All family members need to contribute to the household tasks to develop a sense of belonging and a feeling of accomplishment. The tables below detail daily and weekly tasks with the age most people are ready to perform them. Follow the suggestions below to make it happen.
Years Old |
Amount of daily contribution |
2 to 3 |
Three one minute tasks 3 x day |
4 to 5 |
15 min/day |
6 to 7 |
20 min/day |
8 up |
30 min/day |
Make a home for your family with your family!
Age Can Do Task |
Task |
Age Can Do Task |
Task |
Age Can Do Task |
Task |
6 to 9 |
Wipe out bathroom sink | - |
Pets |
- |
Children's Personal Tasks |
6 to 9 |
Make bed | 3 to 5 |
Help feed pets | 2 to 3 |
Pick up toys |
5 to 6 |
Pick up bedroom | 6 to 9 |
Feed and care for pets | 5 to 6 |
Put game and puzzle pieces away |
6 to 9 |
Responsible for own room | 8 to 9 |
Walk pet | 6 to 9 |
Sort and straighten toys |
3 to 5 |
Straighten bed (a comforter is easier) | -- |
-- |
3 to 5 |
Put books in a pile |
- |
Sort papers | - |
Yard |
2 to 4 |
Help clean spills |
9 to 12 |
Tidy up | 3 to 5 |
Help pick up litter in the yard | 6 to 7 |
Clean spills |
- |
Make meals |
- |
-- |
3 to 5 |
Hang clothes on hooks |
5 to 6 |
Help in the kitchen | - |
As needed |
2 to 4 |
Pick out clothes |
6 to 7 |
Help make meals | 3 to 5 |
Empty light wastebaskets | 3 to 5 |
Get dressed |
4 to 5 |
Fix bowl of cereal, help pack lunch | 6 to 9 |
Empty wastebaskets | 2 to 3 |
Put clothes in hamper |
8 to 9 |
Prepare breakfast and pack lunch | 9 to 12 |
Take out the trash | 3 to 5 |
Brush teeth |
5 to 6 |
Set the table with napkins and silverware | 6 to 9 |
Water lawn and garden | 6 to 7 |
Keep clean, wash up |
6 to 9 |
Set and clean the table (with non breakable dishes) | 9 to 12 |
Shovel walks and drive | 8 to 9 |
Prepare and take bath |
3 to 5 |
Dry unbreakable dishes | - |
-- |
5 to 6 |
Hang up the towel after a bath |
9 to 12 |
Wash, dry and put away dishes | 5 to 6 |
Pick up bath toys | ||
5 to 6 |
Help load the dishwasher | 3 to 5 |
Put dirty clothes in hamper | ||
8 to 9 |
Load and empty dishwasher | - |
As needed |
||
3 to 5 |
Help wipe up spills | 3 to 5 |
Hang up hat, scarf, mittens | ||
9 to 12 |
Clean countertops and sink | 3 to 5 |
Hang up jacket | ||
8 to 9 |
Wipe out sink | 3 to 5 |
Put away shoes and boots |
Age Can Do Task
|
Task |
Age Can Do Task
|
Task |
Age Can Do Task
|
Task |
9 to 12 |
Clean bathroom mirrors | 15 to 18 |
Shop for food | - |
Pets |
5 to 6 |
Clean bathroom sinks | 9 to 12 |
Wipe down and disinfect counters | 9 to 12 |
Clean pet areas |
9 to 12 |
Clean brushes/combs | 9 to 12 |
Scrub and disinfect kitchen sink | - |
-- |
12 to 15 |
Clean the bathtub/shower stall | 9 to 12 |
Wipe down stove and oven | - |
Car |
9 to 12 |
Clean toilets | 3 to 5 |
Fold hand towels and wash cloths | 6 to 9 |
Clean out the car |
6 to 9 |
Vacuum their own room | 3 to 5 |
Help put away clothes in drawers | 6 to 9 |
Help wash the car |
12 to 15 |
Change light bulbs | 5 to 6 |
Sort family members' clean laundry | - |
-- |
12 to 15 |
Clean mirrors, glass doors and tops | 5 to 6 |
Put away their own laundry | - |
Yard |
8 to 9 |
Declutter | 5 to 6 |
Strip linens from beds | 6 to 9 |
Pick up litter in the yard |
5 to 6 |
Dust furniture | 6 to 9 |
Help fold laundry | 12 to 15 |
Mow lawn |
Adult |
Family shopping | 6 to 9 |
Sort clothes for washing | 6 to 9 |
Pull weeds |
Adult |
Filing & bills paid | 9 to 12 |
Fold laundry and put it away | 6 to 9 |
Rake leaves |
8 to 9 |
Water flowers | 12 to 15 |
Change linens | 9 to 12 |
Trim lawn |
9 to 12 |
Mop small-area floors | 12 to 15 |
Do own laundry | 9 to 12 |
Gardening |
9 to 12 |
Shake out rugs | 6 to 9 |
Wipe washer/dryer | - |
-- |
6 to 7 |
Sweep floor | - |
-- |
||
9 to 12 |
Sweep stairs and walks | - |
|||
9 to 12 |
Vacuum | - |
|||
5 to 6 |
Vacuum small areas with a lightweight, handheld vacuum | - |
|||
9 to 12 |
Put trash & recycling out | - |
|||
9 to 12 |
Collect all trash & put in garage can | - |
|||
8 to 9 |
Put away groceries | - |
|||
8 to 9 |
Wipe cabinets & appliances | - |