Six Chores Your Toddler Can Do

Charlie is 18 months old now (when did THAT happen!?), and he really wants to be a helper with everything that myself or Daddy is doing.  Even though there are times when it would definitely be easier if Charlie were occupied with something else, we know that it is important to foster that sense of responsibility and willingness to help out with the household chores.  After all, I'm sure the day where he doesn't want to vacuum or pick up his toys will come soon enough, so I might as well relish the good attitude while I can, right?

Now, there are many child versions of things like vacuums, lawnmowers, brooms, etc., on the market, and Charlie enjoys using those when his father or I am using ours.  However, we like to make sure he can be an actual help around the house from time to time.  By including some of these toddler-friendly chores in our routine, Charlie feels accomplished, and is learning to do helpful things around the house independently.  Here are six chores that Charlie helps us do:


Sweeping
Charlie uses the Swiffer with one of these great crochet pads on it; and even though he may not hit every inch of the floor, he is certainly helping out with any dirt that he does pick up!

Washing Dishes
This is one of Charlie's favorite activities.  It does require me to be standing next to him since he needs to be on a chair, so I let him help when I'm doing dishes as well.  I give Charlie his {clean} cups, silverware, and plates and a rag and let him wash them; but he especially loves to pour water from one side of the sink to the other.

Helping with Pets
Taking care of family pets is a big responsibility, and Charlie loves to help out with these chores.  Charlie can feed his puppies and help put them outside.  He also loves to take care of his outside pets - our farm kitties and chickens and ducks.

 
Outdoor Chores
Raking, sweeping, shoveling snow, and gardening are all outside chores that Charlie loves to help tackle.  On a farm, there are chores for every season, and there is always something that Charlie can help with!

Cooking
Depending on what I'm cooking or baking, Charlie can't always be up next to me at the counter, but he can still feel like he's contributing to the meal!  I lay out a tablecloth on the kitchen floor and give him some utensils, bowls, muffin tins, and a box of small pasta (orzo is great), and he works very hard!

Laundry
This is a chore that Charlie has been helping me with for months now (as you can see by the very old picture of him!).  Now that he can better understand what I am doing, he can actually help by doing things like matching socks and putting each person's clothes in different piles (i.e. Daddy's clothes, Mommy's clothes, Charlie's clothes).

What are some other ways that you let your toddler help out around the house?  I'm anxious to hear of some other great ideas!