Chores for Kids by Ages (Age-Appropriate Kids Chores & Allowance List)

Wondering why chores for kids are so crucial and which kid’s chores are age appropriate for your children? Read on…

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But, before we get into the kid chores list, let’s cover some important considerations.

Chores for Kids List and Allowance Suggestions

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Why assign chores to children?

Chores play a major role in our children’s foundation.

Studies have shown that children who do chores early on, “have higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school”. (Source)

Learning responsibility from childhood ensures that later in life our children:

are self-efficient
are more responsible
learn how to contribute
are more grateful

In addition, having chores and completing them give our kids a sense of pride and accomplishment.

It helps them feel important, appreciated, needed, and a valuable part of the family nucleus.

It teaches team how to be part of a team and the importance of their contribution. Chores not only teach them how to be responsible by doing things for themselves, but also compassion and consideration for others (their parents).

In other words, chores for kids are a MUST!

Age Appropriate Chore Assignments

As important as chores are, it is also important to ensure we are assigning age appropriate tasks.

Because our children develop different skills with age, assigning them with chores they aren’t ready for may cause frustration and irritability.

The chores for kids list in this article will give you a pretty good idea as to which children chores might be appropriate for your child.

However, all kids are different. Some mature and develop more rapidly than others and they might be able to handle a little more despite their age.

That is why is it best that you select chores for your child that are not only age appropriate, but that are a good fit for their developmental stage.

Another thing to take into consideration is your family dynamic.

Some children, especially older ones, might have other responsibilities outside of the home.

So, putting it all into perspective, here are a few things to consider when you are selecting chores for your children:

their age
their developmental stage
the number of children you have and how you can divide responsibilities
other responsibilities they might have (e.g. sports, extracurricular activities, musical instrument practice, etc.)

Make a Chore Chart

Chore charts are extremely important in helping you and your kids stay organized.

A chore chart sets expectations and serves as motivation to get things done in a timely manner.

Here is how to go about it:

Start by creating a list of chores that align with your family’s dynamic
Remember to choose age appropriate chores for your kids
Assign chores to each child
Plug them in to a weekly calendar
Add allowance amount and/or reward (if applicable)

Now, there are parents that like to chart every single daily routine in children’s chart such “brush your teeth and brush your hair”.

Although they might be beneficial for younger kids, they aren’t necessarily chores, they are daily necessities. Therefore, making them part of a daily routines chart instead is a better idea.

Note: If you would like to implement a Chores and Rewards System that works then consider the Chores Toolkit Bundle!

With the Chores Bundle Toolkit you will receive a 10-Page PDF containing:

Step-by-Step Instructions
Chores and Allowance Master List
Chore Chart (Daily/Weekly Tracker)
Reward Systems Guide
50 Reward Ideas
My Reward Ideas Brainstorm Page
Chore Bucks Cutouts ($1, $3, $5,$10)
No-Chores Coupon Cutouts (1-Day, 3-Day, 5-Day)

You can learn more here!

Chore Instruction and Expectations

It is important to set expectations and chore rules from the beginning.

Before you start implementing daily and weekly chores for your kids, ensure you sit your kids down and have a “chore meeting”.

Use that time to discuss the chore chart, expectations, and rewards.

Allow them to ask questions and ask them questions as well.

In addition to expectations and rewards, teach them how to perform the chores assign to them by demonstrating it a few times.

Don’t just assume your children know how to do something because they have “done it before”.

This is especially true for younger children.

By doing it together the first time they will not only learn the correct way of doing chores, but it will motivate them to do them even more.

So, remember:

show them how to do the chores on their list correctly
help them do it a few times if they need help
allow them to do then alone

By doing it this way you won’t need to micromanage them because you know they will be doing it exactly how you taught them.

Granting Allowance and Rewards for Chores

So, the big question… Should I give my kids an allowance for doing chores?

Yes and no.

Let me explain…

Daily shores such as making their bed, taking their dirty clothes to the hamper and taking the dishes to the sink are responsibilities that are expected of them.

In addition, other chores such as feeding the dogs, taking their folded clothes to their drawers, and setting the table are part of their contribution to the family nucleus.

Therefore, these chores for kids should not be done for monetary compensation, in my opinion and that of many other experts.

Another way to offer positive reinforcement to your children by keeping up and completing chores is to offer them rewards.

