I’ve always encouraged my kids to help do chores around the house. As long as the chores are age-appropriate, I feel that it will help my kids, both now and in the future, and the rest of the family certainly benefits too. Learn more about kids and chores and why and how to encourage kids to help at home. I’ve also included some ideas for chores that your kids could do at different ages to help you all get started!
WHY I ENCOURAGE MY KIDS TO DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES
Firstly, let’s look at the 3 main reasons why I encourage my kids to help with housework and chores.
I’m using the word ‘encourage’ because I don’t want to make it into a big deal for them and tell them off when they haven’t helped. I think it builds up resentment this way. I’d prefer them to be proud of their home, value their stuff and WANT to look after it, rather than it being something they get told off for not doing.
I guess it’s a kind of positive parenting approach but I find it works far better for my kids this way and they’re much more likely to want to help, rather than being forced to.
1. It teaches them to look after their belongings
I try to help them understand that if they want to keep on playing with their toys then they need to look after them. For example:
- They need to pick the toys up off the floor when they’ve finished playing with them, so they don’t get trodden on or broken.
- They’re less likely to get lost underneath the sofa or bed if they’re picked up straightaway.
2. The routine becomes habit which eventually becomes second nature
I know this isn’t something that will magically happen overnight! But getting your kids into the routine of basic chores and keeping their stuff and rooms decluttered, clean and tidy, will mean that it’s not such a big deal when they become grown-ups. It’ll already be something they’re used to doing, pretty much without thinking about it. They won’t get a shock to the system when they leave home and have to manage their own homes!
3. Everyone who lives in the house should contribute to running it
I’m a firm believer in this although I know it’s not something that every family chooses for themselves. It partly came about because I found it really helped me save time and energy when I was working full time and managing my home and kids. Just that little bit of extra help really made a big difference to me and how smoothly our home ran.

HOW I ENCOURAGE MY KIDS TO DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES
Here are a few ideas of what works in our home. It might be trial and error as to what works best for your children and you might have to change tactics as they get older, but here’s some approaches that we use.
1. Age-Appropriate Chores
I only ever ask them to do what I consider to be age-appropriate chores. I think this is important because you want them to take pride in what they’ve done and not get put off because it’s too difficult. Little kids especially need really simple, quick tasks that they can do on their own. This way they can feel in control and independent even if you’re keeping an eye on them as well. There’s a list of chores further down this article which you might find useful for your child at different ages and stages.
2. Praise And Encouragement
I don’t tell them off for not doing their chores, but I praise and reward them when they DO do them. This goes back to the encouragement approach I use, rather than forcing them to do it. If you turn it into a big deal then it builds up this kind of wall. Instead, try loads of encouragement and reward them when they’ve done well and I think you’re much more likely to get good results and happy, involved kids!
3. Little And Often
It’s never a big deal because they do them regularly, little and often. Try not to forget about the chores all week and then give your kids a long list of things to do at the weekend. Come up with a rota if you need to so the chores can be spread out and fitted in between other things. Keep it on the fridge or noticeboard so everyone can see it. A quick 5 minutes here and there is much more likely to get done with a smile on their face (same works for us grown-ups too!).
4. Contribution And Team-Work
They see everyone else doing chores and little kids like to contribute and feel valued too. Little children love to be treated as equals and to feel included as part of the team. Tell them they’ve done a great job (even if their folding or putting away isn’t quite as neat as yours!).
5. Builds Self-Esteem
Builds their self-esteem as they can see when they’ve done a good job. They can feel proud when they’ve done well, and other people can see how neat/tidy/clean their bit of the home is.
6. Use A Reward Chart
Maybe implement some kind of reward chart or system if you need a bit of extra encouragement. We all need some motivation and incentive from time to time so find a reward system that works for your kids.
7. Relevance
Depending on their age I only ask them to do chores that are relevant to how they use the home. For example, I might ask them to tidy their room, but not my room, or put their own clean clothes away in their wardrobe, rather than mine. There’s a more direct link then between the effort they’re putting in and the obvious outcome they can benefit from.
8. Repetition And Perseverance
Don’t expect it all to happen magically overnight. Like any routine or habit, it will take a while (and lots of encouragement and reminding) before they do it without asking!
9. Keep It Simple
Don’t make it over-complicated. Keep it simple and focus on implementing one chore at a time and gradually build it up as they master each one.
10. Don’t Overload Them
My thoughts are that whilst kids should do their fair bit, they’re still only kids after all and they’ve got a whole lifetime of chores ahead of them so choose which chores to give them in a simple, strategic way!

EXAMPLES OF AGE-APPROPRIATE CHORES
There are loads of examples of age-appropriate chores on the internet but here are some examples of what my kids do and at what ages. Bear in mind that every child is different, so these are very general and you’ll have to find what works for you. Supervision may or may not be required!
Age 2 – 4 years
- Put toys away
- Water plants
- Get dressed
- Get undressed
- Dust
- Try to brush teeth (parental supervision required!)
- Put dirty clothes in the laundry
- Put their rubbish in the bin
Age 5 – 7 years
- All the above and…
- Make bed
- Help load and unload the dishwasher
- Feed pets
- Tidy bedroom
- Help put away grocery delivery
- Put dirty clothes in laundry basket
- Take dirty plates etc to the kitchen after use
- Help set table
- Helping in the garden
Ages 8 – 10 years
- All the above and…
- Vacuum the floor
- Bath/shower by themselves
- Brush teeth (generally unsupervised)
- Help with the cooking
- Make simple meals like breakfast
- Set table
- Take the rubbish out
- Sort and take out the recycling
- Keep bedroom tidy
Teenagers
- All the above and…
- Do laundry
- Cook meals of varying complexity
- Clean the house
- Walk the dog
- Help in the garden

MORE RESOURCES ON CLEANING AND HOME MANAGEMENT
Here are some articles which you might enjoy on simple cleaning tips and intentional homemaking.
- Home Management Tips for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
- 10 Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun
- 18 Ways to Enjoy Making Dinner More
- 8 Tips for a Daily Decluttering Routine
- 20 Ways to Make School Run Mornings Easier
- 5 Ways to Make Housework Quicker and Easier
- Minimalism and Motherhood: 7 Helpful Tips

Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, helping busy people declutter, simplify and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, gardening or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Read more about Antonia.