Realistic chores Put dirty clothes in the hamper (one at a time, with prompting) Put toys in a labeled bin at cleanup time Carry their unbreakable plate to the counter after meals Wipe up a small spill with a cloth Help feed pets (scoop a pre-measured cup into the bowl) Put books on a low shelf Start dressing themselves (with help) Help unload light groceries from a bag "Dust" baseboards with a sock on their hand Clean up one activity before starting the next Notes for parents No payment, no chart yet — invitations, not requests. Effusive praise tends to backfire by age 6. Warm acknowledgment works. Refusal isn't defiance — it's usually hunger, tiredness, or testing the rule. tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 2-3 Realistic chores Make their bed (covers pulled up, pillows roughly in place) Get dressed independently Brush teeth (parent still does the real follow-up brush) Set the table — napkins, silverware, plates (no glasses yet) Clear their own plate after meals Put away laundry once you've folded it Put dirty clothes in the hamper without prompting Feed pets a pre-measured scoop Water indoor plants Match socks from clean laundry Make a simple snack (cereal, yogurt, peel a banana) Empty small trash cans into the kitchen bin Wipe the bathroom sink with water + cloth only (no chemical cleaners) Notes for parents 2-3 daily chores at predictable times. No 10-item chart yet. Sticker charts can work briefly — expect the honeymoon to fade by week 3. AAPD: kids still need an adult follow-up brush until they can tie shoes or write cursive (~age 7). tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 4-5 Realistic chores Make their bed to a real standard Pack their own school lunch (with a checklist) Unload non-sharp items from the dishwasher Load the dishwasher at 7+ with an adult placing knives point-down Make own breakfast on weekends (cereal, toast, microwave oatmeal) Take out small bathroom + bedroom trash bins Sweep with a kid-sized broom Vacuum a single room (stick vacuum is easier than upright) Wipe kitchen counters Help unload non-fragile groceries Sort and fold simple flat items (washcloths, dish towels, socks) Feed and water pets independently (with reminders for timing) Walk the dog on a short supervised route (older end) Tidy and dust their own bedroom Bring in the mail Set and clear the full table including glasses Notes for parents 4-6 daily chores + 1-2 weekly on a visible chart. Dishwasher pods stay locked away — top elementary-age detergent injury source. Start the "chores you do because you live here" vs "money is a separate skill" conversation here. tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 6-8 Realistic chores Run their own laundry start to finish (sort, wash, dry, fold, put away) Cook simple meals with an adult in the kitchen (eggs, grilled cheese, pasta) Plan and help shop for one family dinner per week Clean a bathroom using kid-safe products (vinegar, soap, water — NOT bleach) Rake leaves, weed, bag yard clippings, sweep walkways Take full responsibility for a pet (feeding, water, walking, cleanup) Vacuum the whole house Change own bed sheets weekly Keep a younger sibling company in the same room while a parent is one room away (NOT babysitting) Manage their own homework and assignments (parent checks; kid executes) Wash dishes by hand Take recycling/trash to the curb Iron simple items with adult supervision Clean up after a creative project; keep their own desk tidy Notes for parents NO power mowers — CPSC + AAP set the floor at 12 for any walk-behind mower, 16 for riding. Babysitting per AAP starts at 12. Don't skip ahead here. Ownership ("you are responsible for the dog") lands better than 8 micro-tasks at this age. tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 9-11 Realistic chores Run washer + dryer start to finish independently (the AAP's 12-yr-old benchmark) Operate a walk-behind power mower (push or self-propelled). Riding mowers still wait until 16. Plan and prepare a full family dinner with shopping Babysit younger siblings — start with parents in the building Manage a small budget (phone share, clothes budget) Yard work + snow shoveling (take breaks; warm up) Wash the car Check tire pressure + oil dipstick. Engine off, cold, parking brake on. Deep-clean their own room (real cleaning, not tidying) Pet care fully independently — including making the vet appointment Run errands alone within walking/biking range Manage their own school commitments + teacher communications Notes for parents Sit down annually and write a chore agreement together. Point at the agreement, not the kid. EF develops well into the 20s. Standing expectations + consistent consequences = follow-through. Allowance becomes a meaningful budgeting teaching tool at this age. tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 12-14 Realistic chores All laundry, room, school commitments, social schedule — independently Make + keep own appointments (doctor, dentist, haircut, DMV) Refill own prescriptions; know own allergies + medical history Cook for family ≥1×/week with planning + shopping Manage a job + the logistics (taxes, schedule, transport) Own banking: checking, debit card, basic budgeting Help younger siblings with homework + transportation Take ownership of a household system (meal planning, family calendar, errand-running) Drive self + sometimes siblings (check graduated-license passenger rules) Manage college / post-grad prep (applications, FAFSA, deadlines) Pre-register to vote at 16-17 where state allows Notes for parents Mott Children's Hospital: half of parents say their 18-year-old still can't make a doctor's appointment. Start at 15. Pick a household domain they OWN. Real responsibility, not a list of asks. Practice for adult roommate dynamics. You're 2-4 years from this kid living somewhere else. tasktroll.org · Chore Chart Bundle Ages 15-17