A guide for parents

Age-appropriate chores: what kids can do from 2 to 14+

By Léo, dad and maker of Famipal · Updated November 11, 2026

Can a 4-year-old really make their bed? Can a 9-year-old empty the dishwasher? Here’s what kids can manage at each age, how to teach a new chore without redoing it behind them, and what to do when they refuse.

In short: the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests starting around age 2 or 3 with simple jobs like putting toys away. By 7 to 9, a child can empty the dishwasher and help make dinner. By 10 to 11, change their sheets or clean the bathroom. What matters isn’t the full list, but one or two chores they really get right.

Chores for each age

Every child grows at their own pace. Read this table as a list of ideas, not a test.

Age	What they can do
2–3	Put toys away, help put the shopping away, get dressed with a little help.
4–5	Feed the pet with you, make their bed (maybe not perfectly), clear their own plate.
6–7	Wipe the table, put clean laundry away, sweep, pack their school bag.
8–9	Load and empty the dishwasher, help cook dinner, pack their own snack.
10–11	Change their sheets, clean the kitchen or bathroom, take out the recycling, help in the garden.
12–13	Wash the car or their bike, keep an eye on a younger sibling for a while, run a load of laundry.
14+	Do part of the food shopping, run errands to the post office or pharmacy, cook a simple meal.

Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “Chores and Children” (2018), adapted to everyday life in Switzerland.

Why it’s worth it

According to the AACAP, research links chores started around age 3 with higher self-esteem, a stronger sense of responsibility and better frustration tolerance. In practice, a regular chore teaches a child to:

manage their time and get organised;
do their share in family life;
succeed at something, which counts double for a child who struggles at school;
become independent, long before they leave home.

And for parents, it’s a bit less to carry. Not straight away, but it comes.

How to teach a new chore

Show it once, slowly, explaining as you go.
Do it together the next time. They do it, you help.
Let them do it alone. Even if it’s not as good as yours. A wonky bed they made beats a perfect one you redid.
Praise the effort, not the result. Fix one thing at a time.

A chore that happens at the same moment every day (clearing up after dinner, tidying before the bath) quickly becomes a habit. Chores that keep changing, much less so.

How many chores?

Fewer than you think. Start with one or two chores per child, and add one when the first ones run on their own. With several kids, a weekly rotation stops the “it’s always me who…” arguments.

To keep track, our printable chore chart is free, with these ideas by age on the back.

What if they refuse?

Pick your battles. A messy room is not an emergency.
Keep the same rules. Expectations that change every week mostly create confusion.
Make it a game for the little ones: a song, a timer, a challenge.
Look for the why. Too hard? Not understood? Tired? If the refusal lasts and gets worse, the AACAP suggests talking to your paediatrician.

For the bedroom in particular, here are 8 ideas to get kids to tidy up.

What about pocket money?

Swiss budget experts advise not paying for everyday chores and giving pocket money separately. The amounts by age are in our guide to pocket money in Switzerland.

Printable chore chart

A weekly chart to fill in, with chore ideas by age on the back. Free, no sign-up.

Download the PDF

Frequently asked questions

At what age should kids start doing chores?

From 2 or 3, with very simple tasks. At that age most children love to “help”. It’s the right moment to make it a habit.

Should girls and boys get the same chores?

Yes. Chores depend on age and on what the child can do, not on whether they’re a girl or a boy.

My 10-year-old barely does anything. Is it too late?

No. Start with a single chore they can manage, explain why you need their help, and stick with it for a few weeks before adding another.