Totally Doable Household Chores for Toddlers (by age range)
As an OT, building skills for functional independence is basically my thing.
Giving kids (no matter their age) chores that are within their functional abilities will:
give them a sense of accomplishment + pride
empower them to become a contributing family team player
build functional skills that can be built upon in other areas (such as categorizing, reaching, balance skills, problem solving, etc)
teach them life skills for the future
help you out with your endless parenting to-do list
Having little ones rummage through and tear apart the house while you're trying keep it in order can drive anyone a little crazy, myself included. I have found it most helpful to get the kids involved when I am in the cleaning spirit.
When you keep their little hands and minds busy working alongside you, they (hopefully) won't un-do all that you're trying to accomplish.
It is SO important with toddlers to find just the right task. By that, I mean, the activity must have just the right balance of challenge and feasibility. You want them to be challenged but you also don't want them to become so frustrated that they give up.
I thought it might be helpful, to other parents out there, to make a list of age-appropriate house hold chores (listed by age range). So here it is, I hope you find it useful!
Remember: the idea isn't necessarily for them to be thorough but to learn and feel as though they're helping.
18 MONTHS - 2 YEARS
Meal time:
Help prepare veggies/fruit for snack: watch and helping to place pre-cut food items onto plates, closer to age 2 they can peel bananas and oranges (adult starts the peel, child finishes)
Help set table: bring utensils to the table while the older children can place them properly
Help set table: bring everyone’s drink and place it on table near their chair
Wipe the table down after dinner with help
Laundry:
Place sorted laundry into basket (to keep hands busy i.e. not pulling sorted items out)
Help take out items from dryer and place into basket with you
With help, can transfer clothes from washer to dryer
Place sorted clothes into washer with you + pour pre-measured laundry detergent in
Help push button to turn on washer/dryer
Misc:
Routinely clean up at bath time by putting bath toys away into bin
Carry a small sized bag of recyclables and place them in bin (use stool if needed)
Can pull a small sized garbage bag to the outside garbage (with an adult)
Take out the plastic cups and silverware from the dishwasher and hand them to you as you sort + put away
Starting around 18 months, they can start sorting the silverware into forks, knives and spoons drawers. If they can’t sort types, start with only forks and spoons (they will only have to divide their attention by 2 vs 3)
Clean the cabinets - give them a wipie or wet cloth and have them get busy
Clean up spills with a towel
Help feed pet by scooping + pouring dog/cat food into bowl
Water the plants with a squirt bottle or small watering can
Clean up and put away one singular toy set at a time with adult encouragement (I.e LEGO’s, blocks, one puzzle) learning to clean up is easiest when an adult models desired action (I.e putting blocks into container)
2-3 YEARS
Meal Time
Help prep snacks and veggies - peel and cut bananas and other soft fruits with butter knife, break broccoli stems off, peel oranges, sprinkle seeds, toppings or spices (salt, chia seeds, nuts, etc)
Help plate pre-cut food items
Sort knives, forks, spoons into appropriate drawers from dishwasher
Set table by bringing fork, knife and spoon and placing properly in desired location (adult will model desired place setting first)
Help set table- bring everyone’s drink and place it on table near their chair
Bring dirty dishes to dishwasher or sink and can begin to learn how to put plates into dishwasher and silverware, etc
Help older siblings/parents wipe the table down after dinner
Can use a small hand broom to clean up spilled food, will need some help
Laundry
Help transfer laundry from washer to dryer
Help sort clothes into baskets (lights, darks, whites)
Put laundry into washer and pour pre-measured detergent
Lay out clothes, find the stains and spray with spot treatment (may want to have them wear gloves in case of leakage)
Match socks: first find the matches, then lay the match atop each other
Help place each family members underwear in proper drawers
Help fold washcloths with adult modeling
Misc
“clean up” at bath time by putting bath toys away
Carry a small sized bag of recyclables and place them in bin (use stool if needed)
Take out items from dishwasher and hand them to you while you put away/organize
“Clean” the cabinets - give them a wipie and have them go to town
Clean up spills with towel
Water the plants with a squirt bottle or small watering can
Help feed pet by scooping + pouring dog/cat food into bowl
Clean up 2-3 toy sets at a time with adult encouragement (I.e “you clean up the blocks and LEGO’s, I’ll clean up the dolls”)
Help put books back onto shelf
Help spray and wash glass windows
Put away bikes and scooter when finished playing
4-5 YEARS
Dinner Time
Prep snacks and veggies - cut bananas, break broccoli stems, peel oranges, use a butter knife to spread peanut butter/jelly/butter etc on toast or crackers, add toppings/spices/salt and pepper.
Help to taste and add spices/salt + pepper to dishes (also helps to decrease sensitivity to certain spices and warm-up their palate for mealtime)
Help plating food items
Tear napkins and fold into squares, set them on table
Set table with silverware in correct position atop folded square napkins
Pour waters for everyone having dinner (pre measured water, from a pitcher or water dispenser)
Bring dirty dishes to dishwasher, can learn to place plates and silverware in proper locations
Wipe table down after dinner, use a squirt bottle to spray first
Begin to learn how to sweep items into a pile (still may need assistance)
Laundry
Help transfer laundry from washer to dryer and turn on dryer (the fun part!)
Help sort laundry into baskets I.e lights, darks and whites
Lay out clothes, find the stains and spray with spot treatment (may want to have them wear gloves in case of leakage)
Match and fold socks: first find the matches, then lay the match atop each other, then roll them together
Put each family members underwear in proper drawers
Fold washcloths in halves or folded squares (folded in half twice)
After they have mastered folding washcloths, then teach them how to fold the larger item, towels
Put away folded piles of laundry into correct drawers, learning how to hold the folded piles with two hands without dropping them
Help put hangers into shirts and hand them to you while you hang them in the closet
MISC
Routinely clean up at bath time by putting bath toys away
Take our recycling: find a handy-sized bag they can fill and carry out to the bin
Take out trash
Help find ripe fruits and veggies at the grocery store: give them a baggie to fill and teach how to tell if a fruit/veggie is ready to eat
Take out items from dishwasher and help put away/organize
Clean the cabinets - give them a wipie or wet wash cloth and have them go to town
Clean up spills with towel
Water the plants with a squirt bottle or small watering can
Help dig, till, weed and plant seeds for a garden
Clean up a small room with encouragement but break the tasks down into steps for them (i.e “first clean up the LEGO’s, then the books”)
Clean up book shelf independently (putting books in correct position with title facing out, cue them to "turn it so we can read the words.")
Help feed pet by scooping + pouring dog/cat food into bowl, filling up water bowl
Help spray and wash glass windows
Put away bikes and scooter when finished playing
Help put clean pillow cases onto pillow while you put clean sheets on the bed
Around age 4, they can manage pushing a small vacuum
