Did you know that children who are given chores actually grow up to become more independent adults? Having your kids actually help out with household tasks is every parent’s dream — but sometimes, getting them to do the chores can feel like an uphill battle, and you may resort to doing these chores yourself.
To help make the process easier, we’ve created age-appropriate chore charts for kids so you can have your kids assist around the house no matter their ages. Whether you live in the house behind the white picket fence or in a high-rise apartment with your kids, we’ve created customizable chore charts that are perfect for any age so your child can learn more responsibilities as they grow up.
Check out our list of chore charts for kids below, or skip directly to to the printable chore charts:
- Toddler chore charts
- Kindergarten chore charts
- School kid chore charts
- Preteen chore charts
- Teenager chore charts
- How to create a chore chart
Toddler chore chart (ages 2–3)
While young toddlers will need supervision with their chores, preschool-age children may be able to do simple chores on their own. Having your toddler assist with chores has a myriad of benefits (besides taking them off of your plate), including:
- Teaches them basic household responsibilities
- Gives them a sense of accomplishment
- Builds functional skills like categorizing and problem-solving
- Shows them the importance of contributing to a group
Since some toddlers will struggle with signing a chore chart, you may want to use a sticker-based reward chart like the example below. Each time your toddler completes a chore, they can add a sticker to their rewards until they’ve completed the chart.
To keep your chores straight, we recommend using different sticker colors or designs for each chore. For example, you can give them a pet sticker when they’ve filled the dog’s water bowl or a smiley face sticker after brushing their teeth!
Age-appropriate chores for toddlers
Many toddlers are naturally curious about the world around them. To help them learn more about the home, here are some chores that your toddler may be able to help with around the house:
- Fill up pet food and water bowls
- Sort forks and spoons into the utensil drawer
- Brush their teeth
- Put their laundry in the hamper
- Put their toys away
- Assist with making the bed
However, it’s important to remember that every child is different, and what one toddler may be able to do another might need help with for a little longer. You should move at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for your kid.
Kindergarten chore chart (ages 4–6)
Once your kids graduate to kindergarten (where did the time go!), they can begin taking on more responsibilities around the house. Kingergarteners often feel more desire to help their parents, so you can use chores as a way to help relieve some of your household responsibilities and teach them independence at the same time.
Check out this kindergarten chore chart to help your little one take on some additional responsibilities around the house, and take a look at our list of age-appropriate chores for kindergarteners below.
Age-appropriate chores for kindergarteners
In addition to the chores above, kindergarteners can also begin helping out with these tasks:
- Make their bed
- Clear the table
- Set the table
- Take the dog out to the yard
- Be responsible for the pet’s food and water bowls
- Sort laundry into lights and darks
- Put away simple groceries, like fruits and veggies
Elementary school kid’s chore chart (ages 7–10)
Once your kid reaches elementary school, they should be able to handle more chores by themselves. As they mature through elementary school, you can use chores as an opportunity to teach your kids about independence and autonomy.
If your kid has become a big brother or sister, they can also start assisting their younger sibling at this age. Whether they’re using their home learning space to help their siblings with homework or teaching their sibling how to do chores, having your older kid teach their siblings is a great way to encourage independence and leadership at a young age.
To get your elementary school kid started, check out this customizable chore chart for elementary school kids:
Age-appropriate chores for elementary school kids
While every child is different, here are some chore ideas that may be appropriate for elementary school kids:
- Sweep the floors
- Help pack lunches
- Clean their room
- Load and put away dishes
- Vacuum the house
- Take the pet on walks
- Put away their laundry
- Empty the trash cans
- Assist younger siblings
While the decision is unique for each family, some parents start introducing rewards like a weekly allowance for chores at this age. However, a decision like this should always be individual to your situation.
Preteen chore chart (ages 11–13)
At the preeteen age, kids start having more autonomy and may want to rebel against their parents — but the oh-so-dreaded preteen years don’t always have to be oh-so-bad.
While not every child rebels at this age, you may want to start having a conversation with them about why chores are important and how chores can benefit them. With a positive attitude (and potentially a reward or allowance), your kids can still help out around the home.
