What Types of Chores Can I Ask My Child to Do?

I have to admit – in my house, getting my kids to pitch in and help with the chores used to be a big challenge. After getting tired of nagging and reminding them, I would just give up and do everything myself. Then for several weeks, we used a chore chart and it worked like a charm. Now I don’t need any more chore charts or nagging – it became part of the daily routine. The kids know what’s expected of them, and do it themselves. Phew!

Here’s some inspiration of what types of chores you can ask your kids to help with, by age:

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

Help make their bed
Pick up and put away toys after play time
Put their dirty laundry into laundry basket
Help clean up spills and messes
Fill water and food bowl for the family pet

Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)

Make their bed
Pick out clothes to wear
Get dressed with little or no help from the parent
Help parent sort laundry (e.g., match socks)
Set and clear the family dinner table
Help parent shop for groceries at the grocery store
Help parent prepare lunch or dinner
Clean up spills and messes without being asked
Be responsible for feeding the family pet

Kindergarten and 1st grade (Ages 6-7)

Make their bed every day
Brush teeth
Comb hair
Pick out clothes to wear
Get dressed independently
Clean their room with vacuum or wet mop
Sort and fold laundry (with supervision)
Put away dishes from the dishwasher
Empty indoor trash cans into outdoor trash cans
Be responsible for the family pet’s food, water and exercise

Elementary School (Ages 8-11)

Brush teeth, comb hair, take a shower or bath
Keep their room tidy and clean
Wake up using an alarm clock
Do homework with little or no supervision
Be responsible for packing backpack
Help pack lunch box for school
Wash and put away dishes
Learn to use the washer and dryer
Wash the family car (with supervision)
Prepare snacks and easy meals (e.g., sandwiches)
Sort and put away laundry (with supervision)
Take out the garbage on pick up date
Do light gardening and yard work (e.g., rake leaves)
Be responsible for the family pet’s food, water and exercise

Middle School (Ages 12-13)

Take care of personal hygiene, belongings and homework
Set their own alarm clock
Pack school backpack and lunch box
Maintain personal items, such as recharging batteries
Make up their own bed every day
Change bed sheets
Keep their room tidy and clean
Change light bulbs
Change the vacuum bag
Dust and vacuum all rooms
Clean bathrooms
Do and put away dishes
Take out the garbage on pick up date
Mow the lawn (with supervision)
Prepare an occasional family meal
Start earning spending money (e.g., by delivering newspapers or babysitting)

Junior High School (Ages 14-15)

Responsible for all personal and school chores for ages 12-13
Do all assigned chores without prompting (e.g., laundry, dishes, cleaning, garbage, yard work)
Earn spending money (e.g., by delivering newspapers or babysitting)
Prepare food (e.g., make grocery lists, buy items (with supervision), prepare an occasional family meal)
Wash family car

High School (Ages 16-18)

Responsible for all personal, school and family chores for ages 14-15
Responsible for purchasing their own clothes
Responsible for maintaining any car they drive (e.g., gas, oil changes, tire pressure, etc.)
Prepare family meals as needed (e.g., make grocery lists, buy items, cook meals)
Deep cleaning of household appliances (e.g., defrosting the freezer)