10 Age Appropriate Chore Ideas for 6-Year Olds + How to Motivate Them!

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As a parent, there’s always this balance between letting our children just be kids and also teaching them important skills. This list of age appropriate chore ideas for 6 year olds should help give you a jumping off point that will encourage important life skills without going over the top.

As a mom of three, I’m at the stage now where my kids doing family chores isn’t just a good thing for them, it actually helps me out too!

In the beginning, it can take some work and oversight to teach them to do things well, but it is totally worth it for both them and yourself.

Why It’s Important to Include Your Child in Household Chores

Critics of children having to do simple chores often say that children should be left to just be children. A child’s work is play.

I don’t disagree, but I also see the great disservice it does to our children in the long run if we don’t equip them with basic skills that they’ll need for the rest of their lives.

Not only that, but the character training that is involved is in my opinion, absolutely vital.

There are many benefits to chores.

Children who partake in family chores gain a sense of responsibility, a sense of pride in the work they do, a strong work ethic, and many basic life skills.

Giving your kids chores isn’t just you dumping your responsibilities onto them. At least, it isn’t when it’s done with balance and careful consideration.

Instead, you’re giving them the opportunity to understand the value of hard work and taking care of the things they’ve been given.

10 Age Appropriate Chore Ideas for 6 Year Olds (that they can do on their own!)

You know your child and home best so keep in mind what will actually work for your family. Not all of these chores will be relevant to everyone. These are just the best chores that worked well for my 6-year old.

Also, I would recommend choosing household tasks that will actually be a help to you. That makes it a win-win for everyone.

I’ve used these chore charts for my kids to help them remember what needs to be done and to help them keep on task.

You might also consider if any chores are worth earning an allowance for or if they will all just be expected to be done as a member of the family.

Most of the household chores our children do are daily things that they don’t get paid for. I feel it’s important that they understand that chores are just a part of life and an important one at that.

However, we have a select few that are done on a weekly basis and they’re able to earn pocket money by completing them. This is a great way for them to start understanding the concept of earning money and financial literacy.

Whatever you choose is totally up to you and I don’t think there’s really a wrong answer. Each family may take a different approach and that’s just fine.

#1 Take Out the Trash

This is a great chore for kids of all ages, but especially for those who are always asking to do something. It’s a simple task that can be done daily and doesn’t require much supervision.

I have my son bring in the trash cans from the road once they’ve been emptied. Of course, make sure they’re practicing good road safety and you’re supervising. This is something he does once a week and is part of his paid chores.

#2 Dust the Base Boards

This is another chore that doesn’t require much supervision. It’s a great way to teach kids about dusting and cleaning surfaces.

I have my kids dust the skirting boards in our house every week. They know where to get the feather duster from and they know how to reach it without any help.

It’s also great because they’re shorter and it’s not such a big deal for them to get down low and dust.

#3 Laundry

Laundry is a great age-appropriate chore for kids because it’s something they can do with supervision. It’s also a task that needs to be done regularly, so it’s a good way to teach kids about responsibility. There is never a day when there is no dirty laundry to be washed in our home.

We do laundry daily in our home so my children get plenty of practice!

I start when they’re 3 years old. They can totally help put dirty clothes in the washing machine and then turn it on.

We wash all clothes together, but if you do each person’s clothes separately, I would totally have your 6-year-old do their own laundry from start to finish with your assistance.

#4 Unload the Dishwasher

I have my kids unload the dishwasher every morning. I pair up older kids with younger siblings, but a 6-year-old is definitely capable.

Just be sure to have a clear conversation about potential safety issues such as proper handling of knives, etc.

If it’s too much for your 6-year old to do it all on their own, perhaps split the task? I have my younger daughters work together to unload the top shelf, while my son does the bottom shelf.

I actually start this chore with my kids when they’re about 3. When they’re that young, I just have them unload the cutlery basket. They’ve always loved doing this.

#5 Fold Towels

Folding towels is a great chore that can be tricky at first but easy once they’ve practiced a few times.

We clean our towels once a week so it’s perfect for a weekly chore. I find that my kids really enjoy this kind of chore because it’s not too difficult or time-consuming.

Folding laundry, in general, is great for the whole family to do together. We chat and work together to get it done quickly.

#6 Make their Bed

I require all of my children to make their beds, even my 3-year-old. Obviously, my standards are different depending on their ages, but it’s an expectation nonetheless.

Your 6-year-old can totally do this. If you want to make it easier, you could invest in some zipper bedding.

Make sure you go through the motions of making a bed with them so that they’re not frustrated, to begin with. Use your discretion when it comes to the quality of their work.

