Chore Chart for Pocket Money

Pocket money chores by the numbers

• US average weekly allowance: $12.98 across ages 5 to 19, per Greenlight's 2023 family finance survey. A 6-year-old averages $6.69/week, a 10-year-old averages roughly $10, and a 15-year-old averages $17.09/week.
• Half-your-age rule of thumb: a weekly allowance equal to about half the child's age in dollars. A 4-year-old earns ~$2/week, a 12-year-old earns ~$6/week. Easy to remember, easy to scale as kids get older.
• Age kids should start chores: a long-running University of Minnesota study by Marty Rossmann found that children who started chores at age 3 or 4 were the most likely to develop into successful young adults across measures of academics, work ethic, and relationships.
• Tasks per daily block: 2 to 3 tasks per morning, after-school, and evening block for ages 3 to 5, scaling up to 5 or 6 per block for ages 12 and up. More than 6 tasks at a time tends to overwhelm kids regardless of age.

What is the half-your-age allowance rule?

The half-your-age rule sets a child's weekly allowance at roughly half their age in dollars. A 6-year-old earns $3 a week, a 10-year-old earns $5, a 14-year-old earns $7. Many parents tie this to a small set of paid chores so the money is connected to work rather than handed out automatically. The rule scales naturally as kids grow and matches typical US averages reasonably well through age 12, though teens often earn more once they take on bigger jobs like lawn care or babysitting.

How many chores should a 5 year old have on a daily routine chart?

Five-year-olds do best with 2 to 4 tasks per daily block (morning, after-school, evening), for a total of 6 to 10 simple chores across the whole day. Mix unpaid routines (brush teeth, put pajamas in hamper, make the bed with help) with one or two paid extras (matching clean socks, watering plants). Keep each task under 5 minutes and use a visible picture chart so the child can check items off independently. Consistency matters more than the exact number.

Chore Chart Ideas by Age

Every age group has a different set of chores that match their motor skills and attention span. Here are specific ideas to get you started.

Chore Ideas for 3 and 4 Year Olds

At this age, chores are really about building habits. Three- and four-year-olds learn by copying, so do every chore alongside them. Good starters: putting toys in a bin after playtime, placing dirty clothes in the hamper, wiping up spills with a cloth, and helping water plants. Keep each task under 5 minutes.

Chore Ideas for 5 Year Olds

Five is the age where most kids can follow a simple chore chart independently. They can make their bed (it won't be magazine-ready, and that's fine), set the table before meals, sort laundry by color, feed the family pet, and put groceries on low shelves. A sticker chart on the fridge works well because they can see their progress building up each day.

Chore Ideas for 6 to 9 Year Olds

School-age kids can handle multi-step tasks. Six- and seven-year-olds can pack their own lunch, sweep floors, and fold their laundry. Eight- and nine-year-olds can load the dishwasher, clean a bathroom, and help prepare simple meals. This is the age where you can introduce paid "extra" chores on top of unpaid family duties.

Chore Ideas for 10 to 12 Year Olds

Preteens are ready for real responsibility. They can cook simple meals, do their own laundry from start to finish, mow the lawn, and babysit younger siblings for short stretches. Give them ownership over which paid tasks they take on each week. Autonomy keeps them motivated.

Chore Ideas for Teens (13 to 17)

Teens should be practicing the life skills they'll need in a few years. Cooking dinner for the family, grocery shopping with a list and budget, basic home repairs, yard maintenance, and managing their own schedule all count. The chores at this age look less like "helping out" and more like adult competence.

Daily Routine Chore Chart by Age

A daily routine chart breaks tasks into morning, after-school, and evening blocks so kids know what to do and when. The structure reduces arguments and builds independence faster than a random chore list.

Daily Routine for Ages 3 to 5

Morning: Get dressed, brush teeth, put pajamas in hamper, eat breakfast, put plate on counter. After school/nap: Put shoes by the door, unpack bag, help set up snack. Evening: Put toys in the bin, dirty clothes in hamper, pick out tomorrow's outfit, brush teeth, storytime.

At this age, keep routines visual. A picture chart on the wall works better than a written list. Three to five tasks per block is the max before they lose focus.

