Kids don’t like chores. To be honest it can be hard for parents too. Watching them take a hr to do something that you could have done in 20 minutes. But having them do chores provides extra help around the house, helps with development, and prepares them for the future. Getting children to do chores does not have to be a struggle. One way to make them want to do chores is with DIY chore magnets, a chore chart, and reward system.
Why are chores important
Chores are important for many reasons.
- Feel Needed: For my one son who does want to help out chores help him feel needed. He looks up to his dad who works everyday and chores help him feel he is helping out and working.
- Teach responsibility: Chores teach responsibility Your children know that they have something that they have to do. To instill the responsibility it is important that they do the chores consistently.
- Teach independence: When your children grow up mommy will not be there doing their laundry and washing their dishes. Chores teach basic household life skills so they can be independent when they grow up.
- Cut back on entitlement: Have you ever met the bratty child who feels the world owes them. Chores helps to alleviate this attitude. They will realize that the harder they work the more they earn. They will appreciate what they are given more.
- Chores help out the family: When you do it as a group it gets don faster. This leaves more time for family activities
Chores By Age
Children should be assigned chores that are age appropriate. Be aware they will not know how to do these chores right away. You will need to show them how and give them time to learn how to complete the chores appropriately. Below you will find steps on how to create DIY chore magnets. This is very helpful as they have pictures and words so can be perfect for the younger crowd. Gauge your child’s skills and assign chores appropriately. These are just suggestions some may be too advanced for some children in that age range. Start small and gradually increase expectations.
Ages 2-3 ( At this age you are doing their chores with them)
- Put their toys in the toybox-
- Sort their clothes by color
Ages 4-6 ( Under supervision)
- Chores they are already doing
- Set the table or Clear the table with supervision
- Make their bed in the mornings
- Water plants
- Feed pets
- Match Socks
Ages 7-9
- Empty inside trash cans
- Put dishes away from dishwasher
- Fold clothes
Ages 10 and Older
- Vacuum or Sweep
- Mop
- Put clothes away
- Clean room
- Be responsible for hygiene
- Prepare small easy meal
- Wipe counters and tables
- Wash dishes
- Take garbage out
- Do laundry
How to Implement Chores
Getting your children to do chores can be difficult. One way to encourage them to do their chores is a chore chart(heres a FREE chart we use) and a reward system. For my younger ones they earn beans every time they do their chores and they can trade them in. They are able to trade their beans to pick from the treasure box, not eat a item they don’t like, or other pre- chosen things they would like to earn. As they get older they earn privileges by doing their chores. This can be a extra hour on tv or their laptop. My children do get weekly allowances. I will take money away for not doing chores but they do not earn money for chores unless they do extra. Chores are to help the family so are a family obligation.
How we assign chores at home is with chore magnets. They are super cool because they go right on the fridge. Making these magnets is super easy.
Materials Needed
To make these DIY chore magnets you will need a few supplies. The entire project is less than $50 and if you are a crafter like me you may have a few of the supplies already. Here is a list of supplies. I also included links to purchase on Amazon.
- Printable below. I like to print out multiple especially since I have 4 kiddos.
- Mod Podge
( I like this one because it comes with 2 and brushes)
- Flat Clear Gems
- Hot Glue Gun
- Flexible Magnetic Squares
- Flexible Magnetic Tape
.
( I like this one because it comes with 2 and brushes)
.
How To Make DIY Chore Magnets
Here is how to make the DIY chore magnets. I added pictures in so that you can have a visual as you make them.
my kids def need this- esp putting toys away!
We are working on putting toys away and helping put laundry away! He loves it!
My boys are ages 3 and 5 and they both have chore charts. Theirs are in their room and laminated so I can mark with dry erase then wipe clean at the end of the week. They have their “above the line” chores that have to be done as part of this household (making their beds, putting away laundry, personal hygiene, etc. Then they have the “below the line” chores that they can get paid for doing such as moving the laundry from washer to dryer (we have front-loaders), feeding the cat, helping with the trash, etc. If they don’t do their above the lines, they get an x and three x’s in a week means no pay. It has worked so well for my boys! They want that money to go buy more Legos!!
I think chores are important for sure. And how you approach them definitely helps with kids wanting to participate. Never thought about age groups though!
These are great ideas for chores by age! I have a 5 year old and 3 year old. Sometimes they like to help out, other times they don’t. But I think having a chart for them, they would enjoy it more!
My daughter is newly two and gets early intervention. They really stress involving young children in daily tasks. It is so important!
Honestly speaking, I didn’t have chores growing up but learned by observing and helping out where/when needed. I raised my twins the same way and they are independent adults now making their own way. That said, I still think it’s an excellent option for parents who want to introduce responsibility that way.
Author
That is awesome. My mom was raised in a similar manner. She didnt introduce chores to me until i was about 15. I introduce them sooner mainly because my kiddos destroy their toy room and clothes so by making that their responsibility they are alot more careful. My one son loves to cook and would always ask so his is to make 1 meal per week. I love seeing how different families approach learning. Different but both successful.
I have always introduced chores to my children. Laying their bed, unloading dish waasher etc after all I’m raising adults. I love the way you grouped the chores by age.
This is such a great idea! I think kids doing chores is super important for their future! My three year old does way more than what’s in her age group. She loves to do the dishes (Her plastic dishes of course), and vacuum which is is actually great at. She actually her own vacuum and it’s a real one. It’s a small hand held one. I got her a toy one once and she did not like it because she knew it did not work. lol I think I will print this out for my five year old. She’ needs the most help as she doesn’t really get that you can’t just half way do something.
Of all the chore charts I’ve seen (and made with my own kids, the most recent this afternoon), I’ve NEVER seen one like this! Love your step by step for the magnets! Such a great idea!
This is so great! I have a 3-year-old and we’ve recently started tidying up together. I think these magnets would be so helpful!
I think that chores are such a great idea to keep kids busy and to help out. Responsibility taught early in life is so important.
Thank you!
It’s so true that we need to implement responsibility into our children early on.
I have 3 sons-2, 3 and 4 years old. Since the 1 year old I teach children to help around the house and self-care. I use the Manini app it has a list of chores and self-care for children under 5. And in the app, the list contains almost 40 tasks. It is very convenient to mark what the child has already mastered. I like it so much they are small and come ask for more tasks.