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102 chore ideas for kids
Stuck for ideas? Here are chores for every room in the house, each with the youngest age most children can manage it. Pick three or four, put them on a chart and add one new one each month.
Bedroom
- Make the bed4+
- Put toys back in their box2+
- Put dirty clothes in the basket3+
- Choose tomorrow’s clothes4+
- Tidy the bookshelf4+
- Change the pillowcase7+
- Strip the bed for washing8+
- Change the bed sheets11+
- Hoover the bedroom floor9+
- Dust the windowsill6+
- Sort out clothes that are too small8+
- Clear under the bed6+
Kitchen
- Lay the table4+
- Clear the table4+
- Wipe the table4+
- Put cutlery away5+
- Load the dishwasher7+
- Empty the dishwasher6+
- Dry up6+
- Wash up9+
- Fill the water jug5+
- Put the shopping away5+
- Wipe the kitchen counters7+
- Sweep the kitchen floor7+
- Make their own packed lunch9+
- Make a simple breakfast7+
- Help cook dinner6+
- Cook a family meal with help11+
- Clean out the fridge11+
- Empty the food caddy8+
- Refill the soap dispenser6+
- Wipe the high chair5+
Laundry
- Pair up socks4+
- Sort washing into colours6+
- Load the washing machine9+
- Hang out the washing8+
- Fold towels5+
- Fold and put away their own clothes7+
- Iron simple things13+
- Do a full load start to finish13+
Bathroom
- Hang up the towel3+
- Put the lid on the toothpaste3+
- Wipe the sink7+
- Replace the toilet roll5+
- Clean the bath10+
- Clean the toilet11+
- Clean the mirror7+
- Empty the bathroom bin6+
Around the house
- Dust low surfaces4+
- Plump the cushions3+
- Tidy the shoe rack4+
- Water the house plants5+
- Hoover the stairs10+
- Hoover the living room9+
- Mop a floor10+
- Empty the bins8+
- Sort the recycling6+
- Take the bins out on bin day10+
- Answer the door with a grown-up5+
- Tidy the coats and bags5+
- Clean the fingerprints off doors6+
- Change a light bulb with help12+
- Put the post on the side4+
- Charge the family devices8+
Pets
- Fill the water bowl3+
- Feed the cat or dog5+
- Brush the dog7+
- Walk the dog with a grown-up6+
- Walk the dog alone12+
- Clean out the hamster cage8+
- Feed the fish5+
- Scoop the litter tray9+
- Collect the eggs5+
Garden and outside
- Pick up garden toys3+
- Water the plants4+
- Pull up weeds6+
- Sweep the path8+
- Rake leaves7+
- Help plant seeds4+
- Wash the car with help8+
- Clean the car inside9+
- Mow the lawn13+
- Wash the windows10+
- Clear the snow from the path10+
- Bring the washing in7+
- Top up the bird feeder5+
- Sweep the patio8+
Looking after themselves
- Brush teeth without reminding5+
- Get dressed by themselves4+
- Pack the school bag6+
- Check the homework diary8+
- Make a to-do list for the week10+
- Set their own alarm10+
- Pack for a trip9+
- Keep track of their pocket money8+
Helping the family
- Read to a younger brother or sister7+
- Help a sibling tidy up6+
- Write a thank-you card6+
- Help with the weekly shop8+
- Plan a family film night8+
- Look after a younger sibling for ten minutes12+
- Plan and cook one dinner a week13+
Questions parents ask
What chores can a 5 year old do?
At five, most children can make their bed (roughly), lay and clear the table, put toys away, feed a pet, sort socks, water plants and put clean clothes in drawers. Show them once, then let them do it their way.
What chores can a 10 year old do?
By ten, children can hoover, load and empty the dishwasher, take the bins out, clean the bath, hang out washing, make a simple meal with help and walk the dog with someone.
How many chores should a child have?
Two to four small daily chores suits most primary school children, plus one or two bigger weekly jobs from around age nine. Fewer chores done every day beat a long list that gets ignored.
How do I get my child to do chores without nagging?
Put the chores somewhere they can see them, tick them off straight away, agree the reward in advance and review together at the end of the week. A chart or an app does the reminding so you don’t have to.
Want the chart to cheer back?
Score Your Chores is the same idea on your iPhone. Kids wake up their own Buddy, finish quests with a press-and-hold, and save points for rewards you choose. You approve everything in two taps. Free, no ads, no child accounts.