Chores for 13-year-old teens
Teenagers respond better to negotiated responsibility than assigned lists. Let them choose from a menu of chores.
Good starting point: Offer a menu and let them pick; agree the deadline, not the method.
A sample week for a 13-year-old
Every day
- Change a light bulb
- Set a morning alarm and get up
- Budget own allowance
- Clean the TV and screens
- Replace vacuum bag or empty canister
- Wash bath mats
Once a week
- Clean own bathroom weekly
- Iron or steam clothes
- Do own laundry start to finish
- Mow the lawn
Chore list for 13 year olds, room by room
Everything a typical 13-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
- Declutter closet and donate ~45 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
- Do own laundry start to finish ~60 min
- Budget own allowance ~10 min
- Clean own bathroom weekly ~30 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
- Cook a family dinner ~60 min
- Clean out the fridge ~30 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
- Sort mail and paper clutter ~15 min
- Vacuum stairs ~15 min
- Wipe baseboards ~25 min
- Wash windows inside ~40 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
- Clean shower or tub ~25 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
- Iron or steam clothes ~20 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
- Clean the fish tank ~30 min
- Pick up dog poop in the yard ~10 min
Outdoor
- Water the garden ~15 min
- Pull weeds ~20 min
- Rake leaves ~30 min
- Mow the lawn ~45 min
- Sweep porch or balcony ~10 min
- Wash the car ~40 min
- Shovel snow ~30 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
- Plan one family meal ~20 min
- Babysit a sibling for an hour ~60 min
- Change a light bulb ~5 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:
Pay a household bill online with a parent · Book own appointment · Descale the kettle · Clean the oven
Chores for 13 year olds: FAQ
What chores can a 13 year old do?
Typical chores for 13 year olds include change a light bulb, set a morning alarm and get up, budget own allowance, clean the tv and screens, replace vacuum bag or empty canister. Teenagers respond better to negotiated responsibility than assigned lists. Let them choose from a menu of chores.
How many chores should a 13 year old have?
As a general suggestion, a few daily jobs and one or two bigger weekly ones. Start with fewer and add one new job at a time once the first ones are routine.
Should a 13 year old get paid for chores?
Many families pay a small allowance at 13; a common rule of thumb is $1 a week per year of age (so about $13 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.