1How old is your child?
2Pick the chores
Missing a chore? Add your own
Pick an icon for it, then type the chore.
3Choose the days
- 🛏️ Make the bed
- 🧹 Tidy the bedroom
- 🪥 Brush teeth morning and night
- 🍽️ Set the table
4Make it theirs
My Chore Chart
Name: ______________
| Chore | M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make the bed | |||||||
| Tidy the bedroom | |||||||
| Brush teeth morning and night | |||||||
| Set the table |
🏆 My reward: ______________________________
Check off each chore when it's done. Full row = high five!
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How to use the chore chart maker
- Pick an age. The chore list updates to age-appropriate suggestions, so a 4-year-old isn't assigned the lawn.
- Choose chores and days. Tap chores to add them, then turn days on or off per chore. Not every chore needs to happen daily.
- Download it. Add your child's name, download the PDF, and print it at home. Stick the chart somewhere the whole family sees it. You can also email it to yourself or copy a link to share it.
Age-appropriate chores for kids
The fastest way to sink a chore chart is a chore your child can't actually do alone yet. Here's what tends to work at each age, and it's the same list the builder suggests:
Ages 3 to 4
Keep it playful. At this age a chore is a game you play together, not a job they own.
- 🧸 Put toys in the bin
- 📚 Put books back on the shelf
- 🪥 Brush teeth
- 🧺 Put dirty clothes in the hamper
- 🐶 Feed the pet (with help)
- 🍽️ Help set the table
- 🪴 Water a plant
- 👟 Put shoes by the door
Ages 5 to 6
Little kids love real responsibility. Short, visible tasks with a clear finish work best.
- 🛏️ Make the bed
- 🧹 Tidy the bedroom
- 🪥 Brush teeth morning and night
- 🍽️ Set the table
- 🥣 Clear own plate
- 🐶 Feed the pet
- 🧦 Sort socks from the laundry
- 🎒 Pack the school bag
- 🪴 Water the plants
- 🛒 Put away groceries (light items)
Ages 7 to 8
Ready for routines they own start to finish, with a reminder here and there.
- 🛏️ Make the bed
- 👕 Get dressed on time
- 🍽️ Empty the dishwasher
- 🗑️ Take out small trash bins
- 🧺 Fold and put away own laundry
- 🧹 Sweep the kitchen floor
- 🎒 Pack the school bag
- 🐶 Feed and water the pet
- 🥕 Help with dinner prep
- 📖 Practice reading or homework
Ages 9 to 11
Old enough for chores that help the whole family, not just their own room.
- 🛏️ Make the bed
- 🧹 Vacuum a room
- 🍽️ Load and unload the dishwasher
- ♻️ Take out the trash and recycling
- 🧺 Fold laundry for the family
- 🐕 Walk the dog
- 🍳 Help cook one meal
- 🍂 Rake leaves or help in the yard
- 🧼 Clean the bathroom sink
- 📖 Homework without reminders
Ages 12 and up
Teens can handle almost any household task. The challenge is consistency, not ability.
- 🧹 Keep own room clean
- 🧺 Do own laundry start to finish
- 🍳 Cook a family meal
- 🌿 Mow the lawn
- 🚗 Wash the car
- 🧼 Deep clean the bathroom
- 🧒 Babysit a younger sibling
- 🛒 Grocery run or help with the list
- 🗑️ Take bins to the curb
- 🧽 Clean the kitchen after dinner
Three tips to make the chart stick
- Start smaller than feels right. A chart with three chores that gets completed builds momentum. A chart with eight teaches your child to ignore it.
- Anchor the check-in. Tie checking the chart to something that already happens every day, like right before dinner. Charts die when nobody has a fixed moment to look at them.
- Let them own the wins. Your child checks the box themselves. The little ritual of marking a chore done is half the motivation.
Want the deeper version? Read our guide on how to get kids to do chores without nagging or why chores teach kids responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
What chores are right for my child's age?
As a rule of thumb: toddlers (3 to 4) can put toys away and help with simple tasks alongside you. Ages 5 to 6 can make their bed and set the table. Ages 7 to 8 can handle laundry basics and empty the dishwasher. Ages 9 to 11 can vacuum, take out the trash, and help cook. Teens can do almost any household task, including their own laundry and full meals. The builder above suggests chores for each age so you don't have to guess.
How many chores should be on the chart?
Fewer than you think. Three to five chores works for most kids; toddlers do best with just two or three. A short chart your child completes every day beats a long one they abandon by Wednesday. You can always add more once the routine sticks.Learn more: How to get kids to actually do chores →
Should kids get paid for chores?
Many families split the difference: some chores are just part of being in the family, and extra chores earn money or rewards. Research and parenting experts land in different places, so pick the approach that matches your values. Our allowance calculator shows how other US families split it.Learn more: Try the allowance calculator →
What do I do when the chart stops working after two weeks?
That's normal, not a failure. The usual causes are too many chores, no fixed moment to check the chart, or the novelty wearing off. Shrink the list, tie the check-in to something that already happens daily (like dinner), and refresh the chart with new chores or a new look. Reprinting a fresh chart with your child often restarts the momentum.
How can I reuse the chart each week?
Three easy options: print a fresh copy each week, slip the chart into a plastic sleeve and use a dry-erase marker, or laminate it. The printed chart has an empty box for each day, so one page covers a full week.
At what age should we start a chore chart?
Around age 3 most kids can start with one or two playful tasks, like putting toys in a bin. If your child is younger than 5, a sticker-style reward chart with a single goal usually works better than a full chore grid.Learn more: Make a reward chart instead →