Chores for 6 Year Olds

A list of age appropriate chores for 6 year olds with free printable chore chart templates

Getting your six-year-old to help with household chores will not only help you but also help your child become an independent person. Chores teach kids valuable and important life skills and how to become responsible people. They will learn how to manage their time. It is much easier to get a six-year-old to start doing chores than a teenager so it is the perfect age to start if you haven’t already started.

Chore List for 6 Year Old

What are appropriate chores for a 6 year old?

Six is the first age where a child can finish a job rather than just help with one. They can hold two or three steps in their head, they can work a spray bottle and a dustpan, and they very much want to be treated as capable. What they cannot do yet is sustain it. Past about ten or fifteen minutes, a six-year-old is done, and no amount of encouragement changes that.

So the useful question at this age is not what your child can do. It is how much of you the job needs. The list below is sorted that way, because a chore they can finish alone builds confidence, while a chore that quietly requires you standing beside them is a chore you have actually given yourself.

One thing worth knowing at six: your child is learning to read. This is the year you can start swapping a picture chart for one with short words next to the pictures, which turns the chart itself into reading practice.

Chores a 6-Year-Old Can Do Alone

• Make their bed, even if the blanket ends up lumpy
• Get dressed and tuck their pajamas under the pillow
• Drop dirty clothes into the laundry basket
• Put their toys and games back on the shelf
• Brush their teeth and wipe out the sink afterwards
• Hang their backpack on its hook the moment they get in
• Clear their plate and cup to the kitchen counter
• Fetch the mail from the mailbox
• Water an indoor plant with a small watering can
• Feed the pet from a scoop you have already filled
• Empty the small wastebaskets into the big bin

Chores to Do Side by Side With You

• Sort the washing into a light pile and a dark pile
• Match the socks into pairs
• Fold washcloths, pillowcases, and their own t-shirts
• Set the table with napkins, forks, and unbreakable plates
• Rinse the fruit and vegetables in a colander
• Tear the lettuce and stir the batter
• Butter their own toast and build their own sandwich
• Put the shopping away on the shelves they can reach
• Load their own dishes into the dishwasher
• Wipe the table down after a meal
• Carry the lighter bags in from the car

Chores That Need You Watching

• Sweep crumbs into a dustpan with a child-size broom
• Push a lightweight vacuum across a rug
• Wipe low windows and door handles with a damp cloth
• Squirt the cleaner and wipe the bathroom sink after brushing their teeth
• Dust the shelves with an old sock pulled over one hand
• Pull weeds from a patch you mark out first, since a six-year-old cannot yet tell a weed from a flower
• Rake the leaves into a pile they are then allowed to jump in
• Wash the car with a sponge and a bucket of their own
• Walk the dog while you hold a second leash

Getting Ready for School

• Pack their own snack into their bag
• Check the bag for their reading book
• Lay tomorrow’s clothes out the night before
• Put their shoes by the door before bed

Chores That Are Really Practice

Some jobs at six take longer with your child than they would without them, and the point of these is not the result. It is the practice. Expect a mess, and let it be a mess.

• Cracking an egg into a bowl and fishing the shell back out
• Pouring their own drink from a small jug
• Zipping their own coat and tying their own laces
• Putting their folded clothes into the right drawer

Two or three chores is plenty at this age, and they work best fixed to a moment your child already knows: shoes away the second they walk in, plate to the counter after dinner. A six-year-old will rarely remember a chore on their own, but they will remember it if it always happens at the same point in the day.

Jobs for 6-Year-Olds

Some people believe in paid chores and therefore are looking for work for 6-year-olds that they can get paid for. I personally believe in paid chores but I do think that kids should also have responsibilities and chores that they are not paid for. In my opinion, paid chores should be over and above what they should do each day. They should be able to choose paid chores and if they do them well then they get paid for them.

If you are looking for work for 6-year-olds then choose additional chores from the list above.

Chore Chart for 6-Year-Old

Each child develops at a different pace. Some kids might not be ready for some of these chores. If not, don’t push them. Check out our list of age-appropriate chores to find daily chores for kids that are more relevant.

