Once school is out for Summer, kids' schedules and routines tend to become a bit more lax [1], which means a messier home, messier kids, more dirty, ice-cream-stained laundry than you know what to do with, and tons of "I'm bored"s coming out of your kids' mouths. For a total win-win, combat Summer boredom and keep your household a bit more together by assigning your little ones a few chores [2] to do.
There are a bunch of tasks around the house and in the backyard that can be completed by children based on their age, which will help them to learn about hard work and having responsibilities over their break (you can make them each a "Before You Play" list [3] of tasks or even include rewards for each one that's completed, so that there are incentives involved).
Ahead, the best Summer chores your kids can pitch in with [4] — or do on their own — this Summer.
Ages 2-3
- Put toys away indoors and outdoors
- Help sweep the deck/patio/driveway
- Help water flowers
- Put laundry in the hamper/washer
Ages 4-7
- Wash windows from the inside
- Water plants/the garden
- Pull weeds
- Plant flowers
- Pack up their backpack for day camp
- Switch laundry from the washer to dryer
Ages 8-10
- Help wash the car
- Take out the trash
- Bring in the mail
- Empty/load the dishwasher
- Fold laundry and put it away
- Wash first floor windows from the outside
- Pack a bag for a vacation/beach day
- Scrub BBQ after use
- Clean toys/leaves out of the pool filter
- Water the lawn/turn on the sprinklers
Age 11 and Older
- Mow the lawn
- Garden
- Wash/vacuum the car
- Walk the dog
- Do laundry
- Wash dishes
- Make lunches for self and siblings/pack a picnic
- Help grill
- Watch younger siblings for short periods of time (depending on state law)