8 Simple Chores to Keep Your 3 Year Old Entertained

(Last updated on September 4, 2022 by Dr. Carolina Estevez)

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— Dad’s Agree  Subject Matter Expert —
Dr. Carolina Estevez

Dr. Carolina Estevez

Psy. D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
The information within this article is in accordance with the latest research from child development experts.

Table of Contents

A child’s third birthday is a very special occasion.

It marks the end of the toddler years and the beginning of childhood. On this day, a child is no longer a baby and is starting to become their own person. They are learning to communicate, express themselves, and discover the world around them. A child’s third birthday is a time for celebration and joy. It is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to all the future brings!

Aside from this, you must know that a 3-year-old starts to develop a sense of responsibility. Us Dads are of the opinion that at this stage, you must assign them age-appropriate chores for 3-year-olds.

Many parents worry that if they give their 3-year-old children chores, they will be overburdening them. However, studies have shown that assigning simple tasks to young children can have many benefits. For one, it helps instill a sense of responsibility early on. Additionally, it can give children a sense of pride and accomplishment as they see firsthand the impact of their efforts.

And finally, it can foster a sense of cooperation and teamwork as children learn to work together towards a common goal. So the next time you’re looking for something for your 3-year-old to do, don’t be afraid to give them a few simple chores. It just might be the best thing for them.

Age Appropriate Chores for 3-Year Olds

If you are on the lookout for some age-appropriate chores for 3-year-olds, don’t worry. Dad’s here at DadsAgree.com have compiled some age-appropriate household chores for 3-year-olds. Enjoy!

Little helper cleaning up and learning to be independent. Cute 2 year old child putting cubes back in their place after playing. Toddler boy putting toys away sitting on warm floor in nursery room

Ask Them To Place Their Toys in The Toy Box

If you’re looking for some age-appropriate chores for your 3-year-old, picking up toys is a great place to start. Encourage them to put their toys away in a toy box or on a shelf when they’re finished playing with them.

This will help teach them responsibility and organization. It’s also a good way to get them involved in cleanup time. You can make it into a game by setting a timer and seeing how fast they can work.

If they’re having trouble getting started, offer some help and encouragement. With a little practice, they’ll be putting their toys away like a pro in no time!

Rabbit and Easter eggs isolated on a white background.

Ask Them To Fill The Pet's Food Bowl

Pets are a great addition to any family, providing companionship, love, and support. They also offer a unique opportunity for children to develop a sense of responsibility. If you’re looking for age-appropriate chores for kids, one task you can ask them to do is fill the pet’s food dish.

This will teach them the importance of regularly feeding their pet and help them develop a sense of routine. It’s also a good way to start teaching them about portion control. You can give them a set amount of food to measure out or let them scoop the food into the dish until it’s full. Either way, your child will learn an important lesson in pet care while getting a little bit of exercise.

Mother and kids in laundry room with washing machine or tumble dryer. Family chores. Modern household devices and washing detergent in white sunny home. Clean washed clothes on drying rack.

Ask Them To Gather Clothes and Place It In The Laundry Basket

For three-year-olds, simple tasks like gathering dirty clothes around the house and putting those dirty clothes in the hamper or in a laundry basket can be a good way to get them involved in the household chores. This not only helps to teach them responsibility but it also gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Of course, it is important to supervise young children when they are doing chores and to provide help as needed. But with a little patience and encouragement, most three-year-olds can quickly learn to take on an active role in keeping the home clean and tidy.

Little child girl cleaning in living room

Ask Them To Remove Dust off The Furniture

One of the best ways to teach your 3-year-old kid about cleanliness is to assign them age-appropriate chores such as dusting the furniture around the house. Not only will this help in keeping your home clean, but it will also give your child a sense of responsibility.

Assigning this age-appropriate chore will also help to develop your child’s fine motor skills. In order to dust the furniture properly, they will need to use a light touch and make small, precise movements. As they learn to Dust correctly, they will also be building up their concentration and coordination.

In addition, dusting the furniture is a great way for your child to Burn some energy and expend some of that boundless 3 year old energy!

Young beautiful toddler playing with cutlery and food toys on the table at kindergaten

Ask Them To Set The Table With You

If you’re looking for age-appropriate chores for a 3-year-old, setting and clearing the table is a great option. Not only is it a helpful chore, but it’s also a great way for your child to learn about independence and responsibility. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for quality family time.

To get started, simply ask your child to help you set the table. This can include putting out plates, silverware, and napkins. Then, once the meal is over, ask your child to help you clear the table. This can involve taking dishes to the sink, wiping down the table, and putting away any leftover food.

By involving your child in these everyday tasks, you’ll help them develop essential life skills while also spending some quality time together.

A young kid using a washcloth and liquid at home. Disgruntled girl mopping the apartment floor, doing housework, playing, front view in the laundry room - concept of child and adolescent development.

Ask Them To Wipe The Front Of Appliances

When it comes to age-appropriate chores for three-year-olds, you’ll want to focus on tasks that are safe and easy to complete. For example, wiping down the front of appliances is a great way to get them started on helping with cleaning duties around the house.

