What kind "chores" can a 5 year old and 7 year old do?

Question

My husband and I want to set up a type of reward system for his girls so they can start to learn responsibility. The problem is we only have them on a limited basis because they live with their mom. The main reason for doing this is that the girls love to "win" special treats. I thought if we set up some kind of "chores" game where they could earn points toward special outings (like a shopping trip to the scrapbook store for example) they could have fun and gain a sense of confidence.

So far, we have things like
"Practice reading a story with Dad"
"Complete a page in your math workbook",
"Read a story outloud to your brothers"
"Place your dinner dishes in the sink"

Anyone have any other ideas. We want to keep it fun and things they can do with little help so they can maintain a sense of accomplishment.

They do not have beds at our house since they do not spend the night.....My husband works nights and weekends so their mom wont let them...... And we have no pets.

Perhaps "chores" isnt a good word. We just want things they can do, "chore" or "fun", to get rewarded. They dont get a lot of structure at home.

Answer 1

I can see why your having a problem coming up with ideas, it is hard when the time you have is limited. You want to make it fun so it doesn't sound like preaching or slave labor!

There have been some really good ideas and the ones you have are helping the kids in more ways than one.

How about some of these:
1. Put the magazines/papers away.
2. Brush your hair and your teeth-after meals
3. Help bake something-mixing-adding ingredients
4. Dusting the furniture- it won't be real good, but they get better
5. Help plant flowers
6. Water the plants-get a small container their size
7. Give them a basket or bag and have them pick up everything in a room that doesn't belong in that room
8. Plant a tree they have to take care of and raise
9. Dry dishes- unbreakable ones
10. Fill the dishwasher or the sink
11. Put the clothes from the washer to the dryer
12. Vacuum the house
13. Get them a small broom so they can sweep the garage for daddy
14. Learn a new song they can teach you
15. learn to print a new word

Hope these help a little

Answer 2

My 5 year old makes her own lunches everynight for Kindergarten...she also picks out her clothes, so all will be ready for the morning. Her room is her responsibility even though I often assist. She helps fold the laundry....matching socks is not so bad. She places the piles on each person's bed or even puts them away. She feeds the cat. She helps clean the leaves up for fall. She passes me the dishes from the dishwasher so we can put them away together. She LOVES to sweep the floor. I even get her to scrub the tub while I clean the toilet or sink. How much fun is it to wash a car? She has a cloth and some type of cleaning spray in her hands and helps all the time. It may never be perfect but the time we spend sharing the tasks are so much more enjoyable. Peace

Answer 3

Have them do some things that may actually help you as well, but turn it into a game;

organize or clean out the fridge

windex the tv screens or windows in the house

fold the laundry game (match up socks, etc)

how many lines can you create in the carpet with the vacuum cleaner

who can dust one room in under 3 min

and so on and so on...these are all "chore" games more or less. Now, as for things similar to what you listed:

putting puzzles together

unscrambling words

play a game of your brothers choice with them

write a story with all of you as the characters

and so and so on.

Answer 4

Vacuuming is a good idea, maybe picking weeds in the garden or helping you with anything.

You could also buy learning books in a learning store, ones that have patterns or thinking puzzles, that would challenge them, and give rewards for those. Give extra points when they bring home good grades. Maybe also for watching segments of a learning video, like the DVD of the old School House Rock series.

Answer 5

My four and half year old knows to always pick up, sometimes helps with dishes (only if you can tolerate extra water on the floor like I can). I would not make reading a chore, its supposed to be fun. Vacuuming and dusting are things also they can handle, just don't make the job too big for the little one.

Answer 6

My 7 year-old loves to vacum and he gets the mail,picks up sticks and debris when I mow the grass.I reward him with a little $$$ I just recently opened a saving account for him. He"s earned over 100 dollars this year.I'm so proud of him,plus hes learning that you have to work to get paid

Answer 7

I have 5 year old twins, and they love to help. Setting the table is one of their favorites. They also go around the house collecting the garbage cans and bring them to me so I can dump it in the big bag. Remembering to put their toys away without being asked. Remembering to put their clothes in the laundry hamper instead of on the floor. Also, remembering to empty their lunch bags after school, and take out any notices from their teacher.

Answer 8

My 5yo feeds her pets, puts her clothes in the laundy hamper, helps set the table, helps with easy food chores (cracking eggs for baking, pouring the liquids), picking up toys, reading to an adult. It sounds like you have lot of good idea to pick from.

Answer 9

Children of this age can make up their bed, pick up the dirty clothes and take them to the utility room, they can help wash and dry dishes, they can fold clothes, they can take out scraps, dust the furniture, windex the mirrors and windows. There are many things this age child can do.

Answer 10

My son is 5 and wont do anything else but vacuum. He loves it. I dont make him do it . I do supervise. I am guessing it is because it is a grown up tool and they feel big using it. He likes making me happy and I compliment him all of the time. I let him help me. If u dont baby your children and let them accomplish one "big" thing, they will feel so much better and actually feel good about themselves and confident.