CHORE REWARDS

You can always opt to reward your child weekly with something they like as an incentive for good behavior and for being responsible (go out for ice cream or buy them a book).

This is especially true for younger kids who are just starting to learn about responsibility and duties.

Chore Rewards can be anything you consider appropriate for their age and they can be given at the end of the week.

You can brainstorm with your children as to what the rewards should be. Discussing rewards with them will motivate them to get their chores done on time.

Here are some examples of chore rewards for younger kids:

out for ice cream
a book of their choice
a toy under $10
new game for their tablet

CHORE ALLOWANCES

Typically, an allowance is a set amount of money that a parent grants their child on a weekly/monthly basis. The idea of an allowance is to help the child learn to receive, save, and manage their own earnings, thus learning the value of money.

However, was the allowance really “earned”? Therefore, how much are they really learning about “money value?”

That is where Chore Allowances come in! If an allowance is granted without labor, in other words “just because”, the child by default it is less likely to value this asset. On the other hand, if they work for their allowance, it allows for money appreciation and value.

Instead of an allowance think of it as a “commission” or a “compensation”. If they complete the work that is expected of them, they will receive a commission. Simple.

With that said…..

Allowances work best for older kids who already know how to be responsible. Chores for allowance should be those that are a bit more task specific and more difficult in nature.

Important: Basic, everyday tasks should not be compensated as they are part of their responsibility as a member of the family.

Allowance also help kids; especially young adults, manage money and learn to appreciate it!

Examples of kids’ chores that might include an allowance or are pulling weeds, tutoring siblings, babysitting siblings, cleaning toilets, dusting blinds…etc.

Example of allowance or compensations methods include:

Weekly set allowance for completing weekly chores and extra tasks
Pay-per-chore basis on chores that are deeded “money earners” (not daily, expected chores)

Please note allowances, allowance amount, and type of rewards is up to parental discretion.

Every family has their own budget, family dynamic, and standards.

The following Chores for Kids and Allowance List is just a guideline and can be customizable and flexible to fit all families and their needs.

Age Appropriate Chores for Kids List and Allowance

Chores for kids List by Age plus allowance amount by age

Remember, the following chores for kids’ ideas and the allowance amount are just guidelines.

Create an age appropriate chores list for every child by picking the chores that work best for your family dynamic.

Then, create a chore chart and discuss it with your kids. Don’t forget to set expectations and to discuss rewards and allowance if applicable.

But, wait… before you go wasting time writing these down (cause there is a lot to write) simply download a FREE printable copy of Chores and Allowance List for Kids of All Ages and you are

Toddler Chores

Put away toys
Take plates and utensils to sink after every meal
Dirty clothes to hamper
Pile books
Dust

Pre-K to 7-Years-Old

Put away toys
Clean room
Make bed
Organize shoes
Put clean folded clothes away
Dirty clothes to hamper
Take food ware to sink after every meal
Sweep
Pull weeds $2

8 to 11-Years-Old

Clean room
Make bed
Take old bed sheets to laundry/ Put on new bed sheets
Wash dishes
Take plates and utensils to sink after every meal
Set the dinner table
Make own snacks
Put clean folded clothes away
Dirty clothes to hamper
Water plants
Dust
Clean windows
Sweep
Dust
Feed pets (food and water)
Clean mirrors $1
Wipe tables $1
Wipe counters $1
Clean windows $1
Vacuum $3
Pull weeds $3
Rake leaves $3

12 to 18-Years-Old

Clean Room
Make bed
Take old bad sheets to laundry/ Put on new bed sheets
Wash dishes
Put away clean dishes
Loading/unloading dishwasher
Throw away trash (kitchen and bathroom)
Clean mirrors
Wipe tables
Wipe counters
Dust
Vacuum
Sweep
Wash clothes
Fold clothes
Put clean folded clothes away
Dirty clothes to hamper
Rake weeds
Water plants
Check mail
Feed pets (food and water)
Walk the dog/s
Pooper-scooper duty
Set the dinner table
Clear and clean table after dinner
Mop $3
Clean showers and bathtubs $3
Pull weeds $5
Clean Toilets $5
Make lunches and/or snacks for siblings $5
Tutor younger siblings/ homework helper $7/hr
Babysit younger siblings $7/hr
Mow the lawn $10
Wash car $10

Chores for Kids by Age (Age-Appropriate Kids Chores and Allowance List)

Why assign chores to children?

Age Appropriate Chore Assignments