Daily Routine for Ages 6 to 9

Morning: Make bed, get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast, pack school bag and lunch. After school: Unpack bag, put lunchbox in kitchen, homework, one household chore (sweep, vacuum, or wipe counters). Evening: Set the table, clear dishes, prepare clothes for tomorrow, reading time, bedtime routine.

Six- to nine-year-olds can follow a written checklist. Tape it to their door or the fridge. When they can check items off themselves, you stop being the reminder.

Daily Routine for Ages 10 to 12

Morning: Make bed, get ready independently, check school schedule, pack what they need. After school: Homework first, then 20 to 30 minutes of household tasks (dishes, laundry, tidying common areas). Evening: Help with dinner prep or cleanup, pack bag for tomorrow, personal hygiene, wind-down time.

Preteens are ready to own their routine without a visual chart on the wall. A simple checklist app or notebook works. The goal shifts from compliance to self-management.

Daily Routine for Teens (13 to 17)

Morning: Full self-management - ready for school on time, breakfast handled, room presentable. After school: Homework and study schedule, one family contribution (cooking, errands, yard work), personal responsibilities (laundry, car maintenance if applicable). Evening: Kitchen cleanup after dinner, prep for next day, manage their own bedtime.

Teens who follow a daily routine at home adjust faster when they move out. By 16, the routine should look like what they will do as an adult living alone - because that is exactly the point.

Chore Chart Rewards That Actually Work

Money is the most popular chore reward, but it's not the only option. The best reward systems use a mix of incentives that match your child's age and interests.

Money Rewards

Paying per chore teaches kids the direct connection between work and earning. Use the chart builder above to set a dollar amount for each task. The pay scale table shows what most families pay by age. Combine this with an allowance splitter to teach saving and spending habits at the same time.

Penny Time connects chore completion to real allowance deposits, so kids see the direct link between work and earnings.

Non-Money Rewards

Younger kids often respond better to non-money rewards. Ideas that work well:

• Choose what's for dinner one night
• Extra 15 minutes of screen time
• Family movie night pick
• Stay up 15 minutes past bedtime
• Pick the weekend activity
• Special one-on-one time with a parent
• Friend sleepover

Point Systems

A point system works like a household currency. Each chore earns points, and kids "spend" points on rewards from a menu you create together. This teaches delayed gratification -- saving up 50 points for a big reward instead of cashing in 10 points for a small one. It's the same skill that makes adults better with money.

Why Chores and Pocket Money Work Together

A landmark study from the University of Minnesota followed children for over 20 years and found that the single best predictor of a young adult's success wasn't IQ or family income -- it was whether they started doing household chores at age 3 or 4.

When you connect chores to pocket money, you add a second lesson on top of responsibility: the link between effort and earning. T. Rowe Price found that 66% of parents who regularly talk to their kids about earning money report their children have stronger saving habits than peers who miss those conversations. Kids who earn their pocket money through specific tasks learn to budget, save toward goals, and make trade-offs -- skills that stick well into adulthood.

Setting Up a Chore Pay Scale

The simplest approach is to split chores into two groups. Family duties -- making the bed, clearing plates, keeping their room tidy -- are expected and unpaid. Extra tasks -- washing the car, deep-cleaning a room, mowing the lawn -- are paid at an agreed rate. This two-track system teaches both responsibility and the value of work.

When setting amounts, start low and increase with age. A 6-year-old might earn $0.75 for vacuuming one room, while a 14-year-old earns $4 for mowing the entire lawn. The chart builder above lets you customize every amount so you can match your family's budget exactly.

Making It Stick

Consistency matters more than motivation. Same chores, same days, same pay. Print the chart and put it where everyone can see it -- the fridge is ideal. When the rules are visible and agreed upon, you stop being the enforcer and the chart does that job for you.

What Chores Should Kids Do at Every Age?

Kids can start helping around the house earlier than most parents expect. The key is matching the task to the child's physical ability and attention span. Here is a practical breakdown by age group.

