Age-appropriate chores

Chores for 6 Year Olds: A Practical List and How to Start

A list of chores 6 year olds can do on their own, how many to give, and how to teach and reward them without constant reminders.

5 min readUpdated

Quick answer

Six year olds can make their bed, put away clean laundry, set and clear their place at the table, feed pets, water plants, tidy their room with a checklist and help pack their lunch. Start with three to five daily jobs, teach each one step by step, and reward the effort they put in.

01

What 6 year olds can usually handle

Most six year olds can finish short jobs on their own after a few rounds of practice.

  • Make their bed
  • Put clean clothes away in drawers
  • Set and clear their own place at the table
  • Feed pets and refill water bowls
  • Water plants
  • Tidy their room using a picture checklist
  • Help pack their lunch
  • Match socks from the laundry

02

How many chores to give

Three to five daily jobs is a good start. Add one new job at a time once the others become automatic.

03

Teach before you expect

Show the job, do it together, watch them do it, then hand it over. A short checklist of what done looks like avoids arguments later.

04

Reward effort, not perfection

A six year old's made bed will not look like yours. Praise the effort and the steps they got right. A few points toward a goal they chose keeps motivation high.

Key takeaways

  • Six year olds can own short daily jobs.
  • Start with three to five and add slowly.
  • Teach each job and praise the effort.

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Age-appropriate chores

How to Teach Kids a New Chore So It Sticks

A simple four-step method to teach children any household job: show, do together, watch, then hand it over with a clear definition of done.

5 min read

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