“Do I HAVE to? What will I get if I do?”
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard something like this before when you ask your kids to do chores. Although it’s probably easier and faster to simply do the household chores yourself, if you don’t involve your kids, you miss out on teaching them valuable skills.
Just like we don’t expect kids to know math without studying and practicing the material, we can’t expect young adults to know how to maintain a home if they never learned those skills as kids.
A 2025 survey of Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 30) found that nearly 50% of respondents felt unprepared to manage household chores, while 70% wished they had learned more about home management before moving out.
Doing chores is an opportunity for kids to develop important life skills while also contributing to the home and family. We put together a guide to help you get your kids involved in household chores:
Why should kids have chores?
Contributing to household chores helps kids develop responsibility by showing them that everyone has a role to play in maintaining a home. It also fosters empathy, since it allows them to see firsthand what it takes to make sure the home runs smoothly. Kids begin to understand how their contributions make life easier for the rest of the family.
By caring for their belongings and helping look after the spaces they live in, kids develop a sense of ownership and pride in their environment. When the adults in their life trust them with responsibilities, they build confidence.
Chores also help kids gain practical life skills, such as doing laundry and preparing meals. Doing chores helps kids grow into responsible, independent adults who understand the value of contributing to their home and community.
How can you get your kids involved in chores?
Give age-appropriate responsibilities
Kids can contribute to the household no matter how old they are. Toddlers can do simple tasks like putting their toys away or sorting laundry, while older kids or teens can take on more complicated chores, like vacuuming, loading the dishwasher, or helping prepare meals.
Giving kids responsibilities that match their age and abilities will help them build confidence and independence, whereas tasks that are too difficult can lead to frustration.
If kids have never done a particular chore before, take the time to demonstrate each step, explain your expectations, and let them practice. They may need reminders or make mistakes along the way, and that’s okay. Be patient as they learn, and resist the urge to take over if a chore isn’t done perfectly. With guidance and encouragement, kids will become more capable and independent over time.
Make chores fair and predictable
Kids respond better to chores when they know what’s expected of them. Instead of assigning chores at random or only when you need help, establish a routine so they become part of everyday family life. A chore chart or weekly schedule can help ensure kids know their responsibilities ahead of time.
Fairness matters to kids, too, so every family member should contribute in some way, even if the specific responsibilities vary based on age. When kids see that parents and siblings are all doing their part, chores feel like a shared responsibility, not a punishment.
Teach the value of chores
Instead of presenting chores as a simple to-do list of tasks to accomplish, help kids understand why chores matter. If you assign chores as a punishment, it may cause kids to develop a negative attitude toward chores that can continue into adulthood. It may also send the message that chores are not valuable or necessary.
When kids recognize that their efforts make a difference, they’re more likely to take pride in their responsibilities. Show kids that every task, whether it’s feeding the family pet, setting the table for dinner, or taking out the trash, helps the household run more smoothly.
Give positive reinforcement
Should parents give kids an allowance for completing their chores? Every family has different values, routines, and expectations, so what works for one household may not work for another. However, positive reinforcement doesn’t have to mean rewards or money. Simply thanking kids for helping or telling them they did a great job can go a long way toward building motivation.
Even when chores are expected from everyone, it’s still meaningful to recognize a job well done. Adults appreciate being thanked or complimented for their everyday efforts, and kids are no different. When kids feel appreciated for their contributions, they’re more likely to continue helping with a positive attitude.
Chores may contribute to a clean and tidy household, but they can be so much more than that. The skills and habits kids develop through everyday responsibilities will stay with them long after they leave home. Chores help kids become capable adults who know how to care for themselves, their belongings, and the people around them.
