Daily chores for kids
The quick jobs that happen every day, sorted by the age most children can do them alone.
Short answer: Pick 2–5 daily chores that take under 10 minutes each, such as making the bed, clearing the table and feeding the pet, and keep longer jobs for one weekly slot.
Ages 2–4
One- and two-step jobs, done with you at first.
- Put toys in bins
from age 2 · ~10 min · daily - Put dirty clothes in hamper
from age 2 · ~2 min · daily - Help make the bed
from age 3 · ~5 min · daily - Pick out tomorrow's clothes
from age 4 · ~5 min · daily - Brush teeth without reminders
from age 4 · ~4 min · daily - Wipe up own spills
from age 3 · ~3 min · daily - Carry plate to the sink
from age 3 · ~2 min · daily - Fluff and straighten cushions
from age 3 · ~5 min · daily - Tidy shoes by the door
from age 3 · ~5 min · daily - Hang up bath towel
from age 4 · ~2 min · daily - Feed the pet
from age 4 · ~5 min · daily - Refill pet water bowl
from age 3 · ~2 min · daily - Put books back on the shelf
from age 2 · ~5 min · daily - Help wipe the table with a cloth
from age 2 · ~3 min · daily - Put shoes on the rack
from age 2 · ~2 min · daily
Ages 5–7
Short routines they can tick off on their own chart.
- Make own bed
from age 5 · ~5 min · daily - Pack school bag
from age 6 · ~5 min · daily - Set the table
from age 5 · ~5 min · daily - Clear the table
from age 5 · ~5 min · daily - Load the dishwasher
from age 7 · ~10 min · daily - Unload the dishwasher
from age 6 · ~10 min · daily - Wipe kitchen counters
from age 6 · ~5 min · daily - Read to a younger sibling
from age 7 · ~15 min · daily
Ages 8–11
Jobs that need a bit of planning or responsibility for someone else.
- Pack own lunch
from age 8 · ~10 min · daily - Set a morning alarm and get up
from age 10 · ~2 min · daily - Hand-wash dishes
from age 9 · ~20 min · daily - Take out trash and recycling
from age 8 · ~5 min · daily - Make a simple breakfast
from age 8 · ~15 min · daily - Walk the dog
from age 10 · ~30 min · daily - Clean the litter box
from age 9 · ~10 min · daily - Help a younger sibling get dressed
from age 8 · ~10 min · daily
daily weekly now and then
Daily chore questions
To tick jobs off each day with points and streaks, use the chore tracker. For bigger weekly jobs, see the full chore list by room.
What are good daily chores for kids?
Short, repeatable jobs that fit into the day: make the bed, set or clear the table, feed the pet, put dirty clothes in the hamper, pack the school bag. Save longer jobs such as vacuuming or bathrooms for a weekly slot.
How many daily chores should a child have?
As a general suggestion: 2–3 tiny jobs for preschoolers, 3–5 for school-age children and a handful for teens, each taking about 2–10 minutes. Fewer jobs done every day beat a long list that gets ignored.
What chores should a 7 year old be doing?
A typical 7-year-old can make their bed, set and clear the table, unload the dishwasher, feed a pet, sweep the kitchen floor and wipe light switches. See the 7-year-old page for a ready-made chart.
What is the difference between daily and weekly chores?
Daily chores keep the house from sliding (dishes, tidying, pets); weekly chores reset it (vacuuming, bathrooms, sheets). A good chart has a few of each and puts weekly jobs on a fixed day.
Lists for each age
Age guidance is general, drawn from common advice such as the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org. Children vary; go by what your child can do safely.