Schedule / RoutineMy toddler was furious. He’s always show a bit of a strong-willed side, but I could tell he was not going to back down over this.
I was cleaning with the spray bottle and he was adamant about cleaning right along with me. He was determined to do exactly what I was doing without assistance.
This got me thinking that it was time for some more structured “jobs” for him to do around the house—toddler chores and maybe a chore chart template to go along with it.
The toddler age is perfect to start chores for several reasons. They are at an age when emulation is peaking developmentally. Toddlers love to do things as adults do them. It offers them a sense of independence, mastery and self-confidence. It’s also a great way to help toddler feel like they belong and can contribute to the family. Most importantly, it instills the value of hard work at a very early age.
Toddler chores should be easy enough for them to complete, age appropriate, and you can use a free printable chore chart template to make it a fun game throughout the week for your kids. We started many of these toddler chores with our 2 year old using help and supervision from mom or dad along the way.
Here are 20 toddler chore ideas to get you started.
1. Pick up toys and books.
2. Pick up dirty clothes and put them in a hamper.
3. Help pour water into the pet’s bowl.
4. Wipe up spills and messes using a rag.
5. Carry a small bag to and from the car.
6. Bring plate, cup or silverware to the sink after meals.
7. Carry a small amount of folded laundry to the dresser.
8. Fold washcloths or small towels.
9. Water plants.
10. Wipe down table after meals.
11. Carry a small bag of trash outside.
12. Move clothes from dryer to laundry basket.
13. Empty silverware from dishwasher to silverware drawer.
14. Spray and wipe down coffee table using a DIY non-toxic cleaner.
15. Carry small amount of mail into the house.
16. Swiffer sweep the floor.
17. Spray and wipe windows using a DIY non-toxic cleaner.
`8. Put napkins on the table before meals.
19. Wash toys in a bucket of soapy water outside.
20. Use a small handheld vacuum to clean up floors.
I created a set of 100+ printable chore cards for kids. They are easy to use, teach kids responsibility and they are vastly different from chore charts.
In the past, when I introduced my oldest to a set of printable routine cards, I used a very specific Language of Listening® approach to help him learn how to use the cards.
I used the exact same approach to teach him how to use these chore cards. Within a few days he was doing jobs on his own, and I didn’t have to nag, yell or dangle M&Ms in front of his face.
Talk about a parenting miracle.
Printable chore cards for kids.
Once you have your chore cards, you’ll want to print them on card stock or matte photo paper. If desired, you can laminate them using some simple laminating paper, but I usually skip this step to keep it simple.
Other handy tips.
Use a sock to make dusting more fun.
Make a DIY household cleaner that is safe for kids.
- 4 oz purified water
- 2 ounces witch hazel
- 30 drops Thieves essential oil
- Shake and spray to use.
Make a DIY window cleaner that is safe for kids.
- 3 oz purified water
- 1 oz witch hazel
- 2 oz vinegar
- 30 drops Lavender essential oil
- Shake and spray to use.
Set a timer to make it a game and see how fast your toddler can complete the job.
Don’t worry about perfection. The effort of contributing to the family is most important.
Offer younger toddlers 1 or 2 jobs per day and older toddlers 2 or 3 jobs per day.
Wrapping it up.
Our son loves to help around the house with a few toddler chores each day. Most child development experts recommend starting early to “help set the foundation down the road.” Hopefully he loves cleaning as much as a teenager as he does as a two year old.
Probably not.
But I can wish right?
Want more on toddlers?
- 5 Sample Daily Toddler Schedules from Real Moms
- The Secret Only Moms of Toddlers Really Know
- What No One Tells You About Parenting Toddler Boys
- One Surefire Way to Raise Responsible Kids
- 50+ Best Simple Games for 2 Year Olds and Up
- The Ultimate List of Board Games for 2 Year Olds
How will you use a toddler chore chart template make things fun for your toddler? Let’s chat in the comments!
This is a great post, Lauren. I am now needing to get into the chore routine with my kids as they are a bit older and I may print this out for Fletcher (turns 2 in August).
My toddlers love helping and ‘clearing up’. I ought to be more structured about it. My son (2) loves to help cook. He sits by the hob and tells me when I get it wrong. “Mummy, that pan goes on that ring, not the small one” Or “I’ll just go and get you the spatula from my play kitchen that you’re going to need now.” (Except he just says “patula” or “ledderla” for ladel!)
My son loves to help cook as well and it’s something I would love to see grow as he gets older. Cooking is a really important skill for boys to learn and it’s fun too!
I totally agree with you! Exactly when kids are in toddler age they are the most willing to help with whatever they can. I agree that sometimes having them helping with the cleaning and organizing may cause a chaos in your routine but I think if you control what they do they can be actually helpful. 🙂 I have a daughter and I give her a natural vinegar cleaning spray and she really enjoy to clean what she can! Thank you for the printable toddler chore chart. Greets!
Thank you!
Chore Charts is really work.
It’s so true that we need to implement responsibility into our children early on.
I am a single mother with three children all of them of preschool age so I know how important keeping organised. The eldest child I raised with a variety of printable charts. The stars chore chart works best. Printable cards and magnets are constantly lost. Now I use the Manini app for three children. These are the same printable cards but in the phone. In the app, you can mark the completion of tasks and children like it very much. And the app has a goal Board that lists all chores and self-care for kids under the age of 5. We mark together with the children the tasks that have already been mastered. Also they actually ask for tasks themselves to make a mark the task. I felt much better. And I’m not nervous and it’s easy for children to become independent. And I have time to take self-care.