Nobody ever said having children would be easy. But instilling in them responsibility and good habits as early as possible can pay off for years to come. Tasks we might think of as adult responsibilities, like preparing meals, doing housework, and handling money, are all important life skills for everyone to learn, which is why assigning chores to children can be so beneficial. Here are some of the best chores to give to your kids to teach them essential skills and get them on the path to adulthood.
Cooking and meal prep are an important life skill that all kids should learn. Even if they’re too young to wield a knife or cook on a stove, there are still plenty of ways they can help. Have them measure out ingredients in measuring cups, stir mixtures in bowls, wash and tear lettuce for a salad, set the table for dinner, or even help you create a grocery list.
We all need to learn how to clean and do our own laundry. Install task systems like checklists and provide plenty of cleaning supplies. You can even challenge them to a friendly cleaning competition! Start offering age-appropriate responsibilities at an early age and increase the difficulty as they mature.
Financial literacy is a skill that everybody needs, but isn't always taught in school. Talk to your children about saving and spending and give them tasks associated with those topics. Have them keep a journal, draw up a budget, pick out a charity to donate a portion of their allowance to, or offer to match their savings as incentive to stash away their money.
Gardening can be incredibly rewarding, as well as educational. Find tasks based on the age of your child to teach them the basics of gardening. Even little ones can help with soil prep, planting seeds, and pruning plants. Plus, it’s a great way for them to get connected with nature and the outdoors.
It can be tough to find the time and energy to teach your children chores as they grow. But with a bit of patience and structure, assigning tasks can help shape your children into responsible adults and prepare them for the future.