Kids routines
Chore chart ideas by age, from kindergarteners to teens
Updated · Done Enough
In this guide (11 parts)
Age-appropriate chores are jobs a child can finish mostly alone, in a few minutes, with a clear “done”. A kindergartener can set spoons, feed a pet and put clothes in the hamper. A teen can do their own laundry. Start with 2 or 3 daily chores and one weekly job.
It is part of our kids routines guide. How to set up and keep a chart going is in the main chore chart guide; blank layouts are in the chore chart template.
Chore ideas by age
Every child is different. Treat each row as a menu, not a target.
| Age | Daily chores | Weekly chores |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 | Toys in a bin, clothes in the hamper | Help put groceries away |
| 4 to 5 (kindergarten) | Set spoons and napkins, feed a pet, pull up the bed cover | Match socks, water plants |
| 6 to 8 | Set and clear the table, tidy their room | Sort laundry, empty small trash cans |
| 9 to 12 | Load or unload the dishwasher, pack their school bag | Vacuum a room, fold laundry, help cook |
| 13+ | Own dishes, own room | Own laundry, clean a bathroom, cook one meal |
Chores for ages 2 to 3
At this age, a “chore” is helping alongside you. Expect it to take longer than doing it yourself.
- Put toys in a bin (one bin, not sorting)
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper
- Carry their cup to the counter
- Help feed a pet (pour pre-measured food)
- Wipe a spill with a cloth
- Put books back on a low shelf
Chores for ages 4 to 5 (kindergarten)
- Set spoons, napkins and cups on the table
- Pull up the bed cover
- Match socks from the clean laundry
- Water plants with a small can
- Put shoes in their spot by the door
- Clear their own plate
- Sort recycling into the right bin, with help
Chores for ages 6 to 8
- Set and clear the table
- Make their bed
- Tidy their room (toys, books, clothes)
- Sort laundry into lights and darks
- Empty small trash cans
- Pack their school bag the night before
- Help put groceries away
- Feed and water a pet without help
Chores for ages 9 to 12
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Fold and put away their laundry
- Vacuum or sweep one room
- Wipe the bathroom sink
- Make a simple breakfast or snack
- Take out trash and recycling
- Help cook dinner (washing, measuring, stirring)
- Change their bed sheets, with help
Chores for ages 13 and up
- Do their own laundry start to finish
- Clean a bathroom
- Cook a full meal
- Mow the lawn or do yard work
- Help a younger sibling with a routine
- Make a grocery list
A full teen layout is in the printable chore chart for teens.
Example: a chore chart for a kindergartener
Pictures, three daily jobs, one weekly job. At 5, that is plenty.
| Chore | Picture | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make bed | Bed | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Clothes in hamper | Hamper | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Feed the cat | Cat bowl | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Match socks | Socks | ☐ |
How many chores at each age?
There’s no fixed rule. These are starting points to adjust:
| Age | Daily chores | Weekly jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 | 1 or 2, done with you | None |
| 4 to 5 | 2 or 3 | 1 |
| 6 to 8 | 2 or 3 | 1 |
| 9 to 12 | 3 or 4 | 1 or 2 |
| 13+ | 1 or 2 | 2 to 4 |
If the chart is half done most weeks, remove a chore before adding one.
How to pick the right chores
- Start with what they already half do. Turning a habit into a chore is easier than teaching a new one.
- Do the job together once, then let them do it while you are nearby.
- Define “done” in one sentence. “Bed made” means the cover is pulled up, not hotel-neat.
- Keep daily chores short, a few minutes each for younger kids.
- Move up slowly. Add a harder job only when the current ones run without reminders.
Adapting chores for kids with ADHD
Age lists assume a child can hold a multi-step job in mind. Many kids with ADHD can do the job but lose the thread halfway. Practical adjustments (not medical advice):
- Short steps. “Tidy your room” becomes three chores: toys in bin, clothes in hamper, books on shelf.
- Visual cues at the spot where the chore happens. Printable picture cards, like our kids visual routine cards, work well for non-readers too.
- Immediate rewards. A sticker or tick right after the job, not at the end of the week.
- Pick from a younger row if a chore keeps failing. Success first, then move up.
See ADHD routine for kids for whole-day charts.
Common problems
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| The chart worked for a week, then stopped | Very common. Swap one chore or redraw the chart with your child |
| Siblings argue about fairness | Rotate the jobs nobody wants, by name, every week |
| The template looks babyish to an older child | Drop the pictures and use a plain checklist, or let them design it |
| You stop checking it | Tie the check to something you already do, like dinner cleanup |
Pick two chores from your child’s row today and add them to a chart. Need a blank layout? Use the chore chart template. If kids fight over which job to take, put the chores on the task wheel and let them spin.
FAQ
What chores should kids do by age?
Toddlers can put toys in a bin and clothes in the hamper. Kindergarteners can set spoons, match socks and feed a pet. By 9 to 12 most kids can load the dishwasher or vacuum a room, and teens can do their own laundry and cook a simple meal. Adjust to your child, not the list.
How many chores should a 7 year old do?
There is no fixed number. Two or three small daily jobs plus one weekly job is a reasonable place to start at that age. If the chart is always half done, cut it down before adding anything.
What are some examples of weekly chores?
Changing bed sheets, sorting laundry, wiping the bathroom sink, taking out recycling, and tidying a shared room. Weekly jobs work well on a set day, such as Saturday morning.
What are normal daily chores?
Making the bed, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, clearing their plate, and tidying toys before bed. Daily chores should be short enough to finish in a few minutes.
What are normal chores for a 14-year-old?
Own laundry, loading and unloading the dishwasher, cleaning their room, trash and recycling, and helping cook. Fit the load around school and activities.