Chores for 5 and 6 year olds
Are you considering what is appropriate in terms of chores for 5 and 6 year olds? Are you wondering if a 5 or 6 year old should even be doing chores? While I can’t tell you what is right for you and your family, I can give you ideas based on what we do in my family!
Yes my 5 year old has chores! No, they aren’t tedious or super intensive. No, I don’t expect her to do every single chore on this list every single day, but she is capable of doing any of them!
Reasons why I think chores are important
I personally believe that children should learn to contribute to the family starting pretty young. This will hopefully help my children learn to contribute positively to society when they’re older. I hope to teach them that a little effort goes a long way. I’m sure most of us have witnessed those who refuse to pick up a piece of garbage that’s fallen out of their car, or those who won’t return their shopping cart to the cart corral, or maybe someone who has seen someone else in need of a hand but chose not to help. I’m hoping to instill values in my children that teach them to do better than that.
I also think it’s beneficial for children to learn to do mundane everyday tasks while they’re young so that when they get older it isn’t a shock to their system when mom and dad aren’t around to do everything for them.
Beyond my main reasons listed above for incorporating chores in my children’s every-day lives. I think chores help children grow in independence, accountability, good work-ethic, responsibility, sense of pride, self awareness, integrity and more.
So let’s get to chores that I personally think are appropriate for my 5 (almost 6) year old.
Chores for 5 and 6 year olds
#1 – Unloading the dishwasher
Time it takes: less than 5 minutes
My 5 year old LOVES unloading the dishwasher. I’m not sure exactly why she loves doing this chore, but I love that she loves it.
Of course I always check for and remove any sharp objects before she begins.
I equip her with a clean dish towel and she dries off any dishes that are still wet.
She can’t reach the top cupboards so I just have her put any dishes she can’t reach on the counter under the cupboard where they belong.
She really enjoys drying, organizing and putting away the dishes.
Sometimes my 3 year old will help out and put away the silverware. Check here for chores for 3 and 4 year olds!
#2 – Tidying their bedroom
Time it takes: about 5 minutes
On occasion I will help her clean her bedroom, but most of the time she is responsible for cleaning it herself.
She is to pick up and put away her toys, shoes, books, and dirty laundry. She is also responsible for making her bed each day.
This is usually all that is needed to tidy the whole room!
Once a child learns to do this everyday, it becomes habit and really doesn’t take long to do at all!
#3 – Wipe down surfaces
Time it takes: only maybe 2 minutes!
This is another one of my kids’ favorite chores! They love wiping down any surface, so I will usually have my 5 year old wipe down the table after each meal.
I like disposable disinfectant wipes for the ease and convenience they provide. Although, I’ve noticed my kids really love to use a spray cleaner and washrag.
Whatever gets the job done!
#4 – Sweep
Time it takes: 2 minutes
Our entire house has hard, sweepable floors. Usually, I will only have my 5 year old sweep either the kitchen or dining room.
I have never actually asked her to mop the floors. But, she loves using the swiffer so much that she usually volunteers to do it.
Who am I to say no?!
#5 – Cleaning the bathroom
Time it takes: 5-10 minutes
Yes, my 5 year old helps clean the kids’ bathroom!
She is mainly responsible for wiping down counters, cleaning the sink, and picking up the floors.
She also replenishes the toilet paper basket and switches out hand towels.
I have even taught her the process of wiping down the toilet!
Don’t forget to teach your child to wash their hands after this chore!
#6 Using the Washer and/or Dryer
Time it takes: 2 minutes
This is a supervised chore!
My 5 year old is to gather her dirty clothes from her room, and bring it to the laundry room. (We live in a single story house but your child may need help if they’ll be going up or down stairs).
Then she puts the laundry in the washer, checking for toys or other things that don’t belong.
Then she inserts the soap and presses the start button. *I will adjust to the proper setting.
Sometimes she will switch the clothes to the dryer, but usually I’ll do this step for her.
#7 – Fold and/or Put away laundry
Time it takes: about 10 minutes
I start having my kids practice folding laundry starting pretty young, so by the time they are 5 they are actually pretty good at it! While they do help fold their laundry sometimes I often fold their clothes for them. When I fold their laundry for them they are responsible for putting it neatly away in their dresser.
Chores for 5 and 6 year olds
These are some of the chores that my 5 (almost 6) year old daughter is fully capable of doing! She has grown in her independence and self-confidence from accomplishing her chores every day! She also often finds joy, rather than dread, in doing mundane tasks such as these.
What are some of your 5 or 6 year olds chores? Let me know in the comments below!
Other related articles –> chores for 3 and 4 year olds
