Real-life examples of age-appropriate chores for kids at every age

Examples of age-appropriate chores for kids ages 2–3

Let’s start with the littles. At this age, you’re not aiming for perfection; you’re building habits and a sense of “I can help.” The best examples of chores for toddlers are short, simple, and feel like play.

Real examples of age-appropriate chores for kids ages 2–3 include:

• Carrying their own plate to the counter after meals (you handle anything breakable).
• Putting toys back into a bin when you sing a clean-up song.
• Wiping low surfaces with a damp cloth (coffee table, baseboards, cabinet doors).
• Putting dirty clothes into the laundry basket.
• Helping feed pets by pouring pre-measured food into a bowl.
• Pushing buttons on the washing machine or dishwasher after you set it up.

At this stage, the chore is really about the routine. You might say, “When we’re done playing, we always put the blocks back in the basket.” You’re modeling that everyone in the family participates. The best examples of toddler chores are ones you’re already doing, with a tiny piece handed off to them.

Everyday examples of chores for preschoolers (ages 4–5)

By 4–5, kids can handle slightly more complex tasks with a clear beginning and end. They love feeling like a “big kid,” so lean into that.

Examples of examples of age-appropriate chores for kids in this group often look like:

• Making their own bed in a simple way (pulling up a comforter and placing a pillow on top).
• Setting out napkins and non-breakable dishes for dinner.
• Matching clean socks and folding small towels or washcloths.
• Watering houseplants with a small cup or kid-sized watering can.
• Using a small hand broom and dustpan to sweep crumbs under the table.
• Helping pack their backpack: putting in their lunchbox, folder, and water bottle.

These are the years when a simple picture chore chart works wonders. You can use photos of the real examples of chores your child does: a picture of a bed, a plant, a laundry basket. Kids this age respond well to visual reminders and short, predictable routines.

If you’re wondering whether preschool chores are “too much,” it can help to remember that organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize building independence through daily tasks, not just academics or sports. Chores are one piece of that independence puzzle.

School-age kids (6–8): best examples of growing responsibility

Once kids hit early elementary school, they’re ready for more responsibility, as long as expectations are clear and you’re still nearby for guidance. This is a sweet spot for building skills.

Some of the best examples of age-appropriate chores for kids ages 6–8 include:

• Emptying the dishwasher of plastic items and silverware (you handle sharp knives and heavy glass at first).
• Wiping down the kitchen table and counters after meals.
• Packing their own lunch with a parent-approved list of options.
• Sorting laundry into lights and darks.
• Folding their own clothes (even if it’s not Pinterest-perfect) and putting them into drawers.
• Taking out small trash cans and replacing the bags.
• Helping prepare simple snacks: washing fruit, spreading peanut butter, or stirring pancake batter.

At this age, you can start connecting chores to real-world skills: “Knowing how to pack your own lunch means you’ll never go hungry at school,” or “Sorting laundry is how you keep your favorite shirt looking good.”

You might also notice more resistance around now. That’s normal. Consistency helps: a written or printed chore chart, a set time of day (like “after snack, before screen time”), and clear, calm follow-through.

Tweens (9–12): real examples of life-skill chores

Tweens are capable of much more than many parents realize, especially when you’ve been gradually increasing responsibility. This is where chores start looking a lot like real adult tasks—but with support.

Real examples of age-appropriate chores for kids ages 9–12 include:

• Doing a basic load of laundry from start to finish (with your supervision at first).
• Loading and unloading the dishwasher fully, including breakable items.
• Vacuuming or sweeping high-traffic areas of the home.
• Cleaning their own bathroom sink and counter, and later the toilet with proper guidance.
• Making a simple meal: scrambled eggs, pasta with sauce, tacos, or grilled cheese.
• Taking the trash and recycling to the curb on pickup days.
• Walking a well-trained family dog with a sibling or adult nearby.

This age group also does well with “zones” instead of individual tasks. For example, one tween is in charge of the entryway area for the week: shoes lined up, backpacks hung, mail in a basket. Another tween might own the living room zone: cushions straightened, blankets folded, remotes in a tray.

Chores at this stage are directly tied to future independence. Studies on youth life skills repeatedly show that kids who practice real household responsibilities are better prepared for college and work later on. The University of Minnesota Extension has a helpful overview of how chores support child development and self-reliance.

Teens (13–18): examples of near-adult responsibilities

By the teen years, the examples of examples of age-appropriate chores for kids start to look almost identical to adult responsibilities. The goal here is simple: by the time they leave home, they should be able to run a basic household.

Examples include:

• Planning and cooking one family dinner per week, from grocery list to cleanup.
• Managing their own laundry, including washing, drying, folding, and putting away.
• Deep cleaning a bathroom: scrubbing the tub, toilet, sink, and floor.
• Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or shoveling snow (with safety guidelines in place).
• Watching younger siblings for short periods, if they are mature and willing.
• Helping with simple household admin: making a phone call to schedule an appointment, or emailing a coach/teacher about a conflict.
• Keeping their room and personal spaces reasonably tidy without daily reminders.

