30 Chore Ideas for Kids (That They'll Actually Do)

When chores turn into a daily battle, it's often because kids don't actually know what to do — or the tasks feel random. A clear, specific list of chore ideas for kids fixes that. Here are 30 chores grouped by area, plus how to make them stick. Pick a handful that fit your child's age and your household.

Kitchen

• Set the table before meals
• Clear their own plate and cup
• Load or unload the dishwasher
• Wipe down the table after eating
• Put away groceries from low shelves

Bedroom

• Make the bed each morning
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper
• Tidy toys into bins before bed
• Put clean laundry away in drawers
• Keep the floor clear enough to vacuum

Bathroom

• Hang up their towel
• Wipe the sink after brushing teeth
• Refill the toilet paper
• Put away bath toys

Living areas

• Straighten the couch cushions
• Dust low shelves
• Water the houseplants
• Sort mail into a tray
• Vacuum or sweep a room

Outdoor & garage

• Rake leaves
• Pull weeds from a garden bed
• Sweep the porch or steps
• Help wash the car
• Bring in the mail

Pets

• Fill the food or water bowl
• Walk the dog (with supervision for younger kids)
• Brush the pet
• Clean up the yard

Getting-ready

• Pack their own school bag
• Lay out tomorrow's clothes

That's 30 — enough to build a weekly rotation without repeating the same task every day.

How to make chores actually stick

• Match the task to the age. A 4-year-old can carry a plate; a 12-year-old can run the dishwasher. Our age-by-age chore chart shows what's realistic at each stage.
• Make it visible. Kids do what they can see. A chart on the fridge — or an app they check themselves — beats a task list in your head.
• Reward effort, not perfection. A lumpy made bed still counts. You're building a habit, not inspecting a hotel.
• Keep a rotation. Swapping tasks weekly stops boredom and spreads the less-fun jobs fairly.

Turn the list into a routine

KidBoard lets you assign these chores to each kid, set which days they repeat, and let kids check them off and submit proof you approve — earning points or allowance as they go. The list becomes a daily rhythm instead of a nagging session. Try KidBoard free.