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Chore list by ageAge-appropriate chores for kids, by age
Most kids can start helping at home from preschool age with one-step jobs like putting toys away, and take on bigger jobs every year or two after that. The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) says young children are naturally eager helpers. Below: what to hand over at each age from 3 to 14, and how much help to expect.
What chores can kids do at each age?
Pick your child's age band below. The jobs build on each other: a ten-year-old can still do everything on the earlier rows. The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) lists age-appropriate chores in the same way, each stage adding to the one before, and we split those same ideas into the finer bands here. Ages are a guide. A careful, independent six-year-old may be ready for the next row, and a child who finds a task hard is not behind.
| Age | Good chores to start with | How much help |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 | Put toys in a bin. Put dirty clothes in the hamper. Carry a plastic plate to the counter. Wipe a spill with a cloth. Help fill the pet's food dish with a scoop. | A grown-up does it with them, step by step. One job at a time. |
| 5 to 6 | Make the bed (a straightened bed counts). Set and clear the table. Feed the pet. Water plants. Sort laundry by color. Bring in the mail. | Shown once, then reminded. Still checked after. |
| 7 to 9 | Empty wastebaskets. Sweep a floor. Dust. Pack their own school lunch. Put away their own laundry. Help put groceries away. | Knows the routine; needs a visible chart and the occasional nudge. |
| 10 to 12 | Vacuum. Help make dinner. Make their own snacks. Walk the dog. Unload the dishwasher. Take out trash and recycling. Rake leaves or weed. | Can own a whole job. Check results, not every step. |
| 13 to 14 | Clean the kitchen after a meal. Change bed sheets. Do and fold their own laundry. Clean the bathroom. Wash the car. Cook a simple meal. Watch a younger sibling while an adult is home. | Works on their own. Agree on standards up front and review weekly. |
How many chores should a child have?
Start small. The AAP advises that with a school-age child who has not had responsibilities before, you introduce one new task at a time, because a long list can be overwhelming. A workable plan is two or three daily jobs, then one more every couple of weeks once the first ones stick. Fewer chores done every day teach more than a long chart that is abandoned by Thursday.
Should kids get paid for chores?
Families split on this, and there is no single right answer. A common approach is to treat daily basics (making a bed, clearing your plate) as part of living in the house, and to pay for bigger or extra jobs. The AAP says tangible rewards such as allowances and stickers can be tied to completed chores, and that praise for effort is more effective than scolding. To work out amounts, see how much allowance by age or use the allowance calculator.
How do I get my kids to do their chores?
The AAP's advice is practical and consistent. Spell out exactly what is expected each day and week. Post a chart or checklist where the child can see it. Pick the same time each day so it becomes routine. Praise the effort, not the outcome, and do not expect perfection while a skill is still being learned. If a child still does not do their chores, calmly use consequences such as taking away a privilege, rather than badgering. The AAP also reminds parents that electronic devices are privileges, not rights.
A visible chart does a lot of the work. You can print a weekly chore chart, or a picture chore chart for a child who cannot read yet.
Do teenagers still need chores?
Yes. The AAP guidance on chores for teens says chores keep contributing to the household and teach life skills, and that after 16, a part-time job is not a reason to stop helping at home. Its examples include vacuuming shared spaces, cleaning the kitchen after meals, washing the car, and caring for pets or younger siblings.
Chore ideas for specific ages
Two ages get the most searches from parents, and each has its own page with a teaching plan: chores for 5-year-olds and chores for 10-year-olds.
Common questions
What chores can a 4-year-old do?
Simple one-step jobs done with a grown-up nearby: putting toys in a bin, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, carrying a plastic plate to the counter, and wiping a spill with a cloth. Expect to do the job together at first.
At what age should kids start doing chores?
The AAP says most preschool-age children can start pitching in with simple household tasks, and that young children are naturally eager helpers. There is no set age; start when they show interest.
How many chores should a child have?
Fewer than you think. Start with two or three a day, add one new task at a time, and add more only when the first ones happen without reminders.
Should kids be paid for chores?
It is a family choice. Many parents keep the basics of living in the house unpaid and pay for extra jobs. The AAP notes that tangible rewards such as allowances and stickers can be tied to completed chores.