Age-Appropriate Chores: What Children Can Do at Each Stage
By Maya Fairbrook · Oct 7, 2026 · 5 min read
In a nutshell
Even toddlers can help around the house. Chores build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Getting children to help at home often feels like more work than doing it yourself. In the short term, it is. In the long run, children who contribute learn practical skills and feel more capable.
The trick is matching the task to their age and accepting imperfect results.
Tip 1 Toddlers (2 to 3)
- 💡 Put toys back in a box
- 💡 Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket
- 💡 Help wipe up spills
- 💡 Carry their plate to the kitchen with help
Tip 2 Preschoolers (4 to 5)
- 💡 Set the table with unbreakable items
- 💡 Feed pets with supervision
- 💡 Make their bed, in their own way
- 💡 Sort laundry by colour or match socks
Tip 3 Primary school age (6 to 10)
- 💡 Load and unload the dishwasher
- 💡 Help prepare simple meals and snacks
- 💡 Vacuum or sweep
- 💡 Take out recycling
- 💡 Pack their own school bag
Tip 4 Older children (11 and up)
- 💡 Do their own laundry
- 💡 Cook a simple family meal
- 💡 Clean a bathroom
- 💡 Mow the lawn or help with garden jobs
- 💡 Look after younger siblings for short periods
Tip 5 Making it stick
Use a simple chart, keep instructions clear, and do tasks alongside younger children at first. Thank them for their help. Many families separate everyday chores, which everyone does as part of the household, from optional extra jobs that may earn pocket money.
This is general parenting information, not medical advice. Every child is different — talk to your paediatrician, family doctor, or a qualified specialist about your child’s health, development, or behaviour. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.