Chores teach responsibility, build confidence and help the whole family. The trick is choosing jobs that fit your child's age and making expectations clear. A simple chore chart does exactly that.
Chore ideas by age
Ages 2 to 3
- Put toys in a bin
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper
- Wipe up small spills with a cloth
Ages 4 to 5
- Make their bed (loosely)
- Feed a pet with help
- Set napkins on the table
- Match socks
Ages 6 to 8
- Set and clear the table
- Water plants
- Tidy their room
- Help sort recycling
Ages 9 to 12
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Take out garbage and compost
- Fold and put away laundry
- Help prepare simple meals
How to set up a chore chart
- Pick three to five chores. Too many overwhelms kids.
- Make it visual. Pictures help younger children who cannot read yet.
- Hang it where they will see it, such as the fridge or their bedroom door.
- Check off jobs together. Praise effort, not perfection.
- Review weekly. Swap chores and adjust as your child grows.
Should chores earn rewards?
Families differ. Some keep chores as part of belonging to the household and use a separate system for earning extras. Others tie chores to pocket money. A reward chart can motivate while habits form, then fade out as chores become routine.
Printable tools to get started
Our Life Skills & Routines collection includes chore charts, routine cards, reward charts and trackers. Everything prints on standard paper and can be reused for your own family.