There are lots of different perspectives on allowances and paying kids for chores. I’m not here to change anyone’s mind; just to share what has worked for us. We don’t pay our kids an allowance, instead our view is more focused on learning how real life works.  If you want extra money you can earn it!

We don’t pay them for every chore, there are some that are required tasks assigned to each kid just because they are part of the family and we all pitch in to keep the household running. Here are the assigned chores our kids do “just because mama said so”:

• Empty and load the dishwasher
• Wash dishes (that don’t go in the dishwasher)
• Set and clear the table
• Make their beds and keep rooms clean
• Wash their own laundry, fold and put away (ages 6+)
• Clean bathrooms
• Tidy up living areas
• Gather Chicken Eggs
• Feed the Cats, Dogs and Bunny

There are other chores beyond these that I don’t mind paying for because I don’t like doing them or because it truly does help me out as their mom! Their ability to do this will depend on their age, so you’ll have to decide which of these your kids can do well (with initial help and training) and deserve to earn something for it.

9 Chores Kids Can Do to Earn Money

The chores I pay for are not vital to the everyday running of the home, but are nice for them to be done. These are the kinds of things you might actually pay someone else to do if you felt so inclined.

“Babysit” younger siblings

I have paid my older girls to babysit their younger sisters while I’m home and in another room. It is usually when I need to be able to do something without interruption, and I talk with them about how babysitting means you are actively watching and interacting with them, not being in a room reading and not paying attention!

Work in the yard

Yard work doesn’t feel quite as urgent as indoor tasks, so I’m happy to pay my kids to do certain outside tasks. Especially in the summer, it’s nice to let them be out in the heat instead of me! Some tasks that I will pay them to do outside include pulling weeds, raking leaves, and picking up sticks or pinecones so that my husband can mow the grass. What to pay: You may choose to pay per stick or for the amount of time they spend working. I tend to pay for every 30 minutes they spend in the yard working.  We’ve also done 1¢ per piece of trash or other items.  They learned the basic tenet of capitalism quickly… the harder you work the more money you can make! Read More→