Introducing chores to your kids can be as much of a chore as doing the actual work, but involving your kids in housework and spring cleaning can benefit them greatly. Engaging in housework will teach your kids responsibility and contributing to chores will help your kids realize that they play an important role in running the household. Kids will also learn about organization and self-discipline, which are essential to many aspects of life.
When kids work on chores together - either with siblings or their parents - it helps them learn to compromise and collaborate on tasks. They can assign themselves different roles and it will help them learn to be flexible and take responsibility. Your kids will gain confidence and grow self-esteem from their ability to accomplish tasks around the house.
Tips for Spring Cleaning:
- Promote teamwork. On their own, chores can feel like a sentence, but working alongside you or a sibling, the teamwork and camaraderie can motivate them or make a chore more bearable.
- Don’t wait until they are done to praise or thank them. Encouraging your kids as they work on a task can build positive momentum and will boost their self-confidence.
- Don’t tie chores to money because it is important for kids to associate chores as a contribution to something bigger—helping the family run smoothly and responsibly. Instead, motivate your kids with a healthier experience, like going to their favorite restaurant, engaging in a fun family activity, or watching a new or favorite movie.
- Delegate chores on a list or divide jobs between “teams” to make them feel more independent and capable. Having a healthy competition to see who can accomplish their jobs the fastest can be a fun way to finish the chores.
For more tips to make spring cleaning less of a chore, visit Spring Cleaning: 13 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Involved.
Some chores need to be assigned based on your kids’ ages - not all chores are appropriate for every kid to be assigned. You’ll know best which chores your children are able to complete, but below is a guide to get you started:
Ages 2 to 3
Note: These tasks will require supervision.
- Put toys away
- Put clothes in hamper
- Dress self
- Help feed pets
- Help clean spills
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| Image by Donne Ray Jones via Flickr |
Ages 4 to 5
- Make their bed
- Help clear the table
- Water flowers
- Wipe baseboards
- Pull weeds and plant seeds
- Unload utensils
- Dust
- Empty wastebaskets
- Purge clothing and toys
- Strip the bed linens
- Wipe down walls and cupboard doors
Ages 6 to 7
- Sort laundry
- Clean kitchen counters
- Set and clear table
- Sweep kitchen floors
- Help pack lunch
- Keep room tidy
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| Image by David D via Flickr |
Chores for Ages 8 to 9
Note: Kids can start working independently with a chore chart.
- Make personal snacks
- Vacuum
- Put away groceries
- Load dishwasher
- Put away laundry
- Take pet for a walk
- Help make dinner
Ages 10 to 12
- Fold laundry
- Clean light fixtures
- Learn to use washer and dryer/ Do laundry
- Clean kitchen
- Help clean and vacuum car interior
- Reorganize books, movies, and video games
- Take care of houseplants
- Help maintain appliances like light bulbs, vacuum bag
- Mow the lawn
Chores for Ages 13 and Older
- Babysit
- Make meals
- Help paint
- Can supervise younger siblings
- Rearrange room
- Clean bathroom
- Sew/iron clothes
- Dog sit
- Shampoo the carpet
- Organize closets
- Deep clean appliances
- Responsible for maintaining own car
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a bore. Engage in age-appropriate chores and encourage your kids to help out!
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