Montessori Chores for Kids by Age

Montessori Chores for kids by age can help introduce your little ones to chores. As we’ve been talking about not all kids like chores, some handle chores in different ways, just like learning. I think the best thing to do is make chores fun and easy for the child to do. If you aren’t doing it by their age it may be a little hard for them to accomplish and that will only frustrate them.

What is Montessori?

Montessori is a form of learning/education for younger kids. This style of learning is more of a natural one. They aren’t being forced to learn strictly through books and tests, but instead using play as a way to introduce them.  Follow the child’s interests and curiosity.

Montessori Chore Ideas by Age

First, most that use Montessori learning do not give rewards or punishments. Kids are always eager to learn, so in a way, we teach them how fun chores are. Teach them practical life skills by using them in play. Montessori chores are age-appropriate chores that kids can do. Keep in mind that the chores grow with the child, this helps prepare them for the future, giving them life skills they can always use. 

Chores for 1-year-old

Keep in mind if you start your child young with chores it’ll become a daily process and they’ll automatically do them. Make Montessori chores fun and they may just look forward to them. Don’t make this complicated, simple is best. Remember you are slowly going to introduce chores to your kids.

1. Pick up toys– Every morning have them pick up any toys on their floor and show them where they go. Do this once again at bedtime.  This will show them that before leaving their room they have to clean it.
2.  Sweep the floors– I would suggest purchasing a broom and dustpan that is perfect for their age. A regular broom/dustpan is too big for them to move around. They may just break something trying to do the floor. Plus, they’ll have more pride in having one of their own.
3. Clean Up spills– The only way to get them to learn responsibility is to teach them to clean any spills or messes that they make. If they spill milk hand them cloth or a paper towel to clean up the spill.
4. Water the plants– Get him/her a little watering plant and teach them to lightly water the plants so they don’t die. Just like them, the plants need a little drink.
5. Put water in pet bowls– While I’d never advised having a little one give a pet dog/cat food they can get mom/dad the bag or even the can of food. They can also pour water into the bowl. This is the perfect time to teach them never to be next to an animal while they are eating or drinking.
6. Help with laundry– This could be as simple as making them put their dirty clothes in the hamper after taking a bath. Helping mom/dad put the laundry into the washer (front-facing) or helping put clothes up.
7. vacuum the living room– Kids love to imitate. Get them their own vacuum and push it around the living room floor or bedroom. Or let them push yours if it isn’t too heavy for them, this can also help them if they are afraid of the loud noise a vacuum makes.

Montessori Toys for Chores

Yes, there are even toys for Montessori chores for kids! When mine were younger they would get so excited when they saw my toys in the stores. They wanted brooms, vacuums their sizes too. I’ll never forget my little man following me around the house with his own little red dirt devil just like mine. He loved to vacuum because it was identical to my own and he felt like he was helping.

• mop
• broom
• duster
• cloth
• bucket
• vacuum

The Montessori Chore Bucket Approach

Get a basket or a bucket (I prefer the bucket) of their favorite color to keep all their cleaning tools for their chores in. Have a small dustpan, dishrag, dusting cloth, spray bottle, water can place inside. Don’t forget the small broom and mop. Every time your child pulls out or sees their chore bucket in the hall they will know it is time to clean. This also helps them keep everything organized and in their own place. Don’t forget to save a spot under the sink or in the closet where you keep all your cleaning supplies.

Elementary School Age Chores

Chores for 5-year-old children are able to do all the Montessori chores above plus a few more now that they won’t break things.

1. Wash and dry dishes- This is the perfect age to begin teaching them how to wash and dry dishes. I would definitely recommend standing nearby to ensure glasses or sharp items don’t get touched. I started mine off with nonbreakable cups, plates, pots, pans, spoons, and forks.
2. Dusting– Get them a dust rag (old clean sock) or a dust wand and begin teaching them how to dust things off.
3. Clean Dining Room Table & End Tables– Give them a rag to wash off all the tables in the house. Make sure to instruct that they wipe it down before meals and after all the dishes have left the table.
4. Set the Table– Have your child bring out the dishes and silverware
5. Laundry– They know how to put the clothes in a hamper, now it is time to teach them to separate the lights from the darks.
6. Feed the pets– They’ve learned how to give the pet’s water, now it is time to have them give them to feed before they come in. Teach them never to touch the pets while eating as they can bite.

Montessori Chores for Teens

Chores for 13 and older are great. Yes, you will probably get a lot of “Do I have to do them?” Ignore that. Get your teenagers to do their chores because it will teach them how to do everything they need when they become adults. Stop making everything so simple for them that they don’t know how to do it when they are adults themselves. The fairy doesn’t show up at their house to do it when they sleep!

1.  Dishes– Now they have hit the age where they can be expected to really wash, dry, and put away dishes.
2. Laundry– They’ve perfected the art of putting the laundry in the baskets but now it is time to teach them how to actually do an entire load. Begin by teaching them what goes in a hot wash and what goes in a cold wash. Don’t forget they can now fold and put away their own laundry.
3. Feed the pets & Change the litter– They’ve already been feeding and changing the pets’ water dish now it is time to teach them to take out the litter or scoop the dog poop.
4. Take out the trash– Due to the heaviness that trash can be you may want to wait until those preteen and teen years to have them take the trash to the bigger trash can. Don’t forget to teach them what day the trash gets picked up so they can take it out to the street.
5. Bathroom– Teenagers can put gloves on and scrub toilets, sweep and mop the floors and clean the sink.
6. Make a meal- Give them a certain day or days of the week to make meals.

Allowance for Kids Approach (Reward system)

Not everyone likes this idea of kids doing Montessori chores and getting rewarded. But if nothing else is working surely an allowance or some other reward system will work with your child. You can do this weekly, monthly, or even by chore task. It doesn’t have to be money you give your child, it can be stickers, a toy, free television time, etc.

A good allowance can be giving them a dollar per age per week. A 1-year-old isn’t going to need any money but they’ll love the idea. A 10-year-old is going to love getting $10 a week for their chores. Keep in mind you can always take a portion if they are not doing their chores. Forbes suggests if they don’t do their job they don’t get paid for that week.

Chores for kids don’t need to be so structured, you can make this fun for them. If you do decide to reward your children with an allowance system keep in mind this is the perfect opportunity to teach your child money skills. First, you are teaching them to do a job they should get paid. Second, now they can learn to save, pay for things they want/need, and tithe.

Montessori Chore Jar with Sticks

By now you know I love doing things with mason jars. Pull out an empty jar and make a Montessori chores jar for your kids. Use a sharpie to write the words on popsicle sticks and stick them in a jar. Have your kids pull a stick out

What fun ways do you get your kids to do their chores? Do you use a Montessori chore checklist? Chore tools or chore printables?