Running a farm takes a lot of work, and every set of hands is a huge help – even the tiniest hands can make a world of difference in the day’s workload. Sometimes farmers wonder what chores their children are able to handle.
While each child will differ a little in their abilities thanks to individual personalities, maturity levels, and size, there are some basic guidelines to help farming parents get their children involved at appropriate times. This helpful list was created with information found on The Easy Homestead and Our Simple Farm blogs.
Under Age 4
- follow adults or older siblings around and watch
- Gather eggs or brush animals with assistance
- Harvest produce and pull weeds from the family garden with assistance
- Milk goats (NOT cows) with assistance and supervision
Ages 5 to 7
- Assist in planting the family garden
- Help let the animals out to pasture in the morning
- Feed and water household pets alone (dogs, cats)
- Clean litter boxes (if applicable)
- Take out the compost
- Gather eggs without assistance
- Feed and water small livestock with assistance (chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, etc.)
- Begin learning how to help harvest field produce
- Start learning how to muck stalls and clean coops
Ages 8 to 10
- Begin milking goats on their own
- Learn how to milk cattle with adult supervision
- Weed garden unassisted
- Plant their own section of garden
- Rake leaves
- Feed and water small livestock unassisted
Ages 11 to 13
- Milk cattle on their own
- Bathe all livestock with assistance
- Help with medications, including worming
- Start learning the business side of farming
- Loading and unloading hay
- Guide younger siblings in their chores
- Mow
Ages 14+
Once a farm child reaches the age of fourteen, they can assist in nearly everything on the farm. This includes learning how to use machinery responsibly and taking a more prominent role in the business side of farming.
For more information on family farm life contact us today. We have useful information which will help to keep your farm in the family for generations.
