At 9 years old, children are becoming more capable and ready to take on a wider range of household chores. Assigning them tasks helps build responsibility, independence, and practical life skills.
Discover age-appropriate chores for 9-year-olds that encourage responsibility and skill development. You’ll learn price per chore guidelines and how to manage household chores.
Chores For 9 Year Olds by Category
Simple Chores
- Making their bed
- Putting away toys
- Watering plants
- Dusting/sweeping
- Loading/unloading dishwasher
Intermediate Chores
- Setting the table
- Helping with meal prep
- Taking out the trash
- Washing/drying dishes
- Clearing table after meals
- Cleaning windows
- Gardening
Advanced Chores
- Washing dishes
- Raking leaves
- Organizing their closet
- Vacuuming
- Washing the family car
Here are some additional chores that are suitable for 9-year-olds:
Household Chores
- Cleaning Bathrooms: Wiping down counters, sinks, and mirrors; cleaning the toilet with supervision.
- Sweeping and Mopping Floors: Taking responsibility for keeping floors clean in common areas.
- Changing Bed Linens: Stripping and remaking their bed, as well as helping with linens in other bedrooms.
- Organizing Common Areas: Tidying up living rooms or family rooms by arranging pillows, folding blankets, and organizing items.
- Taking Care of Pets: More complex pet care tasks, such as walking a dog, brushing the pet, or cleaning a litter box with supervision.
Outdoor Chores
- Weeding the Garden: Pulling weeds from garden beds or helping with light yard work.
- Watering the Lawn: Using a hose or sprinkler to water the lawn under supervision.
- Raking Leaves: Collecting leaves into piles and helping to bag them.
- Washing Outdoor Furniture: Cleaning patio furniture with a hose and cloth.
Cooking and Kitchen Chores
- Preparing Simple Meals: Making breakfast items like cereal, toast, or sandwiches.
- Baking Assistance: Helping with baking tasks, such as measuring ingredients, stirring, or decorating baked goods.
- Emptying the Dishwasher: Fully emptying and putting away all items from the dishwasher.
- Making Grocery Lists: Helping to check what items are needed at home and adding them to a grocery list.
- Cleaning the Refrigerator: Helping to clean shelves, drawers, and organizing items in the fridge.
Personal Care and Organization
- Maintaining School Supplies: Organizing their desk or study area, ensuring school supplies are stocked and orderly.
- Planning Weekly Outfits: Choosing and laying out clothes for the week ahead.
- Time Management: Keeping track of their schedule, including school assignments and extracurricular activities.
Caring for Siblings
- Supervising Playtime: Watching younger siblings during short periods while parents are nearby.
- Helping with Homework: Assisting younger siblings with their homework or reading to them.
These chores not only help 9-year-olds contribute to the household but also foster independence, responsibility, and essential life skills.
How Much Should a 9 year-old get paid for chores?
It’s important to balance fair compensation with the learning value of the chores. Here’s a suggested price per chore type for 9 year olds:
| Chore Type | Suggested Payment |
|---|---|
| Simple Chores | $1 per task |
| Intermediate Chores | $2 – $3 per task |
| Advanced Chores | $3 – $5 per task |
Are You Paying Your Kids the Right Amount for Chores? We have an amazing guide where you’ll discover what each individual chore is worth.
Best Chores To Do For Money for 9 Year Olds
Some chores are especially suitable for earning a little extra money. Here are the best chores for 9-year-olds to earn money:
- Helping with yard work: Tasks like raking leaves or weeding can be done for neighbors or family.
- Washing windows: A relatively easy chore that can earn a little extra.
- Pet sitting: A simple way to earn money while learning responsibility.
How to Manage Chores with Hire and Fire your Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide
Managing chores can be seamless with the Hire and Fire Your Kids app where your kids can learn through play. Here’s how to get started:
- Download and Set Up the App: Download the app and create profiles for each child.
- Assign Chores: Use the app to assign age-appropriate chores and set deadlines. Or, your kids can “apply for jobs” and assign themselves.
- Track Progress: Monitor their progress through the app and provide feedback. Give out warnings or recognition as needed.
