I used to think that children shouldn’t do housework. That it was my job – as the mummy – to keep the house clean. And pre-kids I would never have thought there would be chores for 3 year olds.
Since having kids, and being a working mum, I found that I literally spent all my free time cleaning and tidying. But the house never looked any tidier.
My kids are professional mess-makers and no matter how often I cleaned, the house would be a disaster within minutes.
So I set up some simple chores for them to do and it was the best decision I ever made!
Now they help keep the house clean and they kinda enjoy it.
My girls both know what chores they can do to help keep the mess levels down, and now we can all work together to make our home a happy place.
Teaching your child to do chores is a great way to set them on the right path. Not only will it help them develop a good work ethic, but it will also teach them responsibility.
It can be tough to know where to start, though – especially when it comes to chores that are appropriate for 3 year olds.
Keep reading for my easy-peasy list of 25 age-appropriate chores that 3 year olds can do.
There’s also a free printable toddler chore reward chart – my gift to you!
Why Should Toddlers and Preschoolers Help With Chores?
Chores help toddlers learn about responsibility
As parents, we all want our children to grow up to be responsible adults.
But how can we instill these values in our toddlers?
One way is by giving them chores to do around the home. Even simple tasks like picking up their toys from the living room floor or setting the table can help them learn about responsibility.
Giving your little one chores will help to teach them the importance of taking care of their belongings. It’ll also give them a sense of pride and accomplishment.
As they see the positive results of their efforts, they’ll be motivated to keep doing their chores. And, as they get older, they can take on more age appropriate (and more challenging) tasks that are suitable for older kids.
By teaching our toddlers and preschoolers the value of responsibility early on, we’re teaching them important skills to set them on the path to success in life.
Related: Discover these 6 sneaky ways to clean with toddlers
Chores help toddlers learn about teamwork
Chores are an important (and necessary) part of life, and they can teach toddlers some valuable lessons about teamwork.
When toddlers help with chores, they learn how to work together to accomplish a common goal. They also learn how to communicate and cooperate with others.
Moreover, chores help toddlers develop a sense of responsibility and pride in their work. As a result, assigning chores to toddlers can be a great way to encourage positive social and emotional development.
Chores help toddlers learn how to follow instructions
When it comes to raising happy and well-adjusted children, it’s important that we also teach them how to follow instructions.
Life’s gonna be pretty tough for the kid that can’t follow instructions, and we really don’t want that for our babies.
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to do this is through regular chores.
By delegating simple tasks for our little ones to do, we’re actually helping them to learn how to listen and follow instructions.
You can add new chores as your child gets older. And slowly increase the complexity of their chores, giving them a sense of accomplishment and helping them develop a strong work ethic.
So don’t be afraid to give your toddler some regular chores; it just might be the best thing you ever do for them!
Related: grab my printable cute Spring-themed to do list – it’s FREE!
Chores help toddlers develop a work ethic
Let’s be honest, no one really likes doing chores.
But as much as we may dread them, there’s no denying that chores are a necessary part of life. And, as it turns out, they can also be beneficial for toddlers to do too.
By assigning simple tasks like putting dirty clothes in the laundry hamper, or putting their own laundry in the washing machine, parents can help their children develop a strong work ethic.
Through doing these simple chores toddlers learn the value of effort and perseverance. Both of which are essential life skills.
Doing chores with mummy or daddy also gives us – the parents – lots of opportunity to praise our little ones. Kids love praise! It boosts their self-confidence and encourages a positive attitude.
So even though we may think that doing chores isn’t fun, we can make it seem like fun for the sake of our kiddos. They love to copy what mummy and daddy do.
But I do have to remind myself often that assigning age-appropriate chores for our kids isn’t a punishment. It’s an important part of raising well-rounded children.
Toddler chores help to keep the house clean and organized
You know what they say: “a family that cleans together, stays together.”
Okay, maybe that’s not an actual saying, but it should be!
