Chores for toddlers (that they will actually enjoy doing!)

Looking for some advice on age-appropriate chores for toddlers that they will actually love to do?

Helping out is not only something that little kids enjoy doing but it’s also something that’s going to foster good manners and a sense of responsibility as your child grows up.

I remember feeling unsure myself as to whether my toddlers would be able to cope with doing bits and pieces around the house. However both have always risen to the challenge when they’ve been given simple tasks to take on.

As long as the chores you give your toddler or preschooler to do are something they can do safely and easily then they will happily take on the tasks.

Reasons for giving your toddler chores

There are lots of benefits to you and your child of giving them age-appropriate jobs to do around the house.

These include:

Fostering a sense of independence
Physical activity
Encouraging a sense of responsibility
Giving them something to do – I will often give my kids a practical task to do if they tell me they’re bored. Watering the garden is one of their favourite summer pastimes!
Starting as you mean to go on – a child who learns to take some responsibility now will be more likely to continue doing chores as they grow older
Giving you a helping hand – parenting is hard work so any little bits of help you get mean a lot!

Toddler chores by age

I’ve put together a list of toddler chores by age which my own kids managed to do.

The 18 month old chores are simple and there aren’t too many. These are ones that can be done safely and are reasonable things to ask your 18 month old to do.

If they are attending childcare of any kind it’s likely they may be asked to help out with the tidying up of toys so it’s good to get them into the habit of this one!

Once they get to age three there are lots of things your child is tall enough and capable of managing around the house.

All of these chores avoid using any heavy cleaning equipment or chemicals. Kids can help with dusting but stick to feather dusters that don’t need any spray.

What chores can an 18-month-old do?

Putting away toys

Make your toy storage easy and clear for your toddler to use so that they can pull out boxes or drawers or just dump toys into a large toy hamper.

This is one of the easiest things you can get kids to do once play time is over. Of course it will take your child a lot longer to pick up their toys than it may take you, so remember to be patient and give them plenty of time to do the task.

Sorting the clean laundry

Anyone else got a permanent laundry mountain that needs putting away in their home?

Your toddler can help you go through it and sort clothes into piles for each family member. Folding it may be a challenge at this age but this is a great chore they can do with you.

They can also carry piles of clear clothes to the right room so you can fold and put them away.

Tidying away shoes

Piles of shoes littering the hallway are one of my big bug bears in my house!

Have a specific corner of the hallway or a shoe rack where shoes go and tell your child their shoes need to be put in the right place every time they arrive home and take them off.

What chores should a 2-year-old do?

Watering plants

This chore gets your little one outdoors if you have a garden and is such a wonderful, engaging activity for them to do anyway.

The only trouble you may have is reminding them not to overwater, particularly with indoor plants!

You can make this chore easier by getting a small watering can that’s easy for them to hold and tip.

Making their bed

A quick a simple activity for your two year old to do! They should put the duvet neatly back on the bed and tidy up any toys they keep on the bed too.

Sweeping

We have a broom with an adjustable handle so I can shorten it for the kids to help out with the sweeping easily.

This is one of their favourite chores and really turns into a game for them!

Kids of this age won’t be as good at using the dustpan and brush as the broom but give them a go at doing it, reminding them to keep the dustpan level until they reach the bin so they don’t drop anything back on the floor.

Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket

Get them into the habit early of putting dirty clothes into a hamper or in a pile in one spot.

Kids tend to just shed clothes and drop them wherever they stripped off, so getting them in a habit at this young age of popping their dirty clothes in one place will save you a lot of time.

Place books back on the bookcase

This could be something you start at 18 months but really depends on your bookcase and how easy it is to reorganise the books on there. Book cases with books that face outwards rather than being lined up are easier for little hands to use.

Get nappies and wipes for younger siblings

Kids love to get involved with grown up activities so ask them to fetch stuff that you need to use, for example during nappy changes for younger siblings.

Clear the dinner table

Once your little one is done eating they can carry their plate through to the kitchen and place it on the side ready to be washed up.

What chores can a 3-year-old do?

Dusting

My kids love to help with dusting (and sweeping the floors!).

I don’t give them any actual furniture polish as don’t want them using any chemicals. We have a feather duster which is safe and easy for them to hold.

With dusting you want to discourage your kids from dusting any surfaces with vases or other breakable items on. Stick to windowsills, clear surfaces, bookcases and corners they can reach.

Help putting away groceries

They may not be able to reach the high shelves but they can help to sort items into piles and move things from room to room to help you out.

Setting the table

Setting the table is one of my youngest daughter’s favourite chores to do.

Your child will need to be old enough to reach the kitchen drawers with the cutlery. If they can’t then you could get the cutlery out for them and then send them off to the dining table to set it out.

Feeding the family pet

It won’t be difficult to convince your child to get involved with this one! Kids typically love to get involved with looking after the family pet.

Give them a clear lesson on how much food the animal needs.

Food prep

Your three year old can help with simple food prep such as moving food you have sliced on a chopping block into bowls for serving.

Put rubbish in the bin

Getting them in this habit early will be something that you will not regret!

Tidy bike or scooter away

If your child has outdoor toys such as a bike or scooter then remind them to put them away once they’re done playing with it.

Help wash the car

Grab some extra sponges and get your child to help wash the car. Anything that involves water is just fun to kids!

Mop up spills

If they do have an accident then encourage them to tidy it up themselves with kitchen paper towels or tea towels.

Help put away put away clean clothes and towels

From this age your child should be able to fold clothes so get them involved in putting away their clothes into drawers.

How to teach your toddler to do chores

So those are the toddler appropriate chores but how do you get your child to actually do them?

A lot of it is in how you frame the chores. Make it fun and you will find it much easier to get them on board!

Talk through what you expect

When introducing chores start up and sitting your child down and explaining what they’re going to be asked to do.

Keep it positive and say this is a big kid job they’re being asked to do.

Show them exactly what they need to do, and help them out with doing the chores initially so they get the idea of the right way to do it.

Some things will be easier for them to grasp than others so stick with it and keep teaching them until they get the hang of it.

Make it routine

Chores should be part of their daily routine.

You may find it easier to remind them of this by using a chore chart or chore cards.

Whatever will help to get your child on board with chores and make it part of what they do every day is great.

Make it fun

Turn cleaning and tidying into a game so that chores a fun for your child.

Why not turn some music on and dance while getting the housework done?

Make it non negotiable

Doing chores should not be a choice. You can still guide them gently to get the chores done, but ultimately getting them done should be non negotiable.

I don’t have a reward system for doing chores, because they should be part of the daily routine anyway.

However if they don’t do chores they may lose privileges, such as time on their Amazon Fire tablet or TV time.

Free printable toddler chore chart

To help you encourage your toddler to get involved with doing chores every day I’ve got two free toddler chore charts for your to download and print.

The first features simple chores for your toddler to do and the other is a similar version but left blank so you can fill in whatever chores you would like to see your little one do.

If you want to reuse the chart again and again then I suggest laminating it so you can then wipe away the pen and start fresh every week!