Age-appropriate chores: a chore list for every age from 4 to 18
Updated October 8, 2026
Kids who help at home build confidence and practical skills, but only if the jobs fit what they can actually do. Too hard and they give up; too easy and it feels like busywork. Here is a realistic starting point by age - adjust it to your child.
Ages 4-6: little helpers
Short, visible jobs with an obvious finish line work best. Expect to do them together at first.
- Put toys back in their box
- Feed a pet (with you measuring)
- Put dirty clothes in the basket
- Set napkins and spoons on the table
- Water plants
- Match socks from the laundry
Ages 7-9: building routines
Children this age can follow a short routine on their own and enjoy tracking progress.
- Make their bed
- Pack their school bag the night before
- Empty small bins
- Set and clear the table
- Sort laundry by colour
- Tidy their room to a simple checklist
Ages 10-12: real responsibility
Pre-teens can own a job end to end - including remembering it.
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Vacuum a room
- Take bins out on collection day
- Help cook a simple meal
- Fold and put away their own laundry
- Clean the bathroom sink and mirror
Ages 13-17: running the household
Teens respond better to responsibilities than to instructions. Agree the outcome and let them choose how and when.
- Cook a family dinner once a week
- Do their own laundry start to finish
- Mow the lawn or do garden work
- Shop from a grocery list
- Clean the kitchen after dinner
- Look after a younger sibling for a short time
18+: getting ready to live independently
- Plan and budget the week's meals
- Book their own appointments
- Handle a bill or a subscription
- Basic repairs: change a bulb, unblock a sink
How many chores, and how to make them stick
Start with two or three daily jobs and one weekly job, then add more once those are automatic. Rotate the unpopular jobs fairly between siblings, celebrate finished work straight away, and keep the list visible - a chart on the fridge or an app the kids check themselves.
TaskFamily turns this into a chore chart kids check themselves - with a design that changes for little ones, kids and teens, fair rotation between siblings, and a celebration for every finished job.
Questions parents ask
At what age should kids start doing chores?
Most children can start simple jobs like tidying toys at around 3 or 4. The point at that age is the habit, not the result.
Should I pay my kids for chores?
Many families keep everyday jobs unpaid (everyone helps at home) and reward extra jobs with points, privileges or pocket money. Pick one rule and keep it consistent.
How do I stop nagging about chores?
Make the list visible, agree a time for each job, and let the routine do the reminding. Praise and small rewards for finished jobs work better than reminders for unfinished ones.