In all seriousness though, giving your kids chores around the house is a great way to teach them some responsibility.
And doing some of the household tasks together is brilliant for bonding with our kiddos. It’s natural for our kids to want to do what we do. And so it’s important that we set a good example.
It may seem like more work in the short run, but trust me, it’s definitely worth it.
Not only will your house stay clean and organized, but you’ll also be instilling good values in your children that will last a lifetime.
So go ahead and give your kids a few age-appropriate chores to do on a daily basis, or each week. It’ll be good for the whole family.
Related: You’ll love these genius toy storage ideas!
Chores can be fun and rewarding for toddlers
As any parent knows, little kids can be a handful.
They’re always on the move, and they have a knack for making a huge mess in super-quick time.
However, there are benefits to giving toddlers chores to do. Not only does it help to teach them responsibility, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience for both the child and the parent.
Toddlers are often happiest when they feel like they’re helping out. Little kids want to be just like their mummy or daddy.
I remember back when Roo was just 2 years old, she’d follow me round the house pretending to be vacuuming too. She’d even ask for one of the extension pipes from my vacuum that she could push round like a hoover.
She didn’t see it as work. For her it was a fun way for us to bond, and for her to feel helpful.
And now she’s aged 4, when she makes a mess eating crackers she’ll quite happily go and get the vacuum to clean up her own crumbs.
There’s part of me that’s still really uncomfortable with this, but it makes her feel useful. Like she’s a big grown up girl.
So next time your toddler is feeling restless, try giving them a chore to do. You might be surprised at how much fun you both have in the process.
Chores help toddlers learn about the world around them
One of the best things about chores is that they offer a window into the world around us.
By completing chores, toddlers can learn about their environment and the people in it.
They can learn about the importance of teamwork and how to cooperate with others.
And, as they get older, they can learn about the value of money and how to budget their time. The possibilities are endless!
How Do You Introduce Chores to a 3 Year Old?
One way to introduce chores to a 3 year old is to make it a game.
For example, you can put on some music and dance around the house while you tidy up. This will make the experience more fun for you and your child and help them to see that chores can be enjoyable.
You might also want to use a reward chart, or a chore chart. I’m not a big fan of bribing my girls to do things. But you might want to think of a reward chart as more of a tool for positive reinforcement.
Making the list of chores realistic and achievable for your 3 year old will give them that feeling of accomplishment and boost their confidence a little more.
A chore chart is a visual way of showing your little one that they’ve done a good job! You don’t have to offer them anything extra than a big tick or a sticker to show them you’re proud of them.
FYI – did you know there’s a free printable toddler chore chart waiting for you at the bottom of this article!
How Do I Teach My 3 Year Old To Do Chores?
As a parent, it’s important to instill a sense of responsibility in your child from an early age.
One way to do this is by teaching your toddler to do chores around the house.
By helping with simple tasks, such as picking up toys or putting away dishes, your child will learn to be more independent and take pride in their accomplishments.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Start small. Don’t try to tackle too much at once. Choose one or two simple chores that you think your child can handle.
2. Make it fun. Try to turn chore time into a game or reward your child with a sticker after they complete their task. (Check out my free chore reward chart below!)
3. Be patient. It may take a while for your child to get the hang of it, but be patient and keep rewarding them for their efforts.
4. Give them a helping hand. Don’t be afraid to give your child a little help along the way. They’re still learning, and that’s perfectly okay.
5. Make it a family affair. Chores can be a great way for parents and kids to bond. Take turns assigning tasks and working together to get them done.
6. Let them fail. Toddlers are going to make mistakes, and that’s okay too. Let them learn from their own experiences and don’t be too hard on them.
7. Keep it positive. Always praise your child for their efforts, no matter how small they may be.
8. Be consistent. Establish a routine and make sure to stick to it. This will help your child know what to expect and make chores less of a chore.
9. Give them a break. Don’t expect your child to do chores every day. Let them take a break on the weekends or holidays.
10. Use simple language. When explaining chores to your child, use simple words and specific instructions that they can understand.