Age-appropriate chores for preteens
As preteens enter middle school, you may start having to deal with outside factors like friends influencing their opinions, which is why it’s important to have a discussion with your child to set expectations about their chores. In addition to the above chores, here are some additional age-appropriate chores for preteens.
- Wash the car
- Prepare simple meals
- Do laundry
- Take out trash
- Babysitting
At this age, you can also start discussions about splitting up apartment cleaning with your kids.
Teenager chore chart (ages 14+)
Ah, the teenage years. As your kid gets closer to college, it can be hard to say goodbye. But if your teen is preparing to move out in the next few years, it’s important to set them up for success by teaching them how to do chores independently.
At this age, some parents may move away from set chore schedules and use options that are a bit more open-ended, like a sign-off sheet. Using a sign-off sheet that runs on the honor system rather than a set schedule can help teach your teen about independence and autonomy before they fly away from the rest.
Age-appropriate chores for teenagers
While your teenager might think they’re pretty much grown up, it’s important to follow your instincts and only give them as much as they can handle. For teens with their drivers license for example, they can start running errands like picking up groceries or filling up the tank. Check out our list of age-appropriate chores for teens below.
- Clean the fridge
- Take the car for a wash
- Break down recycling boxes
- Deep clean the kitchen or bathroom
- Care for pets
- Run family errands
Beyond the above chores, this is a great age to get your kid involved in larger tasks like spring cleaning so they’re prepared for dorm life ahead.
How to create a chore chart that works
There’s no perfect method of getting your kid to do chores. To create a chore chart that works for your family, check out our tips below (but remember that no one knows your kids as well as you do!).
1. Post chore assignments in plain sight
The first step in crafting an effective chore chart is to find a good place to put it. To make sure everyone can easily see their tasks, you’ll want to choose a central location in your home or apartment. Some great spots include the refrigerator door, kitchen wall or entryway.
2. Show, don’t tell
If your kids are the only ones participating, they might be less willing to play along with their chore chart. Help them take it seriously by creating chore charts for you, your partner and other adults in the house. That way, you’ll be able to show the kids how it’s done and be good role models for them.
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3. Tailor chores to your kids’ ages
When creating a chore chart, you’ll want to keep your kids’ ages in mind. Younger kids might prefer easier tasks and cutesy designs on their chart, while older kids want more challenging duties and sophisticated layouts. Be sure you’re adjusting chore charts as your kids grow up.
4. Talk through the chores together
Don’t expect your kids to be experts at every task right away. If they’re struggling, walk through the necessary steps for each chore and supervise them until they’re ready to try it alone. Alternatively, you could teach your kids how to clean your apartment efficiently and go through all their chores at once.
5. Set boundaries
You’ll want to establish clear boundaries depending on your kids’ ages. Younger kids might need a schedule to help them stay on track. Meanwhile, preteens and teenagers might not respond well to strict deadlines. You should instead trust your older kids to create and follow their own structure.
6. Expect some imperfection
No matter their age, your kids are likely to make some mistakes as they complete new chores. Whenever these errors happen, it’s important to be patient with the learning curve. Try providing constructive criticism and walking them through the steps again. After all, the goal is to help your kids learn the ropes.
7. Give compliments
Did you know that giving your child a compliment can help improve performance in a similar way to receiving a cash reward? We often underestimate the power a little validation can have. To show your kids your appreciation, be sure to give them compliments while they’re completing and after they finish their chores. By applauding their hard work, your kids can feel more encouraged to keep going.
8. Provide a reward
In addition to praise, rewards provide an even more exciting incentive. One option is to give your kids an allowance for finishing chores. If a financial reward isn’t your thing, you can allow your kids to attend a playdate, have a sleepover, go to the mall or get extra screen time. Whatever the reward is, just make sure it’s as immediate and tangible as possible.
A clean home is a happy home
Whether you have little ones that can take the lead in cleaning up after playtime or older teens that are preparing to head off to college, teaching them the importance of chores can set them up for success later in life.
Cleaning clutter by yourself can feel like a drag — in fact, clutter is more annoying than dirt for the majority of Americans. But if your kids help out, it can make completing chores a lot quicker for the whole family. If a deep clean is off the table and you’re looking for a fresh start, check out our apartment finder to find a sparkly clean place to call home.