- Incentivize with Rewards: Set up and customize a reward system that motivates your child to complete chores on time. Use KidsKash to pay them out for the money they earn with their chores.
- Review and Adjust: Regularly review chore assignments and adjust based on your child’s growth and performance.
Benefits of Chores for 9 Year Olds
Chores at this age help children learn personal responsibility, develop time management skills, and build confidence by contributing to the household.
Incorporating chores into the daily routine of a 9-year-old can offer several important benefits. Here are some key advantages:
1. Development of Responsibility
- Understanding Accountability: Regular chores, and setting clear expectations, help 9-year-olds learn the importance of being responsible for specific tasks, fostering a sense of accountability.
- Building Independence: By completing chores on their own, children develop independence and confidence in their abilities.
2. Skill Development
- Time Management: Learning to balance chores with schoolwork and play teaches time management skills.
- Basic Life Skills: Chores such as cleaning, organizing, and helping with meal preparation introduce children to essential life skills they will use throughout their lives and prepare them for adulthood.
3. Teamwork and Cooperation
- Family Contribution: Chores provide a way for children to contribute to the family unit, teaching them the value of teamwork and cooperation.
- Collaboration Skills: Working with siblings or parents on chores enhances their ability to collaborate effectively with others.
4. Work Ethic
- Understanding Effort: Completing chores regularly helps children understand the relationship between effort and results, instilling a strong work ethic.
- Persistence: Chores teach children to stick with a task until it is completed, building perseverance.
5. Self-Esteem and Confidence
- Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully completing chores gives children a sense of accomplishment, boosting their self-esteem.
- Confidence Building: As they master new tasks, their confidence in their abilities grows.
6. Value of Money
- Understanding Finances: If chores are tied to an allowance, children learn financial concepts, the value of money and the basics of earning and saving. It teaches financial literacy, too.
7. Healthy Habits
- Routine Building: Regular chores help establish good habits and routines, which are crucial for building discipline and healthy lifestyle promotion.
- Organizational Skills: Keeping their space clean and organized through chores can improve a child’s organizational skills.
8. Appreciation for Work
- Respect for Labor: By participating in chores, children gain a greater appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining a household and sharing household responsibilities.
- Gratitude: Understanding the effort required to complete daily chores can lead to greater gratitude for the things they have.
9. Moral and Ethical Development
- Understanding Fairness: Sharing chores among family members teaches children about fairness and equality. It also encourages family bonding.
- Empathy: Recognizing that their contributions help ease the workload for others fosters empathy and consideration.
How to Motivate 9 Year Olds to Do Chores
- Gamification Strategies: Make chores fun with the Hire and Fire Your Kids app, turning tasks into an engaging game kids WANT to play.
- Rewards and Consequences: Establish a system of rewards for completed chores and consequences for missed ones, managed easily through the app.
Expert Tips and Safety Considerations
- Safety First: Supervise tasks involving sharp objects or cleaning chemicals. You can also use this as an opportunity to teach your kid essential safety skills.
- Parental Involvement: Guide your child in completing more complex chores and gradually allow more independence to prepare them for that eventual real-world readiness they’ll need as they grow older.
9 Year Old Chore FAQs
- How many chores should a 9 year old have?
A 9-year-old should have 2-3 regular chores, with flexibility based on their schedule. - What are some fun ways to get a 9 year old to do chores?
Make it a game, use the Hire and Fire Your Kids app, and offer small incentives for completion. - How can I help my 9 year old stay consistent with chores?
Create a routine, use reminders, and provide positive reinforcement for consistency. - Is it safe for a 9 year old to help with meal prep?
Yes, with supervision and age-appropriate tasks. - How do chores help a 9 year old develop life skills?
Chores teach responsibility, time management, and basic skills like cleaning and organization.
Related Articles/Resources
Resource Guides
- Allowance Chore Chart Ideas for 9 Year Olds
- Setting Up a Chores For Money Chart
Read These Articles
- Chore Allowance by Age: The Definitive Breakdown for Parents
- Chore Pay Scale: The Insider’s Guide to Fair Payment for Kids’ Chores
Next Steps
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Download the Hire and Fire Your Kids app today and see how fun chores can be!
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