By the age of six and seven, many children are familiar with some of their parents' household tasks. It's also around this age that some parents begin thinking about encouraging their kids to start helping out with household chores. It's up to each family to decide whether to ask their kids to help with the housework.
While it might work well for one household, it might not be suitable for another. Sonia Rach, Deputy News Editor of FT Adviser and author of Loose Change: Tina Learns to Save, agrees and suggests that “With pocket money for chores, there is a fine line between the jobs kids must do to sustain the household and contribute and then the jobs they do to earn money. It’s best to outline a routine of general responsibilities and then have ‘bonus chores’ where they can opt to pick up any chores that are generally outside their remit. This won’t do any harm for children to feel like they have earned or worked for that toy they wanted. In fact, it’s more likely to have benefits such as self-confidence and a sense of achievement that they were able to successfully purchase it.”
If you do feel that the time is right for your kids to start helping out at home, you may also want to think about making chores fun and rewarding them for their efforts. Many kids love the idea of earning their own money, even if it's only a small amount. It's also a fantastic way to motivate kids to do their chores, introduce them to money management, and establish a link between work and money.
If you do decide to give your kids chores to do, it's important that you give them age-appropriate chores. Says Sue Atkins, Family Parenting Expert and author of Parenting Made Easy, “The best way to set chores is to do it in an incremental way, Start with small, simple chores and gradually increase the difficulty and complexity so kids can learn new skills and develop a sense of responsibility. Incremental chores can also help kids feel like they are making a difference and contributing to the family team.
While our Youth Economy Report found that doing laundry became an increasingly popular task in 2021, this might be beyond a six-year-old. However, there are plenty of tasks your six or seven-year-old can help out with if you want them to start learning some valuable skills.
Age-appropriate chores for 6-7 year olds
- Making the bed
- Tidying and cleaning their bedroom
- Putting clothes away
- Putting out clothes for the next day
- A list of outdoor chores
- Watering plants
- Raking leaves
- Planting flowers
- Cleaning garden furniture
Should a child aged 6-7 be doing chores?
While it's entirely your choice to give your kids chores, asking them to help out around the house can really benefit them, now and in the future. If you decide to reward your children for completing chores, this will form the foundation of their financial education. While you may only pay them a small amount for a task, it will help them link money and work, and as their ‘earnings’ build-up, they'll be able to see the value in their efforts. But their financial education doesn't end there. They may also begin to learn what it means to save their money (especially if they have their eye on a new toy) and how to spend responsibly.
Sue Atkins, Family Parenting Expert agrees, “The best way to set chores is to start early. Even very young children love to help you clean and hoover; encourage them. Alongside this, talk about expectations and the fact you are all a team in the house and need to work together.
Doing this creates a chore mindset in children, making it easier to set chores when they are older and maybe less willing. It also helps them be thoughtful adults when they no longer live at home.”
While it's entirely your choice to give your kids chores, asking them to help out around the house can really benefit them, now and in the future. If you decide to reward your children for completing chores, this will form the foundation of their financial education. While you may only pay them a small amount for a task, it will help them link money and work, and as their ‘earnings’ build up, they'll be able to see the value in their efforts. But their financial education doesn't end there. They may also begin to learn what it means to save their money (especially if they have their eye on a new toy), and how to spend responsibly.
There are also practical life skills that children can learn from doing chores. While chores for a seven-year-old may not be particularly complex, it will teach them basic skills that they can build on, such as putting their toys away, dusting the furniture or laying the table. It can also help to feel part of a team and a sense of pride that they are making an important contribution to the household.
Reward your kids for completing chores with GoHenry
Rewarding your kids for doing their chores is a great way to motivate them to help out around the house and thank them for their efforts. One of the benefits of chores and related rewards is that it teaches kids about the benefits of hard work and doing a good job. But if you are looking to combine rewards with learning valuable money management skills, then that's where a GoHenry prepaid debit card for kids can come in.
Once you set up a GoHenry prepaid debit card account for your kids, you can create rules for where they spend their money, including weekly limits and reward them for doing household chores. The kids get their own personalised GoHenry prepaid debit card which they can use online, in shops or at ATMs to withdraw cash. You’ll also have access to GoHenry's Money Missions, which feature interactive games and quizzes to help kids learn about managing their money.
Tips for parents when giving chores to 6-7-year-olds
Keep chores simple
Choose age-appropriate chores that are simple and manageable for a 6-7-year-old to understand and complete independently. Tasks like making their bed, putting away toys, or setting the table are suitable options.
Provide clear instructions
Explain the chore clearly to your child, breaking it down into simple steps. Use language that they can understand, and if necessary, demonstrate how to complete the task.
Be patient and encouraging
Children at this age are still learning and may need guidance and encouragement as they tackle new chores. Offer praise and positive reinforcement for their efforts, even if the task isn't done perfectly.
Set realistic expectations
Understand that young children may not always complete chores to the same standard as adults. Focus on effort rather than perfection, and gradually increase expectations as they develop their skills and capabilities.
Make chores fun
Turn chores into a game or a fun activity to engage your child and make the experience more enjoyable. You can set a timer, play music, or create a reward system to motivate them to complete their tasks.
Be consistent
Establish a regular chore routine and enforce it consistently. Consistency helps children develop responsibility and accountability for their actions.
Offer choices
Give your child some autonomy by allowing them to choose which chores they want to do. Offering choices helps them feel empowered and encourages a sense of ownership over their responsibilities.
