Chore Ideas for Younger Kids: Turning Responsibility into Fun (and Cash!)
Being a full-time working mom of young children can be a lot—like, “I need a vacation, but the laundry’s calling” kind of lot.
You wake up, get the kids ready for school, feed them, pack lunches, and then stand there, looking around at all the things that need to be cleaned, thinking, “If only there were more hours in the day…” Honestly, sometimes I just wish I could clone myself for a few minutes of peace—preferably with coffee in hand.
As a teacher, I spend all day with kids, and by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is more kid-related tasks—like cleaning up after them. I
’d love nothing more than to kick back on the couch and enjoy 30 minutes of silence… Yeah, right.
Enter the magic of chore charts, which, if done right, can actually be a win-win.
My kids always seem to be asking for money now that they’ve discovered hobbies like baseball, Pokémon cards, and endless sets of art supplies.
So, this past summer, I finally created a list of chores that actually worked—and best part?
My kids want to do them! (what my face looked like down below).
They each earn $5 a week when they complete their chores (that’s a lot of Pokémon cards!). Here’s a breakdown of 10 chores I assign to my 5 and 10-year-olds. Bonus: They each earn $1 per chore, five days a week—$5 a week for a little effort.
1. Pick Up Their Room
I know, I know—this one sounds too good to be true, but trust me, it works.
Every Sunday evening, I set a timer for five minutes, and boom—clean rooms.
Well, mostly.
I guide them through it, remind them what to pick up (like the mountain of Legos) and within five minutes, they’re good to go. This timer from is a game-changer, because nothing makes kids hustle like a ticking clock.
2. Take Their Laundry to the Laundry Room
Laundry night is Monday in our house. The kids don’t do the washing part (yet), but they do take their dirty laundry to the laundry room.
My 10-year-old now knows how to start his load, and my 5-year-old helps out by tossing her clothes in (with a little guidance).
They even switch it over from the washer to the dryer. And you know what? They’re actually proud of themselves. Cue confetti.
3. Pack Their Own Lunch
Who needs a personal chef when your kids are eager to dive into the pantry for lunch prep?
I let them pick their own snacks (with some supervision, of course) and pack their lunch.
It’s their chance to get creative—within the boundaries of “no, you can’t have just dessert.” I always let them pick 1 sweet and 1 treat.
4. Take the Trash Cans to the Road
Trash day is a family affair.
My son rolls the cans up the hill on Tuesday mornings, and my daughter takes out the small trash bags from the bathrooms the night before.
She also has learned how to replace the smaller trash bags, so no more overflowing cans! If you’re looking for a trash can that makes life easier, check out this auto-sealing trash can—because who has time to deal with stinky bags?
5. Empty Smaller Trash Cans
Related to the previous chore, my younger one takes the smaller trash cans from the bathrooms and empties them into the main trash bin.
I taught her that if there’s barely anything in the can, she can leave it for the next week. Less clutter, less stress!
6. Help Vacuum/Clean the Car
I love my kids… but the car? Not so much.
They eat in the car, they drop crumbs in the car, they somehow leave crumbs in places I didn’t even know existed.
Enter the car trash can, which has saved my life.
Bi-weekly, we head to the car wash where the kids vacuum, wipe down the car, and yes, even pressure wash the mats.
It’s actually fun for them (which is shocking, considering they’re cleaning their own mess).
7. Dust with a Duster
If there’s one thing my 5-year-old loves, it’s dusting.
No joke, I set the timer for 5 minutes, hand her a cheap duster (which, honestly, is more effective than it should be), and she goes to town.
She’ll dust everything from baseboards to window sills—and sometimes the walls. It’s a mini cleaning session that leaves her feeling proud and me dust-free.
8. Help Grocery Shop
This may not seem like a typical chore, but I’ve found it’s a great way to teach kids about budgeting (hello, math lessons!).
My son helps me round up the prices and calculate totals, and then they both help me load and unload the car.
When they’re not shopping with me, my daughter helps put the groceries in the cart. It’s a win for everyone!
9. Sweep Off the Front Porch or Deck
This one’s so easy, my 10-year-old does it in his sleep.
(Okay, not really—but you get it.)
He sweeps off the porch, tidies up the outdoor furniture, and even waters the plants. The only rule: No sweeping up the dog’s “surprises.”
10. Feed and Water the Pets
This is a daily task that rotates between the kids.
They take turns feeding our dog and making sure his water bowl stays full. It teaches responsibility (and helps me remember that yes, we have a dog).
It’s simple and helps them build a routine.
Chores shouldn’t be a source of stress for younger kids; they should be a way to teach them responsibility and the value of teamwork.
The best part? These chores can evolve as your kids get older, and soon you’ll have little helpers tackling more adult-like tasks.