Chore List by Age

Requiring your child to complete chores helps teach valuable skills for independence, builds self-confidence, and takes some of the work off your plate. The below chore list by age provides examples of what kinds of tasks your child could be ready for at a particular age. As your child grows, you can pull chores from their current age category as well as from any younger age category.

Please note, as long as you are requiring some chores what chores you choose does not really matter. The important part about chores is that you are teaching your child responsibility, accountability and self-efficacy.

If your child is neurodivergent or has a disorder, please read our tips on chores for neurodivergent children to go along with this chore list by age.

Avoid Parenting Pitfalls

One of the most common mistakes when implementing chores with your child is the belief that your child will know what to do automatically.

The reality is you should expect to have to break down each chore into simple steps and teach your child exactly how you want them to perform it. Even for older kids and teens. It may be common sense to you, but your child has never learned it before so be patient and understanding as they learn a new skill. Make sure to stick close to them the first handful of times and show them rather than tell them what you expect. Once they can perform the task properly two or three times, you should be able to leave them to complete the task on their own, depending on their age and ability.

When your child completes their chore, don’t forget to check their work and keep them accountable. If they have made a mistake, don’t get mad. Simply show them how to correct the mistake and ask them to re-do that part. If your child has a breakdown at this point, let them take a break first and tell them they can come back to the task after a short period of time or before a different activity begins.

If a chore repeatedly results in mistakes or a breakdown, it is either time to re-teach the task in smaller steps or to choose a different chore and work your way up to the harder chore.

The important thing to remember is to remain consistent with having your child complete their chores and meet an acceptable level of standards.

Chore Lists by Age

Chore list for toddlers (ages 2 – 3)

• Put away toys
• Dust leather couch/furniture
• Wipe down table
• Pair socks
• Water plants
• Move chairs for vacuuming

Chore list for preschoolers (ages 4 – 5)

• Help carry grocery bags
• Set table
• Help unpack grocery bags
• Make bed independently

Chore list for young children (ages 6 – 7)

• Take out trash
• Load/Unload dishwasher
• Fold laundry
• Help prepare a meal
• Pack own lunch
• Help take care of a pet

Chore list for school age children (ages 8 – 9)

• Put away groceries
• Hand wash dishes
• Vacuum
• Rake leaves
• Shovel snow
• Prepare a family meal
• Take care of a pet (give food, water, clean area and walk)

Chore list for older children (ages 10 – 11)

• Clean bathroom
• Mow lawn
• Do laundry
• Clean windows
• Sew for minor needs/fixes

Chore list for tweens and teens (ages 12 +)

• Help with more extensive house cleaning and organization projects
• Watch younger children independently (for 2-4 hours)
• Help run small errands

Chores for Autistic or ADHD Children

As a parent of an autistic child or a child with ADHD, you want your child to grow into independence and be able to one day thrive on their own. However depending on your child’s particular struggles and challenges, you may wonder what your child can realistically take on. Or you may simply question when to push them to do more or when to let things go.

The truth is raising an autistic child or a child with ADHD requires a complete overhaul of your expectations as to what they can and cannot do. But with the right structure and support, your child can work towards more independence through chores.

Parenting tips on implementing chores for autistic or ADHD children

Be realistic with what your child can do

A child’s numerical age is rarely, if ever, aligned with their developmental age when they have autism or ADHD. Understanding your child’s diagnosis and what their strengths and challenges are can help to guide you in setting what chores your child can take on.

Pay attention to sensory triggers

If your child is sensitive to a particular sense, make sure you take that into account when deciding what chore to give them. Are they able to handle the sound, vibration and sometimes smell of a vacuum? If not, don’t make that a chore for them. Perhaps sweeping would be a better fit. If your child has tactile sensitivities then finding the right kind of glove they can wear when doing their chores is necessary before you can take on giving them chores.

Be realistic with what your end goal is

Some neurodivergent children will be able to live independently with proper supports in place, some will be able to live in a group home setting, and some will require more dependent care. As your child grows and you have more experience learning what their challenges mean for them, adjust your end goal accordingly. View this as a fluid process and a slower launching process. Expecting too much of your neurodivergent child too soon can cause them to shut down and become overwhelmed, which can lead to anxiety or depression.

Have a candid discussion with your teenager

For teenagers who will eventually be living in a group home or independently, have a candid conversation about what daily chores they struggle with. If they truly cannot pick up after themselves because their neurodivergence is making it too big of an obstacle, talk to them about their options. They can either agree to implementing and working through chore routines in small, manageable steps or they will need to always budget for a cleaning service to take care of this aspect of their life. If they choose the cleaning crew option, don’t fight it, don’t spend your time and energy on it, just move on to something that they are willing to work on.

Use visuals

For all chores, use a visual chart. For example, take a before picture of dishes in the sink, a picture of them doing the dishes, and then a picture after the dishes are done. Display these pictures instead of a chore list.

Use Choice Boards

Allowing your child to choose the chore they will complete from 2-3 pictures can increase success.

Break Down Chores

Break down all chores into smaller tasks to be completed. If you can, continue to provide visuals for the smaller steps until they are learned. For example, if the chore is to load the dishwasher, have a picture of glasses to indicate all the glasses should be loaded first, then plates and so on.

Provide Rewards to Reinforce Habits

The use of rewards can be extremely effective for neurodivergent children. It does not need to be something huge, perhaps a favorite snack, special art supplies only available when chores are completed, a game, screen time, etc. Make sure to show a picture of the reward next to the chore so your child knows what they are working for.

Final thoughts

Life with a autisic child or child with ADHD can feel overwhelming, frustrating and full of worry. Please remember you are not alone. If you have any questions about parenting your neurodivergent child or if you would just like support from someone who truly understands the challenges and struggles you are facing on a daily basis, please connect for a free 30 minute chat.

If you need ideas about what kind of chores to give your child, check out our Chore List by Age.