How Many Chores Should a Toddler Have a Day?
I’ve not always been a big believer in chores for kids.
But I do think it’s important for them to learn how to work as part of a team, and to know that taking care of a home is everyone’s responsibility.
When it comes to dividing chores, though, it’s important to be realistic.
A toddler isn’t going to be able to do a lot in one day, so I would limit it to two or three simple tasks. And they’re not gonna be able to cook you a roast! So just be realistic about what they can manage to do.
For example, they could help put away their toys, help set the table for dinner or help with sorting the laundry.
By doing a few small things each day, they’ll learn valuable life skills and feel like an important member of the family.
The Bottom Line
Doing a few household tasks are an important part of a toddler’s development. Toddler chores teach younger kids about responsibility, teamwork and the importance of taking care of their environment.
By starting with small tasks and gradually adding more household chores, young children learn skills they need to be successful in life.
And learning new skills from a young age is one of those good habits to get into.
25 Simple Chores For 3 Year Olds
Here are 25 basic chores your 3 year old can do:
- put away their toys
- pick up clothes from the floor
- sorting dirty laundry into colours
- make their own bed
- help with watering plants
- cleaning windows
- sweep the floor
- load laundry into the washing machine
- help sort the recycling into the correct categories
- dust easy to reach furniture
- help make their own lunch
- fill up the dog’s water dish
- feed the pet fish
- set the table for dinner
- fold laundry / clean clothes
- using the vacuum cleaner
- unload the dishwasher
- put away dishes in easy to reach places
- get dressed by themselves / or choose what they want to wear
- brush their teeth and hair
- put away the shopping / groceries
- hang up their own coat and bag
- put away their own shoes
- helping in the kitchen (peeling vegetables, mixing ingredients, etc.)
- help make a cake or cookies from scratch
Free Printable Chore Reward Chart
Do you have a toddler who’s ready to start doing chores?
A printable chore chart is the perfect way to get started. It will help your child learn the importance of helping around the house and give them a sense of responsibility.
I’ve made it easy for you – just download, print and get started! The chore chart is designed to be fun and engaging for your toddler, with cute graphics and easy-to-see progress.
Get your free printable toddler chore chart below.
If you like this free printable chore reward chat, then please share it with your friends and family on Facebook or Pinterest using the share buttons below. Sharing is caring!
Free Printable Chore Chart: Instant Access
This printable chore reward chart is completely free! To download it, simply pop your email in the box below.
You’ll find a link to my entire resources library and the password to you’ll need to download the free printable chore chart in your inbox. (Maybe check your junk folder if you can’t see it!)
25 Simple Chores for 3 Year Olds: Final Thoughts
Like it or not chores are an important part of life. Involving our kiddos in the housework teaches our children the value of hard work, and helps them to develop a sense of responsibility. Not to mention, they can be helpful in keeping a tidy home.
If you’re looking for some age-appropriate chore ideas for your 3 year old, I’ve got you covered in the list above. And don’t forget to print out my free chore reward chart!
What chores does your little one enjoy doing?
Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!
What Next?
Read these posts next or bookmark them for later:
- 6 Sneaky Ways to Clean with Toddlers
- How to Brush Toddler Teeth (without a battle!)
- Stress-Free Potty Training
- 10 Genius Storage Ideas
- Free Printable Cute Spring To-Do List
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Hi, I’m Jennie and I’m the blogger and content creator behind the award-winning blog GinGin & Roo, a UK parenting and lifestyle blog.
I enjoyed reading this list! My toddlers love responsibilities like sweeping and putting their clothes in the hamper. However, I know there will be a time when they won’t enjoy it as much.
Crystal | http://amazingbaby.app
It is so important getting our little ones to help early. They seem to be so much more motivated to help at this age too. Great printable as well!
I like your list of chores for 3-year-old toddlers and that you explain how it helps them. Thanks!
Awesome advice. Gotta get them into chores 😁