36 Simple Chores for 2 and 3 year olds to do around the house.
All kids are different. My 1 year old is content to play for hours, my almost 3 year old has never been one to play for long. He likes to be right with me and some days I’m hard pressed to keep him entertained.
As a result, I’ve discovered simple chores that he can do with me as a way to keep him busy . Having a child take part in the daily home activities is an important part of helping him/her to feel like a valued member of the family.
In addition to that, kids can actually be a huge help. Training them young takes time and effort, but it pays off. The payoff for me started clear back right before Malachi was born. Kolton loved helping with laundry and just him pulling it of the machines for me was awesome!
Yes, we still have occasional broken dishes, wet clothes pulled out of the dryer, and rugs tossed outside when I’m not wanting to sweep. But the thought is there. 🙂
36 Simple Chores for 2 and 3 Year Olds
Meal prep and mealtimes.
- Help run hand mixer.
- Pour ingredients.
- Pull appropriate pots, or baking pans from lower cupboards.
- Get requested food from pantry and bring to counter.
- Put ingredients away.
- Put empty containers in the trash or recycling bins.
- Put soap in dishwasher and push appropriate buttons to run it (only allow if using nontoxic soap).
- Empty silverware from dishwasher baskets into drawer. (good sorting activity for older toddlers)
- Get own water and put on the table.
- Put plates on the table.
- Remove own plate and take to counter.
- Wipe down table (if given a cloth).
Cleaning Around the House
- Pick up toys.
- Put books away.
- Place clothes into hamper.
- Hang coats and jackets on hooks.
- Put shoes away.
- Help dust baseboards and other low surfaces (He is using the child’s dusting mitt from Norwex).
- Wipe down fronts of cupboards and dishwasher etc. (do not expect perfection but rather that the child works alongside you).
- Take rugs outside to be shook.
- Hold dustpan while you sweep the dirt in.
- Empty trash cans and replace liners.
- Pick up bones (if you own a dog) and twigs from yard.
- Broom off patio.
Laundry
- Bring Laundry basket from room.
- Strip bed sheets (if in a toddler bed).
- Put clothes into washing machine (front load).
- Remove clothes from washing machine.
- Put clothes into dryer.
- Pull clothes from dryer into laundry basket.
- Pull laundry basket into living room or bedrooms.
- Fold wash cloths.
- Fold hand towels.
- Stack and put underwear away.
- Pair or match socks.
- Put folded clothes into drawers.
What do you think? Is my list of 36 simple chores for 2 and 3 year olds something your toddler can do? What would you add to the list?
Rachel Valentine says
April 7, 2017 at 10:08 amMy son does most of these jobs. He is actually a lot of help, even though he is only three.
Also my son has the same shirt as your son in most of the pictures. It is one of my favorites!
Kendra says
April 7, 2017 at 2:28 pmHow funny about the shirt 🙂
And it’s amazing just how much these little ones can actually do!
Melinda says
April 7, 2017 at 9:40 pmMy 3 yo grand has been putting away her dishes on the counter for almost a yr now. She’s almost 4. She only visits, so I don’t do much cleaning while she;s here. But she does love to do the dishes!! I let her play with the plastic stuff to her heart’s content.
Good ideas about helping with the laundry! I need to let her help there.
Carol says
April 8, 2017 at 12:31 pmHi Kendra, Lots of things little ones can do with some supervision. They want to help and it is important that they learn to take on responsibility at a young age, when they are eager to do “grown up”things. They learn to truly be helpful and enjoy work.
Unfortunately, too many parents “do”everything for their kids and then the kids expect everything to be handed to them. Certainly does not make for a very responsible or dependable adult.
God bless you and your family. In Christ, Carol
Kendra says
April 11, 2017 at 2:04 pmYes and so much yes!
I grew up on a farm and it truly did take us all. It was a good feeling to be needed and know you were a vital part of the family business. The two older brothers both have their own businesses now and I blog and sell Norwex. Our upbringing taught us to work hard. 🙂
I hope to pass that on to our children. Even though the farm is gone, it still takes every member doing their part for a family to function the way God intended.
Maree Dee says
April 9, 2017 at 9:29 pmI love the pictures of your helpers….
Kendra says
April 11, 2017 at 2:06 pmAww, thanks!
Juliet says
April 21, 2017 at 1:02 pmThank you, great tips & ideas! My mom always tells me to instill good habits that build self-discipline before the age of seven – that was her rule: Vivian’s Rule of Seven😉
Kendra says
April 22, 2017 at 11:57 amTeaching self discipline is so very important. Many adults today lack that and what a state this world is in because of it. 🙁
Annie says
April 28, 2017 at 2:29 amThanks for these, Kendra! My little guy is 3 and loves helping out around the house, so I do a lot of what you mentioned to get him into the swing of chores/pitching in… Now if only I was as enthusiastic about it as he is!
Kendra says
April 28, 2017 at 10:30 amHaha! I wish I were as enthusiastic as him as well!
Suman says
May 1, 2017 at 4:45 pmHow funny about the shirt 🙂
And it’s amazing just how much these little ones can actually do!
chelsy says
June 28, 2017 at 3:30 amThe other thing we do is the point reward system – we have a black board in the living room and every time a kid finish a chore she gets points and use them kids to pay for their wishes. Of course there are negative points as well for all wrong things kids do.