41 Best Chores for 4 Year Olds: Age-Appropriate List
41 Chores For 4 year Olds. These age-appropriate chore ideas are divided into kitchen chores, general cleaning, laundry, self-care/hygiene, and other household chores. These are suggestions and all chores require adult supervision. Around our home, we start teaching life skills early. I prefer to call them life skills because the term chore means an unpleasant but necessary task. These aren’t just annoying and undesirable tasks that we are doing, these tasks are purposeful and useful for life. So, let’s redefine these important skills as life skills.
As parents, we tend to make a common error when handing out chores to our kids.
Often we expect our workload to lighten (while that is a perk), but it should not be the sole purpose of giving our kids chores. Rather, we should be present with our kids as they learn each task. These tasks are opportunities for them to work on setting a solid foundation to build a lifetime set of skills. Along the way, young children are gaining fine and gross motor skills while building basic skills for life.
Above is the chore chart that I use with my young children. The section “I’m learning to” is a great reminder that the chores listed in this box are chores that my child continues to need increased instruction and supervision. This is a great reminder for me to check my expectations. Below are chores she has mastered and can carry out almost independently. I have a complete Preschool Chores Bundler for FREE. Scroll to the pink box to grab your freebie.
Young children often love to help out around the house and sometimes it can be difficult for us as parents to think of something they can do. This is a list of opportunities for our little ones to serve and help! I hope this list of chores for four year olds helps!
List of 41 Age-Appropriate Chores for Young Children: Best Chores for 4 year Olds
Kitchen Chores
- load dishwasher
- empty dishwasher
- wash dishes
- clear dishes
- set table
- clean sink
- sort silverware
- clean table
- wipe counters
- wash fruits and vegetables
- feed sourdough starter
- put away groceries
General Cleaning
- sweep
- mop
- vacuum
- take out trash
- sort recycling
- empty waste baskets
Laundry
- dirty clothes in hamper
- fold laundry
- match socks
- put away clothes
- sort laundry
- hang clothes on line
self-care and hyGIene
- wash hands
- put on pajamas
- take bath
- brush hair
- brush teeth
- wash face
- get dressed
Other Household chores
- make bed
- put away shoes
- pick up toys
- gather eggs
- pet car
- water plants
- pull weeds
- put away books
- clean car seat
- pick up toys in yard
Benefits for Childhood Chores
Here are a few benefits for Giving Kids Chores:
- experience a sense of accomplishment
- develop good habits
- establish routines and daily rhythms
- teach a sense of responsibility
- build confidence
- develop a good work ethic
- gain important life skills
- learn valuable lessons
- build foundational skills
- develop real-life skills
- increase independence
- develop teamwork
- learn to serve others
- take initiative in serving and helping
Bible Verses for Childhood Chores
Sharing chores with our children gives us many opportunities to teach God’s Word practically. Our children will learn that we can praise and worship God in the ordinary moments of life. It is good for kids to know that helping in the home is pleasing to the Lord. In serving others and obeying parents, the child is serving Jesus. But it’s not just the act of service, completing the chore, or checking of the box that is important, it’s the child’s heart and attitude. We are to do things with a good attitude and doing things well.
Here are a few bible verses to remind and encourage your children while they complete their chores:
- “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” Philippians 2:14 (ESV)
- “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
- “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
- “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
We should always take every opportunity to share the Gospel with our children. Remember, they are watching us. The saying more is caught than taught applies strongly here. If we are grumbling about completing housework and daily tasks, our children will begin to notice the inconsistencies in our actions and teachings. [I have so many thoughts on this section. It’s in the works.]
More Early Learning Freebies
Free Bedtime Visual Schedule Printables
Evening and Bedtime Rhythm Visual Schedule for FREE. CLICK HERE.
Free Daily Rhythm Visual Schedule Printable Bundle
Grab the FREE Printable Bundle HERE.
Free Nature-Themed Alphabet Morning Menu Printable
Get the early learning bundle HERE.
More Booklists And Free Printables Coming Soon!
Thanks for Stopping By!
Lastly, I want to thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section. Make sure to grab my free chore bundle for preschoolers. Regular use of chore charts has become a fun little tradition in our family! Please feel free to share about your chore chart system. If you find this printable bundle helpful, make sure to look out for my monthly newsletter. Each month, I’ll add new free printables to the subscriber library and include booklists for kids. And if you are looking for more instruction on childhood chores, watch Ruth Zimmerman over at Homesteading with the Zimmermans YouTube video on Childhood Chores.
I hope you have a beautiful day and happy early learning! I truly appreciate your support and kindness.
– With Great Joy, Katie
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