdoor chores (rake the leaves, put away outdoor toys, pick up dog poop etc.)
  • Get the mail (if appropriate)
  • Unload the dishwasher and put dishes away
  • Cut up vegetables for dinner
  • Help pack backpack and lunch
  • Help put groceries away
  • Load the dishwasher