Your toddler is growing up, so now is the perfect time to introduce them to a few chores around the house. Here are some ideas for chores to do with toddlers, plus tips to keep your sanity.
Chores for toddlers by age
At this age, little ones want to do whatever you are doing. The goal is to let your little one help without losing your sanity and at the same time, actually get something done. It gets a little easier as they get older, but for an 18-month-old, keep it simple.
Chores/tasks for a 1-year-old
At one, your child is officially a toddler! They might be walking already or will be soon. They’re beginning to pick up and hold things and learning to use them correctly with help. Now is a great time to start introducing chores in a fun way. Try giving them simple tasks and provide lots of guidance at this stage.
Some tasks to try:
-Picking up toys: Give your toddler a toy and direct them where to put it. They may need additional guidance with this activity at first, but it’s a great place to start.
-Helping with laundry: Ask them to give you items out of the laundry basket while you fold the clothes.
-Wiping up small spills: Give them a damp cloth and have them “help” clean up the spill.
-Throwing away trash: Give them small scraps of paper or other trash to throw away. Keep a small trash can that they can reach to throw away scraps.
Chores for a 2-year-old
Two-year-olds are more independent and are capable of following simple instructions. Start introducing new tasks and give your toddler instructions one step at a time to help them complete the chore. Try these tasks to get them more involved.
-Cooking with parents: Give your child simple tasks like fetching ingredients or placing dirty dishes in the sink.
-Dusting, sweeping, mopping, etc.: Give your child a duster or other cleaning supplies and have them help you with the chore. Make it a game by taking turns demonstrating, then having your child complete the task. TIP: Many dollar stores sell child-sized cleaning items.
-Laundry helper: Play the “sock matching game” and ask your child to help you find the matching socks while you fold the laundry. Have them put their clothes in the appropriate drawers.
-Feeding pets: Have your child scoop food into the family pet’s dish with supervision.
-Making the bed: Help your toddler pull up the blankets & arrange the pillows/stuffed animals neatly on their bed.
Chores to do with 3-year-olds
By three, most children are more independent and will want to do many things themselves. They are also more capable of following step-by-step instructions. Continue building independence and confidence in completing any of the above chores. If you want to add new tasks for your strong-willed little one, try some of these:
-Watering plants: Give your child a small watering can and demonstrate how to water houseplants or your garden.
-Laundry: Encourage them to put their dirty clothes in the hamper daily. Have them help fold simple laundry items like socks & washcloths.
-Putting away toys/books: Have your toddler pick up their toys and place them in a toy bin/box. Ask them to put their books away after story time.
-Cooking: Help with snacks and meals by washing fruit & vegetables, adding and mixing pre-measured ingredients, sprinkling in herbs like salt & pepper (watch closely so they don’t add too much or measure in advance), tearing lettuce or fresh herbs into smaller pieces for things like salads.
-Dishes: Give your toddler a towel and have them help dry non-breakable dishes while you or an older child washes them. Let them wash/rinse non-breakable items or help load the dishwasher with supervision.
Useful tips for involving your toddler in household chores
In the early stages, it’s more about distraction than efficiency. Give your child simple tasks & make them fun, so you can get the work done.
Learning tower is a useful step stool when your toddler wants to help around the kitchen. You can also DIY one with this Ana White tutorial. This makes it so much easier to get chores done without the safety concern of your child falling from a chair or stool.
More tips:
-Make chores more fun by turning them into a game: Who can pick up the toys fastest? How many pairs of socks can you match while I fold these shirts?
-Sing a song: Here’s a couple to get you started – A Spoonful of Sugar from the nursery cleaning scene in Mary Poppins, Barney’s Clean Up song or use Ms. Rachel’s version for a familiar face.
-Use a chart with images of the chores to remind your child what to do.
-Praise effort, not perfection: “Wow! You worked so hard!”, “Thank you for helping mommy/daddy/grandma/big sister with [task]!”
By making chores fun and age-appropriate, you’re not just keeping your little one busy—you’re teaching them valuable life skills and building their confidence, one small task at a time!
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