Chores for Kids by Age: What Can My Child Do?
Can you please …? – In a minute! If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. I'm Nico, dad of two boys from Austria, and it was exactly the same in our house. At some point I asked myself: what can I actually expect from my kids? Here's the list we came up with, sorted by age.
In short
Children from around 3 can take on small chores, like putting toys away or carrying their plate to the kitchen. Each year adds a bit more. By 10 to 12, many kids can make simple meals, vacuum or clean the bathroom. More important than the exact list are three things: a few fixed chores, clear expectations and recognition when something is done.
Why chores are good for kids
It's not about offloading work. Kids who help learn: I'm needed, and I can do things. They pick up skills they'll need later anyway. And the family becomes a team instead of one parent tidying up after everyone.
Honestly: at first, everything takes longer when kids help. That's normal. It's still worth it.
Chores for kids aged 3 to 4
At this age, kids often want to help on their own. Make use of that. Keep chores short and do them together.
- Put toys back in their boxes
- Bring dirty clothes to the laundry basket
- Carry their own plate and cup to the sink
- Sort socks by colour
- Water plants with a small watering can
- Hand out napkins or spoons when setting the table
Tip: Do the chore together at first. Perfection doesn't matter here – joining in does.
Chores for kids aged 5 to 6
Now kids can do chores on their own, as long as they're clearly explained.
- Set and clear the table
- Make their own bed (no hotel standards required)
- Feed the pet
- Line up their shoes
- Fold laundry: socks, towels, underwear
- Unpack groceries and put simple items away
- Sweep up crumbs with a dustpan and brush
Tip: One chore a day is enough. Better one fixed chore that works than five that end in arguments.
Chores for kids aged 7 to 9
School-age kids can take responsibility over several days, for example with a fixed weekly chore.
- Empty the dishwasher
- Take out the rubbish and recycling
- Tidy their own room
- Pack their school bag
- Make a simple breakfast or packed lunch
- Dust
- Hang up the laundry
Tip: Explain once exactly what "done" means. "Room tidied" often means something different to kids than to parents.
Chores for kids aged 10 to 12
Now chores can make a real difference for the whole family.
- Vacuum
- Clean the bathroom or the sink
- Cook simple meals like pasta or scrambled eggs (agree on rules for the stove first)
- Put their own laundry in the washing machine
- Run small errands on their own
- Help younger siblings with a chore
- Mow the lawn or rake leaves, depending on the equipment and the child
Tip: Let your child have a say in which chores they take on. Kids who help decide are more likely to join in.
Making it work day to day
- A few chores, clearly agreed. Two or three a week are plenty to start with.
- Make it visible. A chore chart on the kitchen door or in an app shows who does what, so you don't have to keep reminding.
- Set a time. "After dinner, you clear the table" works better than "sometime today".
- Start together. Show a new chore two or three times together before your child does it alone.
- Appreciate instead of checking. An honest "Thanks, that really helped me" does more than any correction.
Reward, don't punish
Many parents wonder whether kids should be rewarded for chores. Our experience: small, visible progress motivates more than pressure. Points, stars or a family outing after a good week turn a duty into a goal.
What we deliberately don't do: take points away when something doesn't work out. Punishment tends to cause arguments rather than motivation. If a chore is left undone, there are simply no points – and tomorrow is a new day.
That's exactly the idea behind Punki: parents add chores, kids tick them off, and with every completed chore their own little world grows.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can kids help around the house?
Even 2- to 3-year-olds can do small things like putting toys away. Real independence usually comes at school age.
Should kids get paid for chores?
That's up to each family. Many keep the two separate: everyday chores are part of family life, and pocket money is given independently. Special extra jobs can be rewarded on top.
What if my child doesn't want to help?
First of all: completely normal. Fixed times, a small number of chores and a say in choosing them all help. Playful elements like points or a shared weekly goal help many kids stick with it.
How many chores make sense?
For younger kids, one chore a day. For older kids, two or three fixed chores a week plus small daily habits like clearing their own plate.
Punki turns chores into a game. Kids collect points and stars to build their own room, and parents keep track of everything. Punki is coming soon for iPhone and Android. Join the waitlist now and get 40% off your first annual subscription.
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