What chores should you teach your kids this spring?
Spring gives every family the chance to clean up the mess that winter typically makes inside and outside the house. And for parents, the advent of the season also presents them the perfect opportunity to get everyone in the household—the kids included—involved in what could only be an epic spring cleaning!
There are so many tasks that await every family doing spring cleaning that all hands need to be on deck. And if you haven’t gotten your kids to help out with the household chores just yet, spring cleaning is your chance to enlist them.
Of course, you’re likely to face some measure of resistance. After all, chores are labor, and kids typically aren’t too keen on doing labor, especially during the spring when the weather is beautiful and ideal for spending a lot of time outside the house.
However, you must keep in mind that spring cleaning can be done more easily and faster when everyone in the household pitches in, whether in a primary role or a supporting one. More importantly, kids doing chores will develop a sense of responsibility that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. The skills they will pick up along the way will also serve them well when they enter adulthood and start living independent lives.
So what age-appropriate chores can you teach your kids this spring? Here are 10 suggestions to help you get started.
1. PICKING UP TOYS OFF THE FLOOR
It’s never too early to get your kids involved. Something as simple as picking up toys off the floor and putting them where they belong can be taught to kids as young as 3 or 4. You can also teach them to put their dirty laundry in the hamper.
2. WIPING DOWN TASKS
A 5 to 6-year-old child can already handle chores like wiping down lower windows and cabinets as well as baseboards.
3. WATERING THE PLANTS
For a kid aged 7 to 9 years old, watering the garden should be easy enough. Simply give them a watering can and teach them how to water without getting water everywhere.
4. MAKING THEIR BED
Have your kids watch you as you make their bed and tell them to do the same every day when they wake up.
5. WASHING THE CAR
Kids as young as 10 can already assist in washing cars, but teenagers who already have a license to drive must carry the full responsibility of keeping the car that they drive clean inside and out.
6. CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE
This is one task 12-year-old children can do easily enough. Teach them how to look for expiration dates on labels, among other things.
7. COOKING
Your children will need to learn to cook sooner or later. Start them out with the simplest of meals, like preparing cereals or boiling eggs. Let their cooking skills progress as they age, with your guidance, of course.
8. HOUSECLEANING TASKS
Children need to learn how to clean house, whether it’s sweeping, mopping or scrubbing the floors, vacuuming, or keeping the bathroom and kitchen clean. If they don’t learn to do any of the above, they will likely be living messy and cluttered lives as adults.
9. DIY HANDYMAN TASKS
Obviously, this one is for older children who can already handle hammers, screwdrivers, and other tools safely. Hammering nails, tightening screws, or even using power drills are some of the skills you can teach your kid during the spring.
10. DOING THE LAUNDRY
Yet another skill that all children must have. Ideally, children aged 13 and up must be able to wash their own clothes properly, and it’s a great lifestyle skill to have when they’re older and off to college.
Several studies have found that people who did chores as kids are typically happier and more successful adults. Teach them and get them to do household chores, and you’ll be doing them a huge favor.