How to Create a Chore Chart with Pictures

1. Click on the button above to open the chore chart maker.
2. Select a chore chart with pictures (there are two options). One has an image for each chore and the other has a photo. Watch the video to see how to change the clipart or how to add your own photos.
3. Change the border color if you prefer.
4. Click on each image to upload a photo of your child doing that chore or use a chore picture.
5. Edit the text.

If you want a chore chart for kids who can read or if you prefer a chore list instead of chore pictures then select a version without pictures.

💡 Tips:

• An age-appropriate chore list is just a guide. Not every child develops at the same pace. The list above is just a guideline. However, if your child is not ready for a specific chore then don’t force it.
• Help your children make chores a part of their daily routine. If they get used to doing their chores at a certain time every day they will become a habit and part of their daily routine. If not, you will be constantly reminding them to do their chores.
• Six-year-olds are certainly old enough to do chores but you will need to show them exactly how to do them. For example, don’t ask them to load the dishwasher. Instead, show them how to pack the dishes. Let them watch you the first time. The second time, pack the dishes together. After a few times, the child can pack by herself but you will need to supervise. When you see she has it under control, you can leave her to pack the dishes by herself. Make sure that any sharp or dangerous objects are nowhere near. You might not want to let them put fragile dishes in the dishwasher.
• Some people prefer to load the dishwasher by themselves and get their kids to unload it only.

See chore chart and family chore chart

Should your 6 year old do chores?

Yes, it is appropriate to expect a 6-year-old to do age-appropriate chores around the house. Simple tasks such as picking up toys, making their bed, putting away their clothes, and helping with dishes can help teach children responsibility and contribute to the family’s overall household upkeep.

Assigning age-appropriate chores to children not only helps them learn new skills and build independence, but it also promotes a sense of belonging and teamwork within the family. It is important to keep in mind that the chores should be manageable and not too overwhelming for their age and abilities. It is also essential to praise and encourage children when they complete their chores successfully.

Assigning chores to a 6-year-old is a positive way to teach responsibility, promote self-esteem, and develop good habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Benefits of Chores

Assigning age-appropriate chores to a 6-year-old child can have several positive benefits, including:

• Developing a sense of responsibility: When children are assigned tasks to complete, they learn that they have a role to play in the family and that they are responsible for contributing to household tasks.
• Building independence: By completing chores on their own, children learn to be more independent and self-sufficient.
• Learning new skills: Chores can help children develop new skills, such as cleaning, organizing, and cooking, which they will be able to use throughout their lives.
• Promoting teamwork: When everyone in the family contributes to household tasks, it promotes a sense of teamwork and belonging.
• Boosting self-esteem: Completing chores successfully can give children a sense of accomplishment and boost their self-esteem and confidence.
• Teaching time-management: By assigning chores with specific deadlines, children learn time-management skills and the importance of completing tasks in a timely manner.

Overall, assigning chores to a 6-year-old can help them develop valuable life skills, promote responsibility and independence, and contribute to a positive family dynamic.

Things to avoid when giving a 6 year old chores

When assigning chores to a 6-year-old, it’s important to keep in mind their physical and cognitive abilities, as well as their attention span and willingness to participate. Here are some things to avoid when giving a 6-year-old chores:

• Overloading them with too many chores: Young children can quickly become overwhelmed with too many tasks at once. Start by giving them one or two simple chores and gradually increase the workload as they become more comfortable.
• Assigning chores that are too difficult: Make sure that the chores you assign are age-appropriate and match your child’s abilities. Tasks that are too difficult can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation.
• Using punishment as a motivator: While it’s important to teach your child responsibility, using punishment as a motivator can lead to a negative association with chores. Instead, use positive reinforcement such as praise and rewards to encourage good behavior.
• Not providing clear instructions: Make sure that your child understands exactly what is expected of them when it comes to their chores. Provide clear and simple instructions, and be available to answer any questions they may have.
• Expecting perfection: While it’s important to encourage your child to do their best, it’s important to remember that they are still learning. Avoid criticizing or nitpicking their work, and instead focus on praising their efforts and progress.
• Making chores feel like a burden: Try to make chores fun and engaging by turning them into a game or a challenge. This can help your child develop a positive attitude towards household tasks and make them more willing to participate.