As you go about the house, picking up toys, putting shoes on the shelf, sweeping and mopping the floor, you notice you have a little shadow following you about. Your little one is watching you as you tidy and sort the place, greatly intrigued by the many tasks you’re engaged in. After a while, they pick up a brush and start to copy you, sweeping tiny strokes across the floor. And this gets you thinking - Are there any activities my child can do around the house that will benefit both of us?

Before we take a look at a few different tasks they can get involved in, let’s clarify what we’re talking about when we mention daily activities.

What do we mean when we say daily activities?

When we refer to daily activities, we’re talking about the many tasks and chores that must be done around the home to make sure it’s comfortable and cosy for all. This includes cooking, cleaning, getting washed and dressed, walking the dog, and more.

Now that we’ve established what we’re talking about in regard to daily activities, why should you get your little one involved?

Why is it a good idea to have your toddler help around the house?

There are so many benefits to having your little one help, some of which we’ve listed below:

They learn to take responsibility for the state of the house/flat.

Collaboration creates connection.

They’ll enjoy feeling like they are contributing to the family.

These activities teach your child new skills and independence while boosting their confidence.

By talking through these chores and activities, there are plenty of opportunities for language development.

Similarly, these activities will help to improve a toddler’s fine motor skills.

So with all of this in mind, let’s take a look at a few different activities your child can help with around the home.

How can my toddler help around the house?

The following 10 activities should be fairly easy for your child to get a good grasp of, and enjoy doing:

Plant care

Watering the plants and dusting the leaves.

Food preparation and baking

Washing fruit and vegetables, beating eggs, pouring cereal from a small container, and milk into a bowl. Helping to add and stir ingredients.

Snack time

Helping themselves to fruit from a bowl and nuts from a container, and pouring themselves a glass of water.

Mealtimes

Setting the table and helping to dry the dishes.

Cleaning

Sweeping, dusting, and wiping surfaces.

Caring for pets

Feeding the pet and filling the water bowl or bottle.

Caring for themselves

Brushing their hair and washing hands.

Dressing themselves

Taking socks on and off, putting T-shirts on, and pulling trousers up and down.

Helping with laundry

Bringing dirty clothes to the washing basket and helping to sort through clean clothes.

Trips to the supermarket

Getting items from the lower shelves and helping to put things away at home.

We’ve also put together a few further tips for you to bear in mind:

When children are younger than 2 years old, avoid giving them activities that take more than 2 steps.

Focus on the process and not the result. Remember, your child is still learning these tasks, so things might take a little longer when they help out, nor will they look as tidy or neat as you would perhaps like.

Think of other ways your toddler can help you and adjust tasks to their level if need be.

How can my toddler help with daily activities?

Give your toddler some basic responsibilities that help their development and build their confidence.