Ages 3 to 5: Building the Habit

Toddlers and preschoolers learn by doing things alongside you. Keep tasks short, physical, and easy to see when they are done. Do not expect perfection. The point at this age is routine, not results.

• Put toys back in the bin after playtime
• Place dirty clothes in the hamper
• Wipe up small spills with a cloth
• Help water plants with a small watering can
• Put shoes by the door
• Stack books on a shelf
• Sort clean socks by color

Ages 6 to 8: Working Independently

Kids this age can follow a checklist without constant supervision. They are ready for multi-step tasks and can remember a short routine if it stays consistent each day.

• Make their bed each morning
• Pack their own school lunch
• Sweep the kitchen floor
• Take out the trash
• Fold and put away their laundry
• Set and clear the dinner table
• Vacuum one room

Ages 9 to 11: Real Responsibility

At this stage, kids handle multi-step chores and can manage a weekly routine with minimal reminders.

• Load and unload the dishwasher
• Clean the bathroom (sink, mirror, toilet)
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Prepare simple meals or snacks
• Walk the dog
• Rake leaves or pull weeds
• Do their own laundry from start to finish

Ages 12 to 14: Earning Trust

Preteens and young teens are ready for tasks that require judgment, not just effort. These chores build the life skills they will need soon.

• Cook a full meal for the family
• Mow the lawn
• Deep-clean a room
• Babysit younger siblings for short periods
• Wash and vacuum the car
• Help with grocery shopping using a list

Ages 15 and Up: Practicing Adulthood

Teens should be doing chores that mirror the tasks they will handle when they live on their own. The goal is competence, not just compliance.

• Plan and cook meals for the week
• Grocery shop on a budget
• Handle basic home repairs
• Maintain the yard independently
• Deep-clean the kitchen and bathrooms
• Manage their own laundry, room, and schedule

How Much Should You Pay Kids for Chores?

There is no single right number, but most families land in a predictable range. Greenlight's 2024 data reports that the average allowance across ages 5 to 19 is $12.98 per week. Whether you pay a flat weekly amount or price each chore individually, the amounts below give you a starting point.

Per-Chore Pricing

Paying per chore teaches kids that harder or longer tasks earn more. A simple way to set prices:

• Quick tasks (under 10 minutes): $0.50 to $1. Making the bed, wiping down a table, taking out trash.
• Medium tasks (10 to 30 minutes): $1 to $3. Vacuuming, cleaning a bathroom, folding laundry.
• Big tasks (30+ minutes): $3 to $5 or more. Mowing the lawn, deep-cleaning the kitchen, washing the car.

Adjust up for older kids and down for younger ones. A 7-year-old vacuuming one room might earn $0.75, while a 14-year-old doing the same job earns $1.50 because you expect a better result.

For a detailed price list organized by task and age, see the chore chart with prices tool.

Weekly Flat Rate vs. Per-Chore Pay

Some families prefer a flat weekly allowance tied to completing all assigned chores. Others price each task separately so kids can earn more by doing extra work. Both approaches work. The flat rate is simpler to manage. Per-chore pay gives kids more control over their earnings and teaches them that effort scales.

Whichever method you choose, be consistent. Changing the system every few weeks confuses kids and undermines the lesson. Pick one approach, try it for a month, and adjust amounts if needed.

Should All Chores Be Paid?

Most child development experts and financial educators recommend splitting chores into two categories rather than paying for everything.

Unpaid Family Duties

These are baseline responsibilities every family member handles. They are not optional and they do not earn money. Examples:

• Making their bed
• Putting dishes in the sink or dishwasher
• Keeping their room clean
• Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
• Clearing their plate after meals

The lesson here is simple: you contribute to the household because you are part of the family, not because you are getting paid.

Paid Extra Tasks

These go beyond the basics. They take more time, more effort, or are tasks the family would otherwise pay someone else to do. Examples:

• Mowing the lawn
• Deep-cleaning a room
• Washing the car
• Babysitting younger siblings
• Yard work (raking, weeding, trimming)

The lesson here: work beyond what is expected earns money. This two-category system teaches both responsibility and the connection between effort and earning. For a deeper look at the pros and cons, read the chores vs. no chores guide.