Family Chores
All family members need to contribute to the household tasks to develop a sense of belonging and a feeling of accomplishment. The tables below detail daily and weekly tasks with the age most people are ready to perform them. Follow the suggestions below to make it happen.
- This is life. Make it fun! Work together. Have other family activities as rewards for completing chores.
- They can do it. Make sure each person has the skills and endurance to do what you ask. The chart below gives the level of daily contribution to expect for a given age. Be very specific about what you want done. Gradually add new skills and tasks. Use pictures or words to list the steps you expect in completing a task. Use a chore chart with everyone's names and tasks. Keep it where EVERYONE can check off their completed tasks every day.
Years Old |
Amount of weekday contribution |
2 to 3 |
Three one minute tasks 3 times a day |
4 to 5 |
15 min/day |
6 to 7 |
20 min/day |
8 up |
30 min/day |
- A place for everything. Make sure there is enough storage space for everything. Label storage with words or pictures. Before going to bed, quietly pick up all abandoned belongings and place in a special box.
Make a home for your family with your family!
Daily Chores |
Age Can Do |
Children's Personal Chores |
|
Age Can Do |
Make meals |
2 to 3 |
Pick up toys |
|
3 to 5 |
Dry unbreakable dishes |
2 to 3 |
Put clothes in hamper |
|
3 to 5 |
Help wipe up spills |
2 to 4 |
Help clean spills |
|
3 to 5 |
Fix bowl of cereal, help pack lunch |
2 to 4 |
Pick out clothes |
|
5 to 6 |
Help in the kitchen |
3 to 5 |
Brush teeth |
|
5 to 6 |
Help load the dishwasher |
3 to 5 |
Get dressed |
|
5 to 6 |
Set the table with napkins and silverware |
3 to 5 |
Hang clothes on hooks |
|
6 to 9 |
Help make meals |
3 to 5 |
Hang up hat, scarf, mittens |
|
6 to 9 |
Set and clean the table (with non breakable dishes) |
3 to 5 |
Hang up jacket |
|
8 to 9 |
Load and empty dishwasher |
3 to 5 |
Put away shoes and boots |
|
8 to 9 |
Prepare breakfast and pack lunch |
3 to 5 |
Put books in a pile |
|
8 to 9 |
Wipe out sink |
3 to 5 |
Put dirty clothes in hamper |
|
9 to 12 |
Clean countertops and sink |
3 to 5 |
Straighten bed (a comforter is easier) |
|
9 to 12 |
Wash, dry and put away dishes |
5 to 6 |
Hang up the towel after a bath |
|
|
Home |
5 to 6 |
Pick up bath toys |
|
3 to 5 |
Empty light wastebaskets |
5 to 6 |
Pick up bedroom |
|
6 to 9 |
Empty wastebaskets |
5 to 6 |
Put game and puzzle pieces away |
|
6 to 9 |
Wipe out bathroom sink |
6 to 7 |
Clean spills |
|
9 to 12 |
Take out the trash |
6 to 7 |
Keep clean, wash up |
|
9 to 12 |
Tidy up |
6 to 9 |
Make bed |
|
|
Yard |
6 to 9 |
Responsible for own room |
|
3 to 5 |
Help pick up litter in the yard |
6 to 9 |
Sort and straighten toys |
|
6 to 9 |
Water lawn and garden |
8 to 9 |
Prepare and take bath |
|
9 to 12 |
Shovel walks and drive |
|
Pets |
|
|
|
3 to 5 |
Help feed pets |
|
|
|
6 to 9 |
Feed and care for pets |
|
|
|
8 to 9 |
Walk pet |
|
|
|
Weekly Chores |
Age Can Do |
Household |
|
Age Can Do |
Household |
3 to 5 |
Fold hand towels and wash cloths |
|
12 to 15 |
Change light bulbs |
3 to 5 |
Help put away clothes in drawers |
|
12 to 15 |
Change linens |
5 to 6 |
Clean bathroom sinks |
|
12 to 15 |
Clean mirrors, glass doors and tops |
5 to 6 |
Dust furniture |
|
12 to 15 |
Clean the bathtub/shower stall |
5 to 6 |
Put away their own laundry |
|
12 to 15 |
Do own laundry |
5 to 6 |
Sort family members' clean laundry |
|
15 to 18 |
Shop for food |
5 to 6 |
Strip linens from beds |
|
Adult |
Family shopping |
5 to 6 |
Vacuum small areas with a lightweight, handheld vacuum |
|
Adult |
Filing & pay bills |
6 to 7 |
Sweep floor |
|
|
Pets |
6 to 9 |
Help fold laundry |
|
9 to 12 |
Clean pet areas |
6 to 9 |
Sort clothes for washing |
|
|
Car |
6 to 9 |
Vacuum their own room |
|
6 to 9 |
Clean out the car |
6 to 9 |
Wipe washer/dryer |
|
6 to 9 |
Help wash the car |
8 to 9 |
Declutter |
|
|
Yard |
8 to 9 |
Put away groceries |
|
6 to 9 |
Pick up litter in the yard |
8 to 9 |
Water flowers |
|
6 to 9 |
Pull weeds |
8 to 9 |
Wipe cabinets & appliances |
|
6 to 9 |
Rake leaves |
9 to 12 |
Clean bathroom mirrors |
|
9 to 12 |
Gardening |
9 to 12 |
Clean brushes/combs |
|
9 to 12 |
Trim lawn |
9 to 12 |
Clean toilets |
|
12 to 15 |
Mow lawn |
9 to 12 |
Collect all trash & put in garage can |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Fold laundry and put it away |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Mop small-area floors |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Put trash & recycling out |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Scrub and disinfect kitchen sink |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Shake out rugs |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Sweep stairs and walks |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Vacuum |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Wipe down and disinfect counters |
|
|
|
9 to 12 |
Wipe down stove and oven |
|
|
|