Most parents want kids to help at home but aren't sure what's realistic at each age. Use this list as a starting point. Every child develops differently, so adjust it to the kid in front of you.
Three rules before you pick any chore
Age matters less than three things: your child can physically do it, the steps are clear, and someone notices when it's done. Chores that meet all three are the ones kids are willing to do a second time.
- Add one new chore at a time and wait until it's routine before adding another.
- Show it first, then do it together, then let them do it alone.
- Describe what done looks like: “all toys in the bin,” not “clean up.”
- Accept imperfect results and don't redo their work in front of them.
Ages 3–4: helping alongside you
At this age the goal is participation. Little kids love copying adults, so keep tasks short with one or two steps.
- Put toys back in the bin
- Drop dirty clothes in the hamper
- Carry their own plastic plate and spoon to the counter
- Water plants with a small watering can
- Match clean socks
- Wipe the table with a damp cloth
Ages 5–6: finishing one step on their own
- Make their bed (pulling the comforter up counts)
- Set placemats, napkins, and utensils
- Sort clean laundry into each person's pile
- Feed the pet from a pre-measured scoop
- Sort recycling
- Put groceries on the lower fridge shelves
Ages 7–9: owning a regular job
Early elementary kids can remember a routine, so give them one daily or weekly job they're responsible for remembering.
- Take out the trash and recycling
- Fold and put away their own laundry
- Vacuum or sweep their room
- Pack their backpack and water bottle the night before
- Rinse fruit and vegetables
- Hang laundry on a low drying rack
- Tidy the shoe area by the door
Ages 10–12: handling multi-step chores
- Wash dishes or load the dishwasher
- Run a load of their own laundry
- Cook simple meals like eggs or pasta with an adult nearby
- Clean the bathroom sink
- Write the grocery list and help shop
- Watch a younger sibling for short periods, if your family is comfortable with it
Getting the list to actually work
The list is the easy part. The hard part is daily reminders. Anchor each chore to a moment that already happens, like after dinner or before bath, so the routine does the reminding. Letting kids pick some of their own chores from the list also makes a real difference.
If you'd rather not track it all on paper, HomeQuest turns each chore into a quest, or into a daily check-in that runs for a set number of days. Kids mark it done, you approve it, coins land in their vault, and everyone can see who did what.
FAQ
Should I redo a chore my child did badly?
Try not to redo it in front of them. Point out what went well, name one specific thing to try next time, and raise the bar gradually.
Should kids get paid for chores?
Families do it both ways. A common middle ground: taking care of your own things is part of being in the family, and extra jobs earn rewards. What matters most is agreeing on the rules in advance.
How do I keep it fair between siblings of different ages?
Fair doesn't mean identical. Give age-appropriate chores and let younger kids know they'll unlock harder quests as they grow.
Turn this list into a quest board your kids open themselves
HomeQuest is free. Post chores as quests or daily check-ins and approve them when they're done.