TIDY / Checklists
Household Tasks to Try with Children
Work at your own pace. Tick off what you finish and leave the rest for another session.
Date: ____________________
01 Ages 1–3: helping together
- Help a child put a few toys and books away
- Wipe a small water spill together using a plain cloth
- Match clean socks together
- Help a child pull up a light blanket
- Put away a few light, unbreakable grocery items together
- Dust a low surface together with a dry cloth
- Help a child water a suitable plant
02 Ages 4–5: small shared tasks
- Practice sweeping a small area
- Set out and collect light, unbreakable tableware together
- Help with napkins and other safe mealtime items
- Dust low shelves with a plain cloth
- Wipe a low surface with a damp cloth and no cleaner
- Water a plant together as needed
- Practice folding socks and T-shirts
- Fold and put away small towels together
- Sweep a safe part of the porch together
03 Ages 6–11: growing independence
- Show how to vacuum a small area and supervise
- Sort clean paper and safe recyclable packaging
- Wipe a table with a plain damp cloth
- Wash and dry unbreakable dishes together
- Help with a pet’s food or water under adult guidance
- Show how to vacuum a cushion and supervise
- Load safe, unbreakable dishes together; adults handle knives and detergent
- Sort a school backpack or bookshelf together
- Collect a small pile of leaves with a suitable rake
04 Ages 12–18: building household skills
- Choose a manageable area to vacuum or mop together
- Clean an easily reached mirror with adult guidance
- Prepare simple food together and clean up afterward
- Practice laundry with an adult handling products as needed
- Organize a study area
- Choose a small category to declutter together
- Plan a bedroom routine together
- Tidy the bathroom while an adult handles cleaning products
- Help remove and sort food while an adult cleans the refrigerator
- Rake leaves in a safe area
- Wipe a bicycle or suitable outdoor equipment
- Help plant flowers or pull identified weeds with guidance