Tools
Always reminding kids to do their chores? Download our free chore chart checklists for kids and teens!
As a parent, it’s easy to see the benefits of assigning chores to your kids. Not only does it ease your own workload, chores help teach your kids practical skills, build a strong work ethic, and increase their level of responsibility as they mature. While kids may not be so easily convinced on the merits of household chores, they can surely appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes with doing a good job – even more so if it comes with an allowance.
Benefits aside, there’s no getting around the tricky part of getting your kids to do chores without a struggle. You may wonder: what are the most appropriate chores for your kids’ ages? Is it possible to assign too many (or too few)? How can you best communicate your expectations?
Mydoh’s handy chore charts can help simplify the process for both you and your kids. We’ve developed three age-based chore charts that list tasks most appropriate for seven- to nine-year-olds, 10- to 12-year-olds (tweens), and 13-and older (teens.) You can also make use of our handy seasonal charts for spring, summer, fall, and winter that list duties specific to each time of year.
Chore charts take the guesswork out of which chores to assign, and can relieve you from constantly reminding your kids to finish their tasks (something you both can appreciate.) Simply print off the relevant chore chart and indicate which chores need to be completed. You can even give your kids the option to choose their own so they feel more in control over what they have to do. Once each task is “checked off” on the chart, all that’s left is to thank them for a job well done.
Chores can be a great way to teach your kids and teens about responsibility and even boost kids’ self-esteem. But when it comes to keeping track of daily tasks, or remembering to take out the recycling each week, it can be hard for kids to stay on top of their responsibilities. That’s why a kids chore chart is a handy visual reminder of what needs to be done—and when.
10 free downloadable and printable chore charts for Kids
- Daily chore chart
- Weekly chore chart
- Visual chore chart
- Age-based chore charts
Chores for for kids ages 7-9
Chores for kids ages 10-12
Chores for kids ages 13+ - Seasonal chore charts
Spring chores
Summer chores
Fall chores
Winter chores
How to use a chore chart checklist
Who doesn’t enjoy that sense of satisfaction when you tackle an item on your to-do list? Help set your kids and teens up for success by printing off a list of their chores that they can tick off as they go.
Step 1: Choose from a range of chore charts for teens and kids below—from daily chores to weekly chores to a visual chore chart.
Step 2: Download or print off as many chore charts as needed and fill them in daily or weekly. Alternatively, you could create a reusable chore chart by simply laminating one of our chore checklists and using a dry erase marker!
1. Daily chore chart
Who’s doing the majority of the daily chores in your house? If it’s you, and you’re a parent of tweens and teens, you may want to consider recruiting your kids to help out.
It may seem overwhelming to itemize all the house chores you do every day, but when you clearly identify them, it makes it much easier for your tweens and teens to successfully get them done. (Hint: our daily chore chart checklist will help remind them!)
2. Weekly chore chart
Just when you think you’ve got your daily to-do list under control, you’re confronted with a whack of weekly household chores that also need doing. Assigning kids these bigger jobs, which often require more time and effort than everyday chores, is a great way to increase their responsibility as they grow older.
Getting your tweens and teens to help out with weekly house chores not only frees up your time but also encourages them to take pride in their home.
3. Visual chore chart
Should kids with disabilities do household chores? For many families, the answer is: absolutely! Not only do chores help give all kids a sense of independence, but helping with can also give children with disabilities a chance to actively contribute to the family when they may not often have the chance to help out.
To help adjust to what may be a change in their daily routine, use a visual schedule that features words and pictures.
4. Age-based chore charts
Mydoh’s handy chore charts can help simplify the process for both you and your kids. We’ve developed three age-based chore charts that list the best chores and tasks most appropriate for seven- to nine-year-olds, 10- to 12-year-olds (tweens), and 13-and older (teens.)
Chore chart for ages 7 to 9
Not sure whether your kids are old enough to do chores? Now is a great time to start if you haven’t already. By the age of seven, kids can concentrate more deeply on tasks and solve simple problems. While you may need to supervise them on some chores, other tasks can be performed independently—with your final approval, of course. Wondering where to start?
Here’s a handy chore chart listing age-appropriate tasks for seven- to nine-year-olds. Pick and choose the chores to assign, or give your kids the option to choose their own (just tell them how many they need to complete.)
Chore chart for ages 10 to 12
Welcome to the tween years. Kids this age are beginning to value their independence and sense of responsibility. It’s a good time to step up their household contributions with more advanced chores.
Keep in mind, while they may be eager to show they’re more grown-up, they’re often just as eager to question your rules. Finding ways to connect with your tween and maintaining consistent home routines are important. Assigning chores (independently and shared) can help. Set clear expectations on consistent tasks to help ensure a cooperative, and even positive, attitude from your tween.
This handy chore chart takes the guesswork out of choosing the right tasks for your tween. Pick and choose those that are most appropriate to your household, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Let your tween choose what they want to do and pick a few to do together!
Chore chart for ages 13+
The lives of teens can get hectic as they juggle school, work, extracurriculars, and socializing. Chores for teens can easily slide off their do-do list but it’s important to stay consistent in your expectations. This helps build a strong work ethic and earn extra money with a weekly allowance.
If you’ve assigned them chores since they were young, it’s time to increase the complexity and level of responsibility. This handy chore chart for teens can relieve you of constant reminders to get things done (something you both can appreciate). Print it off and simply indicate which chores need to be completed. Then let your teen check them off as they’re finished. All that’s left is to thank them for a job well done
5. Seasonal chore charts
As the seasons change, so can your kids’ household responsibilities. Their contributions not only help share the extra work that each season brings, it teaches them skills that will come in handy when they live on their own. Seasonal chores can replace some of their regular tasks, or be added on, and help add interest to their typical household routine. You’ll also want to decide whether additional season-specific chores earn extra allowance.
Spring chore checklist
Spring is it’s time to throw the windows open to let in the fresh air, scents, and sounds of a new season. While that might put a spring in the step of parents, teens and kids may take some convincing to see the benefit of a spring clean.
Now is the time to declutter after bunkering down for the winter. Make spring cleaning a breeze with this spring chore checklist and get the kids involved in pitching in around the house.
Summer chore checklist
Summer brings outdoor living into full swing, and with that comes a lot more upkeep outside the house as well as opportunities to tackle indoor projects. While spending more time under the sun is always something to look forward to, your kids may not share your enthusiasm in making your yard an oasis. Use this checklist to help make assigning summer chores easy and conflict-free.
Fall chore checklist
It’s autumn. The air has turned chilly and kids are back in school! The fall is often the busiest season for families with a return to routines and preparations under way for colder days, not to mention Thanksgiving, Halloween, and the festive holidays. Use this handy chore chart to get your kids to contribute to the new household routine, and lighten your load too.
Winter chore checklist
From relaxing by a cozy fireplace to skiing after a fresh snowfall, winter is the time for kids to equally embrace fun winter activities indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately, it’s also the season that tends to cause a lot of mess in the home, from slushy boots to smelly hockey equipment and long days inside when the temps dip well below freezing.
This handy winter chore chart takes the guesswork out of what needs to be done, making it easy to stay on top of winter chores with your kids’ help.
