It may seem daunting to figure out how to get chores done with a toddler. However, letting them join you in age-appropriate chores can be a great way to stay connected with them. Kids are never too young to learn how to help. 

Some people may argue that it takes too much time and energy to involve their toddler in daily chores. Afterall, they often have no clue what to do or how to do it! So why bother involving them? 

If your only goal is to get tasks done quickly and efficiently, then you are right that trying to do chores with your toddler will be a waste of time. However, the benefits that come when you involve your child in daily chores far outweighs the time you would have saved. 

Benefits of Involving Your Toddler in Chores:

Here are benefits that are likely to come from getting chores done with your toddler [source]:

• You will have a stronger relationship with your child.
• You will be spending more quality time with your child.
• Your child will grow up learning to love and value work.
• Your child will be more willing to do what you ask.
• Work around the house won’t seem as dull and boring to you or your child.

So while it does take extra effort to get chores done with your toddler, you are doing them a great service! And the younger you start your child on chores, the sooner they will learn how to do chores properly and how to be helpful.

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Toddlers:

1. Folding laundry

Younger toddlers won’t be able to fold laundry, but you can let them empty the basket for you! Just make sure the folded clothes are out of reach.

Folding clothes is an age-appropriate chore for 2 and 3 year olds, but it depends on what is being folded and how it is folded.

My toddler has a hard time folding shirts and pants, but she is a pro at folding washcloths! After finding something she could fold on her own, she is eager to help me fold washcloths and hand towels. 

2. Transferring laundry

Our washer is a top loader, so I like to sit my toddler on top of the dryer and hand her clothes to throw into the washer. She is three now, but ever since she was 1 year old she has had fun throwing the clothes I give her into the giant washer hole.

3. Cleaning windows and mirrors

This is one of Charity’s favorite chores to do. She gets excited when I let her wipe down the bathroom mirror after I spray it. Sometimes I’ll give her a turn spraying, too. 

4. Wiping down the table (or anything else!)

My oldest loves to wipe down surfaces! Whether it is the table, a dresser, a mirror, or a sink, she loves it!

To get this chore done with your toddler, hand them a wipe or washcloth and tell them where to clean. I’ve noticed it goes smoother if you are cleaning with them so they don’t get distracted and they can learn by watching you.

5. Weeding the yard

When my oldest (Charity) was a year old, I let her put weeds into a plastic bin while I was weeding the yard. (See the cute video here.) She was very eager to help and didn’t even act like it was work! It was all a game to her. 

Now that she’s older, we like to give Charity a small shovel to “weed” with and tell her to put weeds and other unwanted items into a pile. It feels good knowing that she can be out “working” with us and slowly learn what it takes to take care of a yard.

6. Unloading the silverware (for older toddlers)

Silverware is a great age-appropriate chore for toddlers who are 2-3 years old. After removing sharp and dangerous items, let your child sort the silverware into the designated spots. They will probably need more guidance when they first start doing this chore. 

This is a great skill that will not only teach them about helping the family, but it will help them with their memorization and sorting skills!

7. Cleaning the toilet

Cleaning the toilet is one of the easiest chores to get done with a toddler. After dumping the cleaner in, let them scrub away at the toilet with the toilet scrubber! I almost guarantee they will think it is fun. 

(Just be sure to monitor them so they don’t make a mess.)

8. Vacuuming

While vacuuming may scare some toddlers, others will be fascinated by it! Charity loves to take turns vacuuming by herself, and she actually does a pretty decent job! 

If your toddler is scared of the loud noise, letting them vacuum with you could be a way to lessen their fears. Each child is different though, so gauge it according to their needs. 

9. Putting toys away in toy bins 

This is one of the easiest and most age-appropriate chore for toddlers. Putting toys away into their designated toy bins is so simple and doesn’t have to take long. It is also something that you could do together as part of a daily routine. 

10. Sweeping

Many children will see their parents sweeping and want to join in. Unfortunately, this can often create a big mess. My advice is to let them get involved in whatever way possible without destroying the floor.

Even if they don’t make the floor cleaner, you are aiding in your child’s growth and development by letting them be involved.

Involving your toddler in sweeping could mean giving them a turn with the big broom after most of the dirt is off the floor, or allowing them to sweep next to you using their own toy broom. My toddler loves this toy broom and dust pan and will often use it to sweep up small messes. 

How to Get Chores Done With a Toddler:

1. Give positive reinforcement

When you give positive reinforcement to your toddler for helping, it will encourage them to repeat the behavior. They want to please you even at this young age, so encouraging them along the way will bring them lots of joy. Positive reinforcement can be as simple as:

• Clapping
• Saying “Yay!” or “Good job!”
• Giving them a high-five or fist bump
• Smiling and encouraging them to do it again
• Thanking them for their help 
• Sharing how much you appreciate them helping
• Reflecting on how good it feels to have a clean room/table/bathroom after cleaning

An occasional reward, such as a treat or a sticker, can be helpful too. Just try not to make rewards the focus of getting all chores done with your toddler. 

2. Have realistic expectations

It’s important that you don’t push your toddler to do a chore that is not age-appropriate for toddlers. If it requires motor skills they don’t yet have or takes longer than they have attention for, then it may be too much. 

Focus on giving your toddler small tasks that they can easily do by themselves or with little supervision. This will allow you to have more time to do the more difficult tasks while helping your toddler practice independence. 

If your child needs a break to play after accomplishing a small chore, then that is fine! If they feel overworked, they likely won’t want to do chores with you again. 

3. Make it fun!

Who said work has to be dull and boring? Like Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game.” 

There are so many ways to make chores fun. 

How to make chores fun with toddlers:

– Have a positive attitude

Above all, have a positive attitude. 

I am well aware that cleaning can be exhausting and repetitive. However, if you act excited to clean for your kiddo, it will get them excited which will rub off on you. 

Instead of apologizing that it’s time to clean up, get excited with them to put all the toys in the box. A positive attitude can make cleaning just as fun as playing!

– Play music or sing

We like to tell Alexa to play the clean up song while we are tidying up the living room. Toddlers love music, and it helps extra if the song is about what they are doing.

– Make it a game

There are so many games you can create while doing chores with your toddler!

I like to tell Charity that her toys want to go home or go to sleep. This turns clean-up time into play-time where we are trying to get all the toys into their homes. 

Another fun game we like to play is with chocolate chips. (Or you can use another small treat or snack.) I put a small bowl of chocolate chips on the counter, and every time Charity puts one thing away, she gets one chocolate chip. 

– Have a treat waiting at the end

I don’t recommend treats for every time you get a chore done with your toddler, but every once in a while it can be helpful for both of you. Especially if you both just accomplished a big chore or did something really hard, then a treat is a great idea!

You Got This!

There are so many precious moments that come from being a parent, and God wants us to enjoy those moments. Let daily chores be an opportunity instead of an obstacle in connecting with and teaching your toddler. Pray for guidance to know how you can make the most of chore-time with your child.

As you do chores with your toddler, remember to provide age-appropriate chores for toddlers, have realistic expectations, give positive reinforcement, and of course have fun together! Toddlers can be great helpers, and they are much more capable than we give them credit for.