By Priya Rajendran
As a mom in tech with a college-age daughter, I can tell you that getting kids to do chores can be one of the most challenging parts of family life – but also critical. Yet, as someone who’s developed a tech system for managing chores in our home, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be a battle. There are some very unique and creative ways to encourage kids to take on household tasks that are not only effective but also backed by research.
There’s a fascinating study from Harvard that tracked families over 85 years, finding a significant link between kids who did household chores and those who grew up to be high achievers. But despite this research, 72% of parents aren’t assigning chores to their kids. If you’re in this group of parents who are trying to get your kids involved, here are five expert-backed tips that have worked for me – and they might just work for you, too.
#1 Language Matters
The way you talk about chores has a direct impact on how your kids view them. The language you use can either make chores feel like a burden or something they’re really excited to tackle. One of the most important things I learned as a mom – and advice I give to others – is that it’s important to reframe how I talk about household tasks. Instead of saying “do your chores,” which can feel like an order, try saying, “let’s do our chores.” It’s a small shift but a powerful one.
When they do help, thank them for being a “helper,” not just for completing the task. The more you emphasize their role in the family’s well-being, the more they’ll see chores as an important contribution, not a chore.
#2 Don’t Give In
Another critical thing I’ve learned over the years is that consistency is key. The biggest challenge is not letting kids skip chores, especially when they have something more exciting planned. When my daughter was younger, I would hear “Can I skip this chore? I have a game to go to!” And while I always wanted to let her off the hook, I had to stay firm.
Research shows that when children are allowed to skip responsibilities, it sends the message that chores aren’t important.
#3 Focus on the Family
One mistake I made early on was assigning my daughter personal tasks, like cleaning her closet or organizing her room. While these tasks are important, they don’t create a sense of family unity. Over time, I realized that chores work best when they’re linked to the family as a whole. Tasks like cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming the living room, or even folding laundry as a team can make kids feel like they’re part of something bigger.
#4 Get Creative
Yes, I agree that chores can be boring, especially for kids. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Get creative with the tasks you assign. For example, gardening is an excellent chore for kids as young as seven, and it’s not only fun but beneficial for their health. Gardening promotes physical activity, teaches responsibility, and helps develop patience.
Research shows that kids who engage in outdoor, hands-on chores like gardening are more likely to develop a positive attitude toward nature, learn about healthy eating, and gain a deeper understanding of how food is grown. I
#5 Rebrand Chores to Make It Fun
As kids get older, they want to feel more independent and capable. One easy way is through gamifying chores for kids so that they look forward to doing them every day. You might find this in chore management apps that use rewards and points.
As a mom who’s both a tech professional and a chore expert (yes, that’s a thing), I’ve learned that there are ways to get kids excited about household tasks that benefit everyone. Not only do chores teach kids important life skills, but they also promote family cohesion, responsibility, and self-confidence.
I became so invested in optimizing chores for families in my own tech way that I created the system S’moresUp/It’s A Family Thing! The app has helped over 300,000 parents organize their families more efficiently, and it offers great ways to track chores, assign tasks, and even reward your kids for their hard work. The gamified element also rebrands chores as fun.
BIO:
Priya Rajendran is a Silicon Valley technologist with 20+ years of experience in product development and design at companies like PayPal and Ford. She is the co-founder of S’moresUp and It’s A Family Thing! a family management app used by over 300,000 parents. When she’s not building tech, she’s exploring ways to help families thrive in the digital age.