I always want to have grace with my children but I also want them to learn to always do their best as well.

#7 Feed Pets

Feeding pets is a great chore for a 6-year-old. It’s something they can do with supervision and it’s a great way to teach kids responsibility.

We have a dog that my son feeds every morning. It’s a simple task.

We have a rule that the dog is fed before anything else, otherwise, my son gets distracted.

#8 Clean Up the Yard

I don’t know about your kids but mine sure know how to make a mess in the yard. It’s a blessing really because it means they’re playing outside a lot. I’d also prefer the mess to be outside than in my house.

However, it can get out of hand fast. For that reason, I have cleaning up the yard as a weekly chore for them. Yard work is something my son particularly likes and so is always part of his regular chores.

This is great for a 6-year-old. Just be sure to give them a bit of a focused list so they don’t get overwhelmed.

For instance, I will give them specific instructions such as starting with putting bikes away, then moving on to picking up random toys. It really does help.

My son will often ask where to start first. Giving him a specific task helps a lot. Otherwise, he can get overwhelmed and that’s not great for anyone.

#9 Tidy Their Room

My children have to do a general pick-up of their bedrooms daily, but every week they’re required to do more of a deep clean.

I have my six-year-old dust surfaces, vacuum, and generally just tidy up. It’s a great age-appropriate chore because it’s something they can do on their own and get better at with time.

Plus, it’s a good way to teach them about responsibility and taking care of their belongings.

We have a general statement in our home that I recite often, “We take care of the things God’s given us”.

I want my children to not only be grateful for what they have but to treat it with respect as well.

#10 Vacuum

My kids love to have a turn with the vacuum. I don’t know why but I appreciate it.

We have a cordless vacuum which makes vacuuming possible for my little ones. I can set it at its lowest height and it’s perfect for a kid to use.

This is a great chore for your 6-year-old. Just be sure that the area they’re required to vacuum isn’t too vast as it’s a fairly physical task for a child that young.

How to Implement Chores

Having a list of chores and actually knowing how to implement them are two different things.

Here are some really helpful tips to get you started but you can read more about how to get your kids started with chores in this post.

#1 Make a list of age-appropriate chores for your child

You need a list of chores before you start. Obviously, the ones listed above are a great jumping-off point but do consider what is right for your family. The chore ideas above are just general things that have worked for our family.

You may wish to think about what skills you’d like your child to learn when you’re choosing their chores. I would also recommend switching out their chores every few months. Having new chores will help keep up their motivation and also make sure they’re learning a range of new skills.

#2 Explain the importance of completing chores and why they’re important

Chores are very often painted in a negative light. I don’t want my children to be taught that work is bad. Work is good for us. It is a blessing that we get to move our bodies and take care of the things we’ve been blessed with.

Have a frank conversation with your child on this subject. Even 6-year-olds can grasp pretty deep concepts. Don’t underestimate your child.

I so often find that my children are far more willing to comply when I give them the respect of having a clear conversation. Explain the why behind your expectations and it really helps.

#3 Help them choose a chore from the list that they would like to do

There’s a balance to be had when it comes to this concept. My children know that there are certain jobs that are simply required of them because they’re part of our family.

However, if you really want to garner some motivation, giving them a little choice in the matter can help.

#4 Offer encouragement and praise when they complete their chosen chore

This is so important. I cannot stress it enough. Children, just like adults, need to know that their efforts are appreciated. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative and point out what wasn’t done well.

Make a concerted effort to focus on the positive and you’ll be amazed at how much more your child wants to please.

Positive reinforcement is simple to give and can really make a lasting impact.

#5 Let them know that there may be consequences if they do not complete their chore (e.g., losing privileges, etc.)

This is a bit of a controversial topic. I’m not a huge fan of using punishments as a way to motivate children but I do think there need to be consequences for not completing chores.

Again, this will look different for every family. Just be sure that the consequences are age-appropriate and consistent.

I try to make them as much like natural consequences as possible. Chores are life skills after all. I want my children to realize why it is that we take care of our home and the things within it.

To Sum it Up

Your 6-year-old is probably more capable than you think of doing chores around your home. Young children are usually really eager to feel needed and helpful. Working with them to establish a list of tasks they can complete is rewarding for the whole family.

I’ve found that starting chores with younger kids is better than leaving them until later on. When they start at a young age, it becomes a habit that is easier for them to do.

Older children may not always do it with a positive attitude, but doing chores around the home is the best way for them to learn so many skills simply by completing simple tasks.

It will probably take some work on your behalf in the beginning, but the life skills they gain will be so worthwhile!