Chores for 13 Year Olds
This is a standard chore list for teens. However, keep in mind that each child is unique and not all 13 year olds are ready for all chores on the list.
Chore List for 13 Year Olds
Here are some age appropriate chores for a 13 year old:
Bedroom:
- Make the bed each morning.
- Keep the bedroom tidy and organized.
- Put dirty clothes in the laundry hamper.
- Clean their own bedroom
- Change their bedding
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures (with a step stool and under supervision).
- Organize personal items like stationery and school supplies.
Laundry:
- Help with laundry by sorting clothes and folding them.
- Learn to operate the washing machine and dryer (under adult supervision).
- Load and transfer the laundry
- Put away clean clothes in their designated places.
- Fold clean laundry
- Learn to sew on buttons and make minor repairs to clothing.
- Sort laundry by fabric type and color, and manage more complex laundry settings.
Kitchen:
- Clear the table after meals.
- Load and unload the dishwasher.
- Wipe down kitchen surfaces and appliances.
- Clean up after a meal
- Set the dining table
- Make a snack or simple meal
- Dry dishes
- Clean the microwave and other small appliances.
Meal Preparation:
- Assist with simple meal preparation (with adult supervision).
- Make their own breakfast and lunch when possible.
- Help with meal prepping including simple cutting or peeling ingredients
- Bake cookies with supervision
- Prepare simple food such as scrambled or boiled eggs
- Organize the pantry or kitchen cabinets.
Trash and Recycling:
- Take out the trash and recycling regularly.
- Keep the area around the trash cans clean.
- Clean and disinfect trash cans.
- Manage household recycling system more efficiently.
Pets:
- Help with pet care, such as walking (if applicable).
- Feed pets
- Wash pets and clean up after them
- Brush and walk a dog
- Clean cat litter box
- Train pets on simple commands or tricks
Yard Work / Outdoors:
- Mow the lawn (if the child is capable and with proper guidance and supervision).
- Water plants and garden.
- Rake leaves
- Plant flowers
- Pull garden weeds
- Bring in the mail
- Sweep porches
- Trim hedges
- Bring garbage cans to the driveway or curb
- Assist in planning and executing small landscaping projects.
- Wash the car with supervision.
- Maintain garden tools and equipment.
Cleaning:
- Dust surfaces around the house.
- Sweep and mop the floors.
- Clean bathroom
- Vacuum or sweep the floor
- Empty small trash cans and take out trash
- Wipe the sinks
- Shine mirrors in the bathroom
- Clean the stovetop
- Maintain tidiness of own room
- Straighten family and playroom
- Set and clear dinner table without assistance
- Organize an entire room
- Vacuum the entire floor
- Clean out fridge
- Clean windows inside and out (where safe).
- Manage household inventory of cleaning supplies.
- Deep clean specific areas or appliances, like the oven.
Organizing:
- Help organize shelves and closets.
- Arrange books, toys, and belongings neatly.
- Strip bed linens once a week
- Sort recycling
- Pack bag for school without being told to do so
Errands:
- Accompany parents on simple errands (e.g., grocery shopping) and assist as needed.
- Unpack groceries
- Grocery shopping with a shopping list under supervision
Siblings:
- Help dress a younger child
- Entertain a younger sibling
- Help younger siblings with homework
- Babysit younger siblings while parents are at home
- Follow screen time rules and restrictions set by parents.
- Help with setting up and cleaning up electronic devices.
Self Care:
- Independently floss their teeth
- Set alarm clock and be responsible for waking up on time
- Fully accountable for self-hygiene
- Complete manageable homework unaided
- Plan and prepare a healthy weekly snack menu.
The chore list can be tailored to fit your child’s capabilities, interests, and family dynamics. It’s essential to communicate with your 13-year-old about their responsibilities and the importance of completing chores as part of contributing to the household. Offer praise and encouragement for a job well done, as positive reinforcement can help motivate them to take ownership of their tasks.
13 year olds are becoming independent young adults. Chores are a good way to teach them responsibility and independence. Some of the chores listed above can be too difficult for some kids. In such a case, it’s better for the parents to decide on what tasks the child should be doing.
Some examples of chores that might be challenging for some children are caring for pets or doing yard work. While other jobs like washing dishes or taking out the trash are simple enough and great ways to break them into the routine of household work. If your 13 year old is not yet ready to take on full responsibility for taking care of a pet you can supervise or check with them to ensure that they fed the pet or did whatever they were supposed to do. Some 13 years won’t need to be reminded at all. It all depends on the child and flexibility is the key.
Chore Charts for 13 Year Olds
We offer a selection of free printable and customizable chore chart templates for 13 year olds.