Easy Chores Toddlers Can Do at Home

Here are some easy and fun chores your toddler can do around the house. These tasks will help them feel proud of their contributions while encouraging a sense of responsibility.

Putting toys away

• Help pick up and put toys back in their designated spots.

How to make it fun:

• Turn it into a game by seeing how quickly they can clean up
• Use baskets or bins that are clearly labelled with pictures to make it easier for them to know where each toy belongs.

Why it’s great: this simple chore teaches toddlers about organisation and the importance of keeping their space tidy.

Wiping surfaces

• With a damp cloth or child-friendly wipe, toddlers can help wipe down tables, chairs, or their play area.

How to make it fun:

• Let them “help” clean up after meals by wiping down their highchair or the table
• Pretend the wipe is a magic cleaning cloth that makes the mess disappear!

Why it’s great: this task teaches cleanliness and allows toddlers to feel like they’re part of the cleaning process.

Feeding pets

• Fill a pet’s food and water bowls (with supervision) or help scoop food for smaller pets like fish or hamsters.

How to make it fun:

• Turn it into a daily ritual or a “special job” just for them
• Encourage them to talk to the pet while feeding them, making it a bonding experience.

Why it’s great: taking care of a pet teaches toddlers responsibility and care for others. It also gives them a sense of purpose.

Sorting laundry

• Help sort laundry by colours, sizes, or types of clothes (e.g., socks, shirts, pants).

How to make it fun:

• Give them a small basket of clothes to sort and then let them hand over the sorted items to you or another family member
• Sing a sorting song while doing it to keep it fun!

Why it’s great: sorting laundry helps toddlers develop classification skills and teaches them about daily routines.

Watering plants

• With a small, child-friendly watering can, toddlers can water plants both inside and outside.

How to make it fun:

• Let them pick which plants to water and show them how the plants grow over time
• Create a “plant care schedule” and make it a regular part of their routine.

Why it’s great: this chore teaches toddlers about caring for living things, responsibility, and the importance of routines.

Setting the table

• Help set the table by placing plates, utensils, and cups.

How to make it fun:

• Give them fun tasks like putting napkins on the plates or arranging the silverware in a fun way
• Let them set the table for a pretend tea party to make it extra enjoyable!

Why it’s great: setting the table encourages independence, maths skills and is a simple task that helps toddlers learn about family meals and responsibility.

Putting clothes in the hamper

• Help put dirty clothes into the laundry basket or hamper.

How to make it fun:

• Turn it into a race to see how quickly they can get all their clothes in the basket
• Make it part of their bedtime routine by encouraging them to change and place their clothes in the hamper each night.

Why it’s great: this task helps toddlers learn about personal hygiene and the importance of keeping their clothes clean.

Helping with grocery shopping

• While grocery shopping, toddlers can help by putting items in the cart, passing you things from the shelves, or even placing them on the checkout counter.

How to make it fun:

• Give them small, light items to carry and help them recognize the different food items
• Let them “pay” for the groceries by handing over the money or card to the cashier.

Why it’s great: grocery shopping helps toddlers develop language and match skills  (by identifying and counting foods) and gives them a chance to practice responsibility by handling small tasks.

Why chores matter for toddlers

Getting toddlers involved in household chores isn’t just about making your life easier—it’s about helping them develop essential life skills that will serve them as they grow. These small tasks teach independence, build motor skills, and foster a sense of responsibility. Plus, they feel proud when they accomplish something, even if it’s just wiping down the table or sorting their socks!

Start small, keep it fun, and remember that toddlers may need a little encouragement and guidance at first. Over time, these chores will become a natural part of their routine, and you’ll see them grow into more independent little helpers!