Teens also benefit from money-related chores. For example, you might pay for extra work above and beyond their standard responsibilities: washing the car, organizing the garage, or helping with a family yard sale. This connects effort with income in a healthy, concrete way.

If your teen resists, it can help to frame chores as adult practice: “I don’t want you to move out someday and feel lost about how to clean a kitchen or budget for groceries.” Many college mental health and student life offices report that students struggle not just with academics, but with daily life tasks. Teaching these at home is a quiet but powerful gift.

How to match chores to your child’s abilities (with real examples)

Age is a guide, not a rulebook. Two 8-year-olds can be at very different maturity levels. When you’re choosing chores, look at three things:

1. Safety
If a task involves heat, chemicals, sharp tools, or heavy lifting, you either skip it for now or break it into safer steps.

• For example, a 7-year-old might help you cook by washing vegetables and stirring, while you handle the stove and knives.

2. Attention span
Younger kids need quick wins. Older kids and teens can handle longer tasks.

• A 5-year-old might wipe the table for two minutes.
• A 12-year-old can clean the whole kitchen after dinner.

3. Personality and sensory needs
Some kids love water and don’t mind getting messy; others hate sticky hands and loud vacuums.

• A sensory-seeking child might enjoy vacuuming or scrubbing.
• A sensory-sensitive child might prefer folding laundry or organizing books.

The best examples of chore setups are flexible. You can rotate tasks, trade chores between siblings, or offer a “chore menu” where kids pick from a list. The key is that everyone contributes in some way.

For kids with disabilities or developmental differences, many of these examples of age-appropriate chores for kids can be adapted. The CDC’s developmental milestones can help you think in terms of ability rather than just age.

Examples of simple chore chart ideas by age group

If you’re trying to turn all these examples into something that actually works on a Tuesday night, a simple chore chart can keep everyone on the same page.

Here are real examples of how families often organize chores:

For toddlers and preschoolers
A magnet board on the fridge with picture cards: a bed, a toothbrush, a toy bin, a plate. When they finish a chore, they move the picture to the “Done” side. This makes the abstract idea of “helping” very concrete.

For early elementary kids
A weekly chart with their name at the top and days of the week across. Under each day, you might list:

• Make bed
• Put dishes by sink
• Feed pet (evening)
• 5-minute toy pickup

You can add a simple reward system if you like (stickers, extra story time, choosing a weekend family activity), but the main message is: “This is what we do as part of our family team.”

For tweens and teens
A shared family calendar or app can work better than a cute chart. You might assign “zones” or rotating responsibilities:

• Week A: You handle trash and recycling; your sibling handles dishes.
• Week B: You handle vacuuming; your sibling handles bathrooms.

Real examples include kids checking off chores on a shared notes app, or parents sending a quick photo of the list to a family group chat after school.

If you’d like to see more on how chores connect with responsibility and mental health, organizations like Child Mind Institute share research-backed guidance on using chores to build confidence rather than conflict.

FAQ: examples of age-appropriate chores for kids

Q: Can you give an example of a daily chore routine for a 6-year-old?
Yes. A realistic routine might look like: in the morning, make the bed and put pajamas in the laundry basket; after school, hang up backpack and put lunchbox in the kitchen; after dinner, clear their plate and wipe the table with a damp cloth. These examples of small, consistent chores build a strong routine without overwhelming them.

Q: What are good examples of chores that don’t feel like punishment?
Chores that are naturally connected to the child’s own life work best. For instance, caring for a pet they love, keeping their art supplies organized, or helping make a favorite snack. When chores are framed as “this is how we take care of our stuff and each other,” kids are less likely to see them as unfair.

Q: Should I pay my child for chores?
Experts often suggest a mix. Some chores are simply part of being in the family (making the bed, clearing dishes), while extra or occasional jobs (washing the car, deep-cleaning the fridge) can earn money. This keeps the message clear: everyone contributes, and sometimes extra work leads to extra pay.

Q: My teen refuses chores. Any examples of strategies that actually work?
Stay calm, stay consistent, and tie chores to natural consequences. For example, “When the trash isn’t taken out, the kitchen smells and we can’t cook comfortably. If it keeps happening, we’ll pause rides to social events until it’s back on track.” Involving teens in choosing which chores they do, and connecting those chores to adult life (like learning to cook before college), often helps.

Q: How many chores should kids have each day?
There’s no perfect number, but many families aim for a few quick daily tasks plus one or two weekly ones, scaled by age. A 4-year-old might have 2–3 tiny chores; a 12-year-old might have 4–5 more involved responsibilities. The best examples of chore plans are ones your family can actually sustain over months, not just a week of enthusiasm.

When you’re choosing from all these examples of examples of age-appropriate chores for kids, remember: progress over perfection. The goal isn’t a spotless house; it’s raising kids who know how to contribute, care for themselves, and feel capable in the real world. If a chore chart helps you get there with fewer arguments and more teamwork, it’s doing its job.