ChoreWorth

Chore chart for 3 year olds

Three-year-olds want to do what you do, which makes this a good age to start. Keep it to two or three tiny jobs, a picture for each, and a sticker the moment it's done. Change the name and chores below, then print it or use it on a tablet.

Who it's for

Chores

Allowance FREE

Set an amount next to each chore. The chart shows what every check is worth and the most they can earn this week. Use the payday calculator to add up what they earned.

Days

Look

Reward goal PRO

Extras

Reminders NEW

Family sync NEW

Questions or ideas? Contact us

1Type their chores

Pick from common chores or write your own. Every chore gets a picture so kids who can't read yet can follow along.

2Pick a look

Sunny and Chalkboard are free. Pro adds Ocean, Space, Garden and an ink-saving black and white version.

3Print and stick it up

Print it for the fridge, or open Kid mode on a tablet or phone and let them tap chores off. Install ChoreWorth on the home screen to use it like an app.

10 chores a 3-year-old can do

  • Put toys back in the bin
  • Put dirty clothes in the hamper
  • Put books back on a low shelf
  • Carry their cup to the sink
  • Throw a diaper or wrapper in the trash
  • Wipe the table with a damp cloth
  • Help pour food into the pet's bowl
  • Put their shoes in the shoe basket
  • Hand you clothes from the dryer
  • Brush teeth, with you finishing the job

Teach a new chore in three steps

  • Show. Do the job slowly while they watch, and say what you're doing: "Blocks go in the blue bin."
  • Do it together. For the first week or two, you each put things away side by side.
  • Watch. Stay close and let them finish alone. Resist fixing it afterwards. A crooked stack of books is still a finished job.

What a chore chart looks like at 3

Two or three pictures in a row are enough. Hang the chart at their eye level, on the fridge door or by their bed, so they can point to what comes next. Let them put on the sticker or tap the star themselves, straight after the job. At this age the reward has to come right away to mean anything, so skip weekly prizes for now.

Chores to skip at 3

  • Anything with cleaning products, even "gentle" ones. Water and a cloth are enough.
  • Carrying plates, glasses or anything that breaks.
  • Jobs with more than one step, like "clean your room". Name one thing instead: "cars in the box".
  • Anything that needs to be done well. The goal this year is the habit.

Questions parents ask

Is 3 too young for chores? No. Most 3-year-olds can manage simple pick-up jobs with a parent nearby, and they usually enjoy being asked to help.

How many chores should a 3 year old have? Two or three a day is plenty. Each one should take a minute or two.

What if my 3 year old loses interest in the chart? That's normal after a few weeks. Swap one chore for a new one, change the chart's look, or let them pick the stickers. Keep the routine going even on days the chart gets ignored.

More charts: toddler chore chart, chore chart for 4 year olds, chores by age. Prefer a ready-made set? Printable packs are on our Etsy shop.

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