Chore Chart by Age: Jobs for Toddlers to Teens

A chore chart works when each job fits what the child can actually do, the list stays short, and someone reviews it once a week. Toddlers can drop toys in a bin, school-age children can set the table and sort laundry, and teens can run whole tasks such as cooking a simple meal or cleaning a bathroom. Start with two or three jobs per child, teach each one before you expect it, and add more only when the first set is going smoothly.

Chore chart by age

Treat this as a starting point, not a rulebook. Height, coordination, focus and past practice vary a lot, so move a job up or down a band when it makes sense for your child.

Age	Jobs to try	Adult role
2 to 3	Put toys in a bin, drop dirty clothes in the hamper, wipe a small spill with a cloth, carry a napkin to the table	Do it together and make it a game
4 to 5	Pull up the blanket to make the bed, feed a pet with a pre-measured scoop, water plants, match socks, set out napkins and spoons	Show it once, then stay nearby
6 to 8	Set and clear the table, sort laundry, empty small wastebaskets, put groceries away, tidy the bedroom	Check the first few times, then spot-check
9 to 11	Load or unload the dishwasher, vacuum a room, fold and put away laundry, help cook dinner, walk the dog, make a simple snack	Teach safe use of knives and appliances before handing them over
12 to 14	Run a load of laundry from start to finish, clean a bathroom, take out trash and recycling, wash the car, cook a simple meal with an adult at home	Agree on the standard, then step back
15 to 18	Cook a family meal each week, do yard work, deep-clean the kitchen, keep their own laundry going, help plan the grocery list	Weekly check-in rather than daily reminders

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that even preschoolers can pitch in with simple tasks and that skills grow gradually as children get older. Its chores and responsibility guide also recommends introducing one new task at a time.

How to set up a chart that lasts

Pick a few jobs. Two or three per child is plenty. Include one personal job (their own bed or laundry) and one shared job (the table, the pets).
Teach before you assign. Do the job with them, then let them do it with you watching, then let them do it alone.
Define what done looks like. A bed is made when the blanket covers the pillow, not when it is perfect. Taking a photo of a finished room can help.
Pick a time. Tie each job to something already in your day, such as feeding the pet right after breakfast or clearing the table right after dinner.
Make it visible. Put the chart where the job happens or where family traffic is highest, such as the fridge or the back of a bedroom door.
Praise effort. Notice what went right before you point out what to fix.
Review weekly. Five minutes at a family meeting is enough to swap jobs, retire ones that are too easy and add one new job.

Pick a chart format that suits the age

Pre-readers: Use pictures. Draw or print a small image for each job and let the child move a magnet or flip a card when it is done.
Early readers: A short checklist with checkboxes, laminated or in a sheet protector so it can be reused with a dry-erase marker.
School age: A weekly grid with days across the top. Children enjoy checking things off themselves.
Teens: A shared note or a recurring reminder on their phone often works better than a poster. Agree on the deadline, not the exact hour.

Safety notes

Keep cleaning products locked or out of reach of young children, and teach older children to read labels. Never mix different cleaning products. If a child swallows or breathes in a chemical, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Do not hand over knives, the stove, ladders or power tools until you have taught the skill and watched it done safely several times. Your pediatrician can help you judge what your own child is ready for.
Choose breakable items carefully. Plastic plates and cups make dishwasher and table jobs less stressful for younger children.

When the chart stalls

Almost every chart loses steam after a few weeks. Check these common causes before you blame the child:

Too many jobs. Cut back to one or two for a week and rebuild.
Unclear standard. If the child does not know what done means, show a photo or do one example together.
Redoing the work. Fixing a child’s job right in front of them teaches them not to bother. Accept good enough, or give a quiet tip later.
No routine. Jobs without a set time drift. Attach each one to a daily anchor.
Boredom. Rotate jobs every month or two so no one is stuck with the least popular one forever.
Parent fatigue. A chart only works if an adult looks at it. Put the weekly review on the family calendar.

If a child resists strongly, stay calm and consistent. The AAP lists clear expectations, honest praise and loss of a privilege, such as screen time, as options when a chore is refused. Persistent defiance or anxiety around everyday tasks is a good reason to talk with your pediatrician.

Chores and money

There is no single right answer. Some families treat chores as part of living in the house and pay nothing. Others pay a small amount for extra jobs. Whichever you pick, keep the rule simple and explain it up front. For ideas on how families handle it, see our guide to how much allowance by age.

Bottom line

Match jobs to ability, start with two or three, teach each one, and put the chart where everyone sees it. Review it weekly, adjust when it stalls, and keep praise focused on effort. A modest chart that runs for months beats an elaborate one that lasts a week.

FAQ

How many chores should a child have?

Two or three at a time is a good range for most children. Add a new job only once the existing ones happen without reminders.

Should chores be paid?

It is a family decision. Many families separate basic household jobs, which are unpaid, from extra jobs that earn a small amount. The key is to be clear and consistent.

At what age can a child start doing chores?

Toddlers can help with simple tasks such as putting toys in a bin. Expect the job to take longer and be less tidy than doing it yourself, and treat it as practice.

What if my child does a chore badly?

Thank them first, then show one small improvement for next time. Avoid redoing the work in front of them.