A parent’s guide to chores for kids

Little kids love helping mum and dad. Harness that enthusiasm and teach your kids to be useful. You never know they might grow into teenagers who clean their room… Well, it’s worth a shot!

Adults know there’s a whole lot of work that goes into running a home, keeping it clean and everyone fed. Encouraging children to help with those chores teaches them important skills, as well as teamwork, responsibility and independence. The tasks will probably take a little longer to complete, particularly as your child is learning, but it can be truly lovely to work alongside your little helper.

Why are chores good for kids?

Chores for kids provide a range of developmental benefits:

• Fostering responsibility: Giving children small tasks at home helps instil in them a sense of responsibility and contributes to their confidence in completing tasks independently.
• Building independence and self-esteem: Completing chores and learning new skills gives children a sense of accomplishment, which boosts their self-esteem and helps them feel capable.
• Learning life skills: Chores introduce children to basic household tasks, helping them develop skills such as organisation, time management and problem-solving.
• Collaboration and teamwork: When children contribute to family chores, it fosters a sense of teamwork and reinforces positive social behaviours.

At what age should kids start doing chores?

It’s important to take into account a child’s age and ability when allocating chores for kids. Chores need to be achievable, so the tasks remain fun and rewarding rather than frustrating. Even young children, around age 3, can start with basic tasks that match their developmental stage. When children show an interest in helping, try to find a way they can be involved. As children grow, they can contribute in a more meaningful way.

Chores for kids by age

• Toddlers: Help make the bed, put away toys and books, put dirty clothes in the hamper, put clothes in the washing machine, dust.
• Pre-schoolers: Set the table, make the bed, dust, help put away groceries, sort laundry into whites and colours, tidy their room.
• School-aged children: Feed pets, vacuum, fold and put away clothes, stack and unstack the dishwasher, put away groceries, help make dinner.

The role of chore charts

A chore chart can be a helpful prompt to remind children what jobs they can help with each day. A chores chart for kids can be as simple as a list of jobs with space to tick them off once they’re completed. Some children are motivated by being able to place a sticker on the chore chart once a task is completed. Older children may have to show they have completed every task on the chore chart to access privileges or pocket money.

Chore chart templates

There is a huge selection of printable chore chart templates online for parents to download and use at home. You may like to print multiple copies or have one copy laminated to write on with a whiteboard marker and then wipe clean each week to reuse. Here are three free, printable chore chart templates that you can download without having to sign up to anything first:

• Sticker chart template: This chore chart lists the chores as pictures, making it easy for young children to “read”. There’s space next to each chore to place a sticker once the chore has been completed. Challenge your child to earn a sticker for every space.
• Weekly chore chart template: Keep track of jobs that need doing around the house by having your child tick off tasks on the day they’re completed with this printable chore chart.
• Personalised chore chart template: Parents can customise this chore chart to their child’s abilities, with space to list chores to complete each day as well as weekly jobs.

How can you keep children motivated to do chores?

A chores list for kids can be motivating but, even better, is actually enjoying the tasks. Have fun working alongside your child! Pop on some tunes and sing while you get jobs done. Set aside a time when the whole family gets stuck in and prepares dinner or folds the washing together. Praise your child for contributing and make a fuss of them when they master new skills.

Should children be rewarded or paid for doing chores?

This is entirely up to you. There is joy in being part of a team and contributing to family life but, as children get older, it can be useful to motivate them with stickers on a chore chart or money.

How much should I pay my children for chores?

A 2023 survey of Australian parents by comparison website Finder found kids were being paid an average of $8 a week pocket money. Giving children money for chores is a way to help children learn to value money and start learning about finance. Paying a set weekly allowance for completed chores is a simple system, or parents can choose to pay children set amounts for particular chores. Read our parent’s guide to pocket money for more tips.

What to do if a child refuses to do chores?

Natural consequences can be helpful, such as being unable to wear a favourite t-shirt because it’s not clean, because it wasn’t put in the washing basket. Older children may not be able to have a friend visit if their room isn’t clean. Another tactic is to offer a choice of two chores or let children know they may miss out on a sticker for their chore chart.

Encouraging teamwork at Edge Early Learning

Our educators encourage children to work with their peers to help pack up toys, books and games before moving onto new activities. We often sing while we work and pitch in and help our friends.