Chores for 10 year olds
Ten-year-olds can run the washing machine, cook simple food with supervision and take responsibility for a pet's daily care.
Good starting point: Real household jobs: laundry, a pet, taking out the bins.
A sample week for a 10-year-old
Every day
- Set a morning alarm and get up
- Budget own allowance
- Clean the TV and screens
- Wash bath mats
- Mop bathroom floor
- Run the washing machine
- Scrub the toilet
- Pack own lunch
Once a week
- Vacuum stairs
- Change bed sheets
Chore list for 10 year olds, room by room
Everything a typical 10-year-old can manage alone. Bold items are ones that usually become possible around this age.
Bedroom
- Put toys in bins ~10 min
- Put dirty clothes in hamper ~2 min
- Help make the bed ~5 min
- Make own bed ~5 min
- Tidy bookshelf ~10 min
- Put away clean clothes ~10 min
- Change bed sheets ~20 min
- Vacuum bedroom ~15 min
- Dust bedroom surfaces ~10 min
Personal
- Pick out tomorrow's clothes ~5 min
- Pack school bag ~5 min
- Pack own lunch ~10 min
- Set a morning alarm and get up ~2 min
- Brush teeth without reminders ~4 min
- Budget own allowance ~10 min
- Put shoes on the rack ~2 min
Kitchen
- Wipe up own spills ~3 min
- Carry plate to the sink ~2 min
- Set the table ~5 min
- Clear the table ~5 min
- Load the dishwasher ~10 min
- Unload the dishwasher ~10 min
- Hand-wash dishes ~20 min
- Wipe kitchen counters ~5 min
- Sweep kitchen floor ~10 min
- Mop kitchen floor ~20 min
- Take out trash and recycling ~5 min
- Put groceries away ~10 min
- Wash fruit and vegetables ~5 min
- Make a simple breakfast ~15 min
- Wipe microwave inside ~10 min
- Wipe kitchen cabinet fronts ~15 min
- Help wipe the table with a cloth ~3 min
Living areas
- Empty small wastebaskets ~5 min
- Dust low shelves ~10 min
- Fluff and straighten cushions ~5 min
- Vacuum living room ~20 min
- Wipe light switches and door handles ~10 min
- Clean mirrors and glass doors ~10 min
- Water houseplants ~5 min
- Tidy shoes by the door ~5 min
- Vacuum stairs ~15 min
- Wipe baseboards ~25 min
- Clean the TV and screens ~5 min
- Put books back on the shelf ~5 min
Bathroom
- Hang up bath towel ~2 min
- Wipe bathroom sink ~5 min
- Clean bathroom mirror ~5 min
- Refill toilet paper and soap ~3 min
- Scrub the toilet ~10 min
- Mop bathroom floor ~10 min
- Wash bath mats ~5 min
Laundry
- Sort laundry by colour ~10 min
- Match socks ~10 min
- Fold towels and washcloths ~10 min
- Run the washing machine ~10 min
- Move laundry to the dryer or line ~10 min
- Fold and put away family laundry ~25 min
Pets
- Feed the pet ~5 min
- Refill pet water bowl ~2 min
- Brush the pet ~10 min
- Walk the dog ~30 min
- Clean the litter box ~10 min
- Pick up dog poop in the yard ~10 min
Outdoor
- Water the garden ~15 min
- Pull weeds ~20 min
- Rake leaves ~30 min
- Sweep porch or balcony ~10 min
- Wash the car ~40 min
- Bring bins to the curb ~5 min
Family help
- Help a younger sibling get dressed ~10 min
- Read to a younger sibling ~15 min
- Make a grocery list ~10 min
- Replace vacuum bag or empty canister ~5 min
- Help carry light shopping bags ~5 min
What to teach next
These usually come within the next couple of years. Show them once, do it together a few times, then hand it over:
Declutter closet and donate · Clean out the fridge · Sort mail and paper clutter · Wash windows inside · Clean shower or tub · Clean the fish tank
Chores for 10 year olds: FAQ
What chores can a 10 year old do?
Typical chores for 10 year olds include set a morning alarm and get up, budget own allowance, clean the tv and screens, wash bath mats, mop bathroom floor. Ten-year-olds can run the washing machine, cook simple food with supervision and take responsibility for a pet's daily care.
How many chores should a 10 year old have?
As a general suggestion, 4–6 daily jobs plus one or two weekly jobs. Start with fewer and add one new job at a time once the first ones are routine.
Should a 10 year old get paid for chores?
Many families pay a small allowance at 10; a common rule of thumb is $1 a week per year of age (so about $10 a week), but this is a convention, not a standard. See the allowance by age calculator.
Age guidance here is general, based on common advice such as the AAP's HealthyChildren.org. Every child is different; prioritise safety. See all ages.