Chores for 3 Year Olds
According to research (source: AACAP), it is recommended to involve children as young as 3 years old in doing chores. When children participate in household tasks, they tend to experience certain advantages. These advantages include having a higher self-esteem, be more responsible, and be better equipped to deal with frustration, and having improved abilities to handle frustration, challenges, and the ability to wait for delayed gratification.
Three year olds are anxious to help out at home and become independent. They want to feel “big” and capable. A three year old will probably be more into doing chores than a capable teenager. You can give them some minor responsibilities as long as the chore is age-appropriate. They cannot lift anything heavy or anything that will break. They should also not be given anything dangerous. Whatever they do will probably need to be redone but the point is to get them started and develop good habits. It will pay off when they are older. It will take longer to show them how to do something than to do it yourself but at this age the point is not to get them to help you but rather to develop good habits and prepare them for these skills when they are older. It will pay off eventually.
Any chore that you ask your 3 year old to do should be compatible with their developmental level both physical and mental. Ask them to do things that they are capable of doing so that when they complete the chores they will get to feel like they accomplished something. If the task is too hard it will be discouraging.
Chore List for 3 Year Olds
Here are some age appropriate chores for a 3 year old:
Around the House
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Put toys away in a bin or shelf
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Place books on low shelves
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Dust low surfaces with a soft cloth
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Pick up blankets or pillows
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Put clothes in the hamper
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Tidy up after playtime
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Wipe small spills with a sponge
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Throw small trash pieces away
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Carry light objects from room to room
Mealtime Helpers
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Help set napkins or spoons
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Clear their own plate/cup
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Help wipe down the play or snack table
Self-Care and Personal Tasks
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Get dressed with help
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Put on shoes with help
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Brush teeth and wash face (with supervision)
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Hang up towels or clothes (with help)
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Match socks or sort laundry (simple matching)
Pet & Plant Helpers
(With supervision)
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Pour dry pet food into a bowl
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Water indoor plants with a tiny watering can
Chore Chart for 3 Year Old
We offer free printable chores charts with pictures that you can upload. Since 3 year olds cannot yet read you can add photos that will describe each chore or task.
See more toddler reward chart templates.