Not only is it a simple task that they can easily understand, but it also allows them to feel like they are contributing to the family in a meaningful way. As they get a little older, you can gradually increase the difficulty of the chores you assign to them.

But for now, focus on giving them tasks that they can handle without too much difficulty. That way, they can build confidence in their abilities and develop a sense of pride in their work.

little boy tried to get dressed on own

Ask Them To Get Dressed And Undress On Their Own

When it comes to age-appropriate chores for three-year-olds, dressing and undressing are a good place to start. Help them to choose their clothes for the day, their masks (if needed) and then give them a little time to get dressed on their own.

If they need help with buttons or zippers, offer assistance, but let them do as much as they can on their own. Undressing is a bit simpler, but you can still encourage your child to take care of their clothes by hanging them up or putting them away in a drawer.

With some practice, your child will be getting dressed and undressed on their own very soon.

Household chores for children. Kids cleaning their room, sorting dry socks and arranging them into personal baskets with fun, they turn cleaning into the game. Everyday routine, lifestyle

Ask Them To Fold & Put Away Their Clothes

When looking for age-appropriate chores for kids, the best rule of thumb is to keep it simple. Look for tasks that are easy to understand and do not require too much coordination or strength.

For example, folding small items such as washcloths, rags, and clothing is a perfect chore for most 3-year-olds. It helps them to develop fine motor skills and teaches them the importance of taking care of their belongings.

child washes dishes, help in the kitchen, new experience getting skills, selective focus on the elbow

Perks Of Engaging Getting Your Children To Help With Household Tasks

Many parents choose to have their children do chores as a way to pitch in around the house and teach responsibility. But did you know that there are actually many developmental benefits to having children do chores?

For instance, doing chores can help children to develop a sense of competence. When they see that they are able to complete tasks and contribute to the family, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Additionally, doing chores can promote cooperation and teamwork. As children work together to complete tasks, they learn how to communicate, compromise, and work towards a common goal.

Also, doing chores can also help children develop a sense of self-reliance. As they learn to take care of themselves and their belongings, they build confidence in their abilities. So next time you assign your child a chore, keep in mind that you are helping them to grow in more ways than one!

How To Get Your Kids Started On Doing Chores?

Getting younger kids started on doing chores around the house is a great way to teach them responsibility and the importance of helping out. But, getting kids to do chores can be a bit of a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

-Start small. Don’t overwhelm your kids with a long list of chores. Instead, focus on one or two simple tasks that they can easily accomplish. You can gradually add more chores to their plate as they age.

-Make it fun. Chores don’t have to be all work and no play. Find ways to make the tasks more enjoyable for your kids. For instance, you could turn doing the laundry into a game of seeing who can sort the clothes the fastest.

-Give rewards. A little incentive can go a long way in getting kids to do chores. Whether it’s a gold star on their chore chart or some extra allowance, offering rewards will help to motivate them.

With a little patience and creativity, you’ll have your kids doing chores in no time!

Things To Avoid

Here are some of the things that dad’s here think you should avoid at all cost when trying to get your kids to work.

Young african mom received on Mothers Day gift box and pretty spring bouquet flowers feels happy and grateful. Little toddler son boy congratulate loving mommy with birthday express love and attention

Avoid Perfectionism

When it comes to getting kids to help around the house, it’s important to set realistic expectations. If you’re looking for perfection, you’re likely to be disappointed. Kids are still learning, and they’re bound to make mistakes.

But if you’re willing to accept a little messiness, you’ll find that kids are capable of doing some pretty amazing things. For instance, my three-year-old can already load the dishwasher and put away her own clothes.

It might not always be done perfectly, but it’s a huge help. And as she gets older, she’ll only get better at it. So if you’re looking to get your kids to do more around the house, relax your standards a bit and see what they’re capable of. You might be surprised at what they can do.

Little girl showing thumb up at pediatrician appointment. Quality medical care for children concept

Acknowledge Their Efforts

When it comes to getting kids to do chores, praise is a powerful tool. For little kids in particular, hearing words of encouragement can be incredibly motivating. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should offer false praise or empty compliments.

Instead, focus on praising your child’s efforts rather than the end result. For example, you might say, “Great job sweeping the floor!” or “I can tell you worked really hard on that.” Doing this will help your child develop a strong work ethic and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

Cute smiling toddler boy tidying up his room and picking toys in bag.

Don't Be Vague, Be Specific

Always be specific with your instructions. For example, instead of saying, “it’s time to pick up your toys,” try “please put all the LEGOs in the bin and put the stuffed animals on your bed.” Breaking down the task into smaller steps will make it seem less daunting and help your child to stay focused.

You can also offer encouragement along the way, praising your child for a job well done when they finish. With some patience and effort, you can help your child develop important life skills by teaching them how to complete chores around the house.

The Bottom Line

Although it may seem like a lot of work, setting your child up with a good routine, including regular chores, is one of the best things you can do for their development.

Not only will they learn important life skills, but they’ll also develop a sense of responsibility and independence that will benefit them for years to come. So what are you waiting for? Get started on creating a chore chart today!

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