Chores for 5-year-olds: 15 easy jobs and how to teach them

By Brad Norman, founder of Family Chore Buddy · Published October 17, 2026 · Updated October 17, 2026

Good chores for a 5-year-old are short, physical and one step: putting toys in a bin, dirty clothes in the hamper, setting out napkins, feeding a pet from a scoop. Do each one with them first. The American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) says to praise effort rather than outcome, and not to expect perfection while skills are still developing.

What are good chores for a 5-year-old?

The best chores for this age are short, physical and one step: the child can see the job start and finish. The list below uses jobs from the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) list of age-appropriate chores (make their own bed, set and clear the table, put toys away, put dirty clothes in a hamper, fill the pet's food dish, sort laundry, water flowers) plus a few practical ones that take the same skills.

15 chores for a 5-year-old, and how to teach each
Chore	How to teach it
Put toys in the bin	Show where each kind of toy goes. Start with one bin, not five. Sing a clean-up song if it helps.
Put dirty clothes in the hamper	Put the hamper where they undress. A hamper in the bathroom beats one in the hall.
Make the bed	Teach the pull-up: straighten the sheet, then pull the blanket up. A bumpy bed is fine; a duvet is easier than layered sheets.
Feed the pet	Use a scoop with a fill line so the amount is right. You open the bag, they pour into the dish.
Set the table	Start with napkins and spoons, not glasses. Draw a placemat with outlines of the plate and fork.
Clear their own plate	Plastic plate to the counter after every meal. Add the cup next week.
Water plants	Use a small watering can filled to a mark. Pick one plant that survives overwatering.
Wipe a spill	Keep a cloth at their height. Teach: spill, cloth, wipe, cloth in the laundry.
Sort laundry by color	Two baskets: lights and darks. Make it a game with socks in pairs.
Bring in the mail	Short, safe and makes them feel trusted. Hand them the mail slot, you handle the rest.
Put shoes by the door	A mat or a labeled spot. Shoes, then coat on the hook.
Pack their backpack	Lay out a checklist with pictures: folder, water bottle, library book.
Dust low surfaces	A cloth or a sock over their hand. Pick shelves they can reach.
Match the clean socks	Dump the basket, find the pairs. Teaches matching and counting.
Help put groceries away	Hand them the cans and boxes that cannot break, and show which shelf.

How do I teach a 5-year-old a new chore?

Use three stages and spend about a week on each. First, I do, you watch: do the job while you say each step aloud. Second, we do it together: you do the hard part, they do the easy part. Third, you do it, I watch: stay nearby and say only what is going well. Then check it, praise the effort, and move on. Introduce one new chore at a time; the AAP warns that a long list overwhelms kids.

What does a simple daily routine look like?

Tie chores to moments that already happen, because kids this age live by routine. The AAP suggests doing chores at the same time each day. A sample:

Morning: get dressed, dirty pajamas in the hamper, make the bed, brush teeth.
After school: shoes by the door, backpack on its hook, put away lunch box.
Dinner: set the table before, clear their own plate after.
Before bed: toys in the bin, feed the pet if it is their job.

That is already more than most five-year-olds need. Pick two or three, and rotate the rest weekly.

Should a 5-year-old be paid for chores?

Usually not in money, at least not yet. Stars and stickers match this age better, and the AAP lists stickers among the tangible rewards that can be tied to completed chores. If you do start a small allowance, make it a few coins on a fixed day, so the child begins to connect earning with waiting and saving. The allowance by age chart has a gentler option, and a printable reward chart works for stars.

What chart works for a child who cannot read?

Use pictures. A picture chore chart lets your child choose icons like a bed, a toothbrush and a toy bin, then tick a box each day. If your child does read a little, the weekly chore chart has a Starter template for ages 4 to 7. See the full list at chores by age, or what comes next at chores for 10-year-olds.

Common questions

How many chores should a 5-year-old have?

Two to four short daily jobs is plenty. Pick ones that take a couple of minutes, and add a new one only when the first ones are happening reliably.

Should a 5-year-old get paid for chores?

Most five-year-olds are motivated by stickers, stars and praise more than by money. The AAP says stickers can be tied to completed chores. If you want to start a small allowance, keep the amount tiny and pay on the same day each week.

What if my 5-year-old can't read yet?

Use a chart with pictures. A printable picture chore chart shows each job as an icon, so the child can check it off without reading.

What if they do it badly?

Expect that. The AAP says not to expect perfection and to praise the effort, not the outcome. Fix it quietly later, or do the last step together.