Chores for 8 year olds
Eight-year-olds can take ownership of a zone, such as their bedroom, and remember routine jobs with a chart instead of prompts.
Good starting point: Own a room or zone; introduce light cleaning products under supervision.
A sample week for an 8-year-old
Every day
- Pack own lunch
- Take out trash and recycling
- Clean mirrors and glass doors
- Move laundry to the dryer or line
- Pack school bag
- Clean bathroom mirror
Once a week
- Make a simple breakfast
- Vacuum bedroom
Chore list for 8 year olds, room by room
Everything a typical 8-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
- 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
- Brush teeth without reminders ~4 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
- Wipe kitchen counters ~5 min
- Sweep kitchen floor ~10 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 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
- 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
Laundry
- Sort laundry by colour ~10 min
- Match socks ~10 min
- Fold towels and washcloths ~10 min
- Move laundry to the dryer or line ~10 min
Pets
- Feed the pet ~5 min
- Refill pet water bowl ~2 min
- Brush the pet ~10 min
Outdoor
- Water the garden ~15 min
- Pull weeds ~20 min
- Rake leaves ~30 min
- Sweep porch or balcony ~10 min
Family help
- Help a younger sibling get dressed ~10 min
- Read to a younger sibling ~15 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:
Change bed sheets · Set a morning alarm and get up · Hand-wash dishes · Mop kitchen floor · Wipe microwave inside · Vacuum stairs
Chores for 8 year olds: FAQ
What chores can a 8 year old do?
Typical chores for 8 year olds include pack own lunch, take out trash and recycling, clean mirrors and glass doors, move laundry to the dryer or line, pack school bag. Eight-year-olds can take ownership of a zone, such as their bedroom, and remember routine jobs with a chart instead of prompts.
How many chores should a 8 year old have?
As a general suggestion, 3–5 daily jobs plus one weekly job. Start with fewer and add one new job at a time once the first ones are routine.
Should a 8 year old get paid for chores?
Many families pay a small allowance at 8; a common rule of thumb is $1 a week per year of age (so about $8 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.