Chore charts are becoming a very popular way of encouraging children to organise their tasks. We’ve added a few here because quite a large number of parents have requested them – we hope you find them useful. A big thanks to the volunteers who created them for us.
Ideas for Household Chores:
There’s no doubt in our minds that most of you will already have an abundance of chores in mind for the kids to help out with, but just in case you’re looking for ideas, we’ve put together a quick list of the most popular. Obviously, different chores suit different age groups.
- Make the bed
- Wash up / Stack or empty the dishwasher
- Collect the laundry together
- Feed the cat / dog / rabbit / other pets
- Tidy bedroom
- Lay the table
- Water the plants
- Fold / iron laundry (dependent on age and ability)
- Sort out rubbish for recycling
- Vacuum carpets / sweep floors
- Clean the bathroom (best for older kids/teenagers and even then, only those you trust with bleach!)
- Tidy away toys
- Straighten cushions
- Hang up clothes
- Wipe coffee table(s)
- Put shoes together in pairs (good for very little children)
- Clean fridge
Why Bother?
Some of the advantages of encouraging children to take part in household chores are obvious. You get more help. You’re encouraging your family to work as a team. But there are other, less immediately apparent upsides too. Take, for example, the fact that most chores are active. They burn calories. They mean half an hour away from the laptop, TV, kindle, smart phone, or whatever new tech the future may bring. They are also fulfilling. They foster a sense of achievement when they’re completed, not to mention the opportunity for you to give that “job well done” praise which makes all children glow.
Then there’s the setting an example thing. You may not feel like the most organised of people on the inside, but if your children see you making lists of things for the family to do and getting them to stick to it, they’re seeing a leader at work. And they’ll copy you. Unconsciously. In all sorts of contexts and long after they’ve flown the nest.
To sum up, the humble chore chart can help your kids with self-discipline, taking pride in work, time management, health and hygiene awareness, self-confidence, increasing activity levels and much, much more. The question isn’t really “Why bother?” but “Why on earth not?”