Free Printable Chore Charts for Kids (By Age Group)

A chore chart only works if the chores actually fit the kid. A four-year-old who's asked to scrub the bathroom will quit; a ten-year-old who's only asked to put toys away will get bored. Below is a practical list of age-appropriate chores for ages 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12, plus a free printable chore chart you can customize with your child's name and tasks, then print or save as a PDF.

Why chore charts work

Kids do better with visible expectations. A chart on the fridge or bedroom door turns chores into a shared agreement instead of a daily argument. It also makes wins visible: checking off boxes is genuinely motivating for most kids, especially when a completed week leads to a small reward — extra screen time, a family movie night, or a trip to the park. The chart is the rule, not you, which removes a lot of friction.

Chores for Ages 3–5 (Preschool)

At this age, chores are about building habits and confidence — not perfection. Keep tasks short, visual, and tied to play. Expect to help and to re-do work yourself; the point is the routine.

Put toys back in the bin
Place dirty clothes in the hamper
Carry their plate to the counter
Wipe up small spills with a cloth
Feed the pet (with help)
Match clean socks into pairs
Water a houseplant
Make the bed (pull up the comforter)
Pick up books and stack them

Chores for Ages 6–8 (Early Elementary)

Kids in this range can follow a written or picture-based chart, complete a short list independently, and start owning their personal space. Use the chart as a reference rather than a reminder you have to repeat.

Make the bed neatly
Get dressed and put pajamas away
Set or clear the table
Pack their school backpack the night before
Sweep the kitchen or entryway
Empty small trash cans
Help unload the dishwasher (non-breakables)
Fold washcloths, hand towels, and underwear
Wipe bathroom counters
Feed and water the pet on their own

Chores for Ages 9–12 (Tweens)

Tweens can handle multi-step chores, work without supervision, and contribute to chores that affect the whole family. This is also a great age to introduce kitchen and laundry skills they'll use for life.

Do a load of laundry start to finish
Load and run the dishwasher
Vacuum bedrooms or common areas
Take out the trash and recycling
Prepare a simple meal (sandwiches, pasta, eggs)
Clean the bathroom (sink, toilet, mirror)
Mow the lawn or rake leaves
Walk the dog
Help younger siblings with homework or bedtime
Pack lunch for the next school day

How to use the printable chore chart

Our chore chart generator is a free template you fill out in your browser — no signup, no download, no watermark. You can:

Type your child's name at the top so the chart feels like theirs.
Pick the number of chores (4, 6, 8, or 10) based on age and bandwidth.
Enter the exact chores from the lists above, or write your own.
Toggle a weekly reward row so the payoff is right on the chart.
Print on regular letter-size paper, or save as a PDF.

For little kids who can't read yet, write each chore on the chart and draw a small icon next to it (a bed, a toothbrush, a sock) so they can recognize each task on their own.

Tips for making chore charts stick

Start fewer than you think. Two daily chores done every day beats eight chores done once.
Same time every day. Tie chores to existing routines — after breakfast, before screen time, after dinner.
Don't redo their work. If a six-year-old makes a lumpy bed, that's a made bed. Re-doing it sends the message that their effort doesn't count.
Refresh the chart. Every month or two, swap in new chores so kids keep learning skills instead of running the same loop.

Related printables

Weekly chore chart generator — the customizable template described above.
Cleaning schedule — great for older kids and tweens who help with whole-house cleaning.
Habit tracker — for personal habits like reading, brushing teeth, or piano practice.
Reading log — pair with the chore chart for a "read for 20 minutes" daily task.

FAQ

How many chores should a child have per day?

For kids 3–5, one or two simple tasks is plenty. Kids 6–8 can usually handle two to four daily tasks, and tweens (9–12) can manage three to five — plus a couple of weekly chores. Start small and add as the routine sticks.

Should I pay kids an allowance for chores?

It's a personal choice. Many families split chores into two buckets: 'family contributions' that everyone does for free, and 'extra jobs' a child can choose to do for money. That keeps the message that helping out is just part of being in a family.

What if my child refuses to do their chores?

Keep the chart visible, keep expectations consistent, and avoid turning each chore into a negotiation. Natural consequences (no screen time until the chart is done, for example) usually work better than punishment. Praise effort, not just completion.