Kids + Chores in the same sentence makes me BURST with excitement…
Farm chores for kids. Homestead Chores for kids. WHEW! That’s two sentences and that makes my skirt fly up, baby! Rocks my socks off too.
That means less for me to do! The end.
Totally kidding. It does “lessen the load” for Mountain Man and I, but it also teaches our kids many things like: responsibility, time management, useful skills, pride, and many other valuable lessons.
We do not pay our kids for chores. Chores are an expectation and part of being in our family. We all must work together for a common goal and our common goal is our farm/homesteading. Our chores are also done together on the farm/homestead so it promotes family time- at least that’s what I tell myself. 
Farm Chores for Kids – By Age
Toddlers (with assistance)
– Fill up feeders (pour scoops in, carry small amounts of hay)
– Fill up waterers
– Gather eggs
– Brush Animals
– Harvest from the garden
Ages 4-5
Everything toddlers do, plus:
– Help plant the garden
– Let out the animals in the morning
– Start teaching kiddos how to care for small livestock
– Take out the compost
– Hand you clothespins to hang the laundry
– Assist in making weekly foods (breads, tortillas, fermented foods)
– Assist in helping set-up for chicks (click HERE to read chicken supplies for baby chicks)
Ages 6-9
Everything above, plus:
– Learn proper procedures to milk animals
– Candle hatching eggs
– Rake leaves
– Weed the garden (they helped us weed this!)
– Hang the laundry
– Assist in preparing for small livestock to arrive on the farm (click HERE to prepare for goats)
Ages 10-12
Everything above, plus:
– Milk animals
– Assist in giving animals baths
– Learn to trim hooves of smaller farm animals
– Help give medications/wormers to animals
– Assit with the business side of the farm
Ages 13+
Everything above, plus:
– Move animals to new pasture
– Move chicken tractors
– Trim hooves of all animals
– Bathe animals
– Operate Machinery including (tractors, lawn mowers, tillers, etc)
– Assist in births of farm animals
– Help manage the business of the farm
***Please note: Hey folks. This is just a guideline. Obviously some kids can do more in each age category and some kids won’t be able to everything in their age category. It depends on each kiddo. Every kid is different. You know your kiddo and you know what’s best!
Standard Legal Disclosure: In order to support my blogging activities I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I really appreciate y’alls support! Please know that I will only recommend products that I USE, LOVE, or REALLY HAVE A HANKERING FOR.
I love working with my kids on the homestead. We’ve always told our boys that if they want to be able to eat as much as they are going to need to when they are teenagers, they better start making food grow, because we won’t be able to afford it. Ha! They all love working in the garden and caring for the animals too. It’s such a lovely life.
Love this! I think even if it ends up taking a little bit more time to do things, having the kids help is a great way to get them really invested in their life/home. That’s invaluable!
You do pay your children but in knowledge rather than money. That is a lot more valuable than money could ever be.