Daily Chores for Kids: An Age-Based Guide + Free Printable Chore Chart (Part 2)

Task lists from toddler to tween plus a customizable chart that builds independence each day.

Last week, I wrote Part 1 of this post on why our chore routine for our kids has been one of the most transformative rhythms in our home. It’s by far the most popular post I’ve written yet! In that post you’ll find…

• How and why we begin at age 3 with chores

• The 4-step process of how we teach our kids how to do each chore independently

• A glimpse of what chores look like in our home for our 9, 7, and 5 year old children

• 5 payoffs we see each week from teaching our kids how to do chores

In Part 2 of this post, I wanted to share a breakdown of age-appropriate chores beginning at age 3 up until adolescence based on what we’ve noticed has been most helpful and realistic for our children over the years. It’s not an exclusive list of all age-appropriate chores, just the ones that have worked effectively for us.

Some chores are repeated for various ages because once taught how to do the task, they’re equipped and can do those chores seamlessly. For example, my kids will always have “Make bed” on their chore charts because it’s age-appropriate from age 3 until adulthood.

And to further equip parents with incorporating chores into a successful daily rhythm at home, I’ll share our free customizable chore chart! It’s the exact same one we’ve used for years and is simple, able to be used by young kids through adolescents, and completely free. Keep reading to find out more.

Age-Appropriate Chores From Age 3-10+

Age 3: These chores are about participation and building mental memory that turns into a habit, not perfection or even full independence. Focus on modeling and assisting.

1. Clean up toys in play spaces

2. Place dirty clothes in hamper

3. Dust baseboards with a sock or duster

4. Take recycling items to the bin

5. Match socks together when laundry is being folded

6. Help to make their bed

7. Straighten shoes by the door

8. Help feed pets (with supervision)

Ages 4–5: Motor skills are improving and children at this age begin to desire having “real” responsibilities. The first few on this list are life skills chores that we’ve found has laid the groundwork for other chores later on.

1. Make their own bed

2. Get dressed independently

3. Put dirty clothes in hamper

4. Brush teeth and comb hair

5. Put their own clean, folded laundry back into drawers

6. Set the table with napkins and utensils

7. Fold washcloths or small towels

8. Clear their dishes after meals

9. Vacuum after meals with a handheld vacuum (this one is our favorite)

10. Spray and wipe the table after meals

11. Take recycling items to the bin

12. Organize books or toys in the playroom

Ages 6–7: By this age, kids are able to start completing more complex tasks and learn how to do them thoroughly and independently. This is the age when we began to see a shift in ability and helpfulness. The quantity of chores may decrease at this age because they begin to become more challenging.

1. Make their own bed

2. Load/unload dishwasher

3. Vacuum small areas or rugs

4. Fold laundry (kid’s clothes and towels)

5. Clean bathroom sink and mirror

6. Make their own simple breakfast (toast, cereal)

7. Collect and sort laundry

8. Pack their own lunch or backpack

Ages 8–9: By 8 and 9, kids at this age can handle routines with greater independence after they’ve thoroughly been taught the expectations. Gearing chores around their personalities and gifting is helpful— some thrive with prepping meals, others love to organize. Use this to your advantage!

1. Prepare simple meals- with adult supervision as needed for safety

2. Take trash and recycling out

3. Clean bedroom weekly (vacuum, mop, dust)

4. Vacuum and mop floors

5. Load and unload the dishwasher

6. Wash and dry dishes

7. Wash and fold laundry

8. Clean up after meals

9. Clean bathroom weekly

10. Clean out the car

Ages 10+: When children reach adolescence and have been taught how to do chores for several years, they’re now able take on chores that make a big contribution at home. At the time of writing this, our oldest is nearly 10, so these are types of chores that we would expect she would have in the near future. Again, cater each child’s list to their strengths and abilities.

1. Cook a basic meal for the family

2. Do laundry start to finish

3. Clean bathroom fully (toilet, tub, floors)

4. Mow lawn (if mature enough)

5. Babysit siblings for short periods (state law permitting)

6. Deep clean various rooms according to a set schedule (vacuum, wipe, organize)

7. Meal prep or plan part of a grocery list

8. Clean fridge or pantry shelves

9. Handle basic home maintenance tasks (tighten screws, replace light bulbs)

Our Free Customizable Chore Chart (for you to print your own!)

I’ve made several different versions of chore charts since we first began this rhythm in our home but they’ve all had these key aspects which have made it simple and usable for our kids…

• Each child has their own chore chart (beginning at age 3).

• The kids check off their chores as they complete them. This teaches them accountability and independence.

• The chore charts includes pictures of them doing the chores or clipart images for them to see what each chore is (especially important for non-readers).

• At the end of the day or week (depending on age), they earn a very small allowance if they completed all their chores and meet the expectations (done thoroughly without complaining).

To keep our chore charts as minimal and kid-friendly as possible, I created this template that is very customizable according to the current chores each child does. We’re frequently reevaluating chores as our kids get older and giving them tasks that are realistic yet challenging, so I needed a chore chart that could be easily tweaked and reprinted.

I’ve also found that laminating the chore chart so kids can check it off with a dry-erase marker makes the process even more simple. This is our favorite laminator that we use weekly and have had for 5 years now. Of course you can print off a new chore chart each week too if you don’t have a laminator.

To make your own customizable chore chart, you can find the steps here!

Any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below or send me a message. My hope in sharing these Daily Chores for Kids posts is that it gives you the ability to learn how and why chores can be such a positive asset to your life at home— teaching your children valuable life skills, perseverance with hard things, and the ability to be equipped in independence for years to come.

As always, if you found this post or Part 1 of my Chore Rhythm series helpful, I’d love if you’d share it with a friend! Thanks for being here.