It doesn't have to be perfect
Chores for seven-year-olds may be similar to some of the basic tasks you do around the house, but — being realistic — kids that age aren't going to do the same chores as an adult. They probably won't be as thorough as you, will make mistakes and may even create more mess. That's fine. It's more important that you focus on their eagerness to learn and help and guide them until they do it independently.
Prepare a chore chart
A chore chart is a great way for everyone to see what they need to do to help out and when they need to do it. Ask the kids to help you prepare the chore chart and pick which tasks they'd most like to complete, making sure the chores they pick are age-appropriate. Then you can split your chore chart into three columns — one for the list of chores and who will be doing it, one for the deadline, and one where kids can add a tick to mark the chore complete. Make sure you put the chart somewhere that everyone in the family can see it, such as on the front of the fridge.
Related: Free printable chore chart, Chore chart ideas for kids
List of indoor chores appropriate for 6 - 7 year olds
Making the bed
Many children from the age of six to seven can start each day by making their beds. It's a good habit for them to get into each morning, and it doesn't have to be perfect. Give them a few demonstrations of how to do it, and then leave it to them to ask for help if they need it.
Tidying and cleaning their bedroom
By this age, most kids will have a basic idea of how to tidy a room and where things go, especially when it's their bedroom. You can encourage them to get started by picking up and putting away their toys and putting books back on the shelf and dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Putting clothes away
While they may not be able to fold or put clothes away as neatly as you would, most six and seven-year-olds will be able to pair clean socks and put their clean clothes away in the correct place.
Putting out clothes for the next day
One of the simplest tasks you can give your kids is to get their school uniform out ready for the next day. Make sure they know to get everything ready, including pants and socks.
Bathroom chores
A few tasks that kids aged six to seven can help out with in the bathroom include changing the toilet paper roll, putting the empty roll in recycling, hanging up dropped towels and putting wet towels on the towel rail or in the laundry basket.
Watering plants
Children can water indoor plants. Provide them with a small watering can or a pitcher and teach them how to gently water the plants without overwatering or spilling.
Feeding pets
This is an easy one for kids this age to do, but you need to ensure they remember and don’t overfeed. Show them how to do it and make it easy by putting a reminder somewhere they can see.
Do homework/reading when asked
Your child might not have much homework at this age, but daily reading is one chore they need to get used to doing. Create a time for it to happen every day and a checklist so they know they have followed through and ticked it off their list.
Go to bed on time
Make going to bed a routine they can easily follow so it becomes a task/chore for them to do every day, Include times for when they need to start the routine, what they need to do and a time for lights out.
Get ready for school when asked
Children of this age are already used to going to school, but many kids have bad time management, especially in the morning. Create a morning routine that they can follow themselves, factoring in brushing of teeth, breakfast, changing and leaving on time.
A list of outdoor chores
Watering plants
Whether with a watering can or the garden hose, kids aged six and seven can help water the plants in the garden. You may have to show them how much water to give the plants first to avoid them getting oversaturated.
Raking leaves
Raking leaves is quite a fun job for kids to do. You can get child-sized rakes that are much easier and safer for them to use to rake leaves into tall piles.
Planting flowers
Planting flowers in the garden is a great chore for seven-year-olds that they can really enjoy while learning about different plants and how to care for them.
Cleaning garden furniture
Garden furniture can get grubby over winter, so ask your six or seven-year-old to help you spring clean the outdoor tables and chairs to get them ready for the spring and summer.
Dog walking with you
Six- and seven-year-olds aren’t old enough to dog-walk on their own but get them to come with you. This way, you can build up their confidence in how to do it correctly when they are teens
Weeding flower beds
Children can help pull weeds from flower beds and garden areas. Teach them how to identify weeds and distinguish them from plants that should be kept.
Sweeping pathways
Give your child a small broom and dustpan to sweep porches, pathways, or outdoor play areas. They can help keep these areas clean and free from debris.
Picking up outdoor toys
Encourage your child to help gather and put away outdoor toys and equipment after playing outside. This includes items like balls, bicycles, scooters, and gardening tools.
Planting
Kids this age love planting, so show them how to plant seeds and grow something, for example, a strawberry plant or a sunflower. Make them take responsibility for daily care and watering.
Washing the car
They can’t do this alone, but they can certainly help hose a car down and clean out the inside of a car with you.
The benefits of chores for 6-7 year olds
- Teaches responsibility
Chores instil a sense of responsibility in children as they learn that contributing to household tasks is part of being a member of the family. This responsibility helps them understand the importance of fulfilling obligations and commitments.
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Develops life skills
Engaging in chores at a young age helps children develop important life skills such as organisation, time management, problem-solving, and decision-making. They learn how to plan and execute tasks efficiently.
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Promotes independence
By completing chores independently, children gain confidence in their abilities and develop a sense of independence. They learn to rely on themselves to accomplish tasks and become more self-sufficient.
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Enhances executive functioning
Chores require children to follow instructions, prioritise tasks, and manage their time effectively. These activities help strengthen their executive functioning skills, including attention, memory, and self-regulation.
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Encourages cooperation
When children participate in household chores, they learn the importance of teamwork and cooperation. They understand that everyone in the family has a role to play in maintaining the home, and they develop empathy and consideration for others.
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Promotes accountability
Completing assigned chores teaches children to take ownership of their responsibilities and be accountable for their actions. They learn the consequences of not fulfilling their duties and understand the importance of reliability and dependability.
How GoHenry can help
GoHenry is a prepaid debit card for kids with a companion app that makes it easy for parents to give their children pocket money for doing chores. With GoHenry, parents can quickly and easily set up tasks and pay their child's pocket money when they are marked complete. This helps children learn responsibility and the value of work.
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