I agree. I was a free range kid and have a lot of good memories of going to the neighbors and just helping them on random projects. They would patiently teach m

I agree. I was a free range kid and have a lot of good memories of going to the neighbors and just helping them on random projects. They would patiently teach me things and let me help. Sometimes (in retrospect) I'm certain I wasn't actually helping, but they were kind and made me feel like I was. Other times I'm sure they got some free labor out of me, but that's OK too - I learned some good skills. My neighborhood has some free range kids and every time I'm out doing some garden work or house project, they ask if they can help. When it's not dangerous, I try and let them. Sometimes they certainly aren't helping, but everyone (me included) has fun with it, and they feel like useful people. One time I definitely had to completely redo a brick walkway after the kids got called home, but a few years later when that batch of kids were high schoolers I was sitting in the house and I heard them walk by with some other kids and heard them bragging about how they "helped the cool old dude build that sidewalk". Not exactly the same as chores - but I agree - kids like being and feeling useful.