Chores for Teens (Ages 13–16)

Parents ask

What chores should a 13-year-old do?

Everything on the daily list, plus full ownership of one weekly job — their own laundry is the classic first one. At 13 most kids can run the dishwasher, take out the trash, clean a bathroom sink and cook something simple with an adult nearby. Start with fewer jobs done properly rather than a long list done badly.

How many chores should a teenager have?

A rough guide: two or three small daily jobs, ten to fifteen minutes in total, and one or two weekly jobs they fully own. School and sport come first in a busy week, so agree the list together and keep it short enough that it actually gets done.

What chores should a 15- or 16-year-old do?

The same daily and weekly jobs, done without reminders, plus the life skills: planning meals on a budget, cleaning out the fridge, basic mending, and phoning to book their own appointments. These are the jobs they will need on their own at 18, and they are far easier to learn while someone can still show them.

Should teens get paid for chores?

Many families split it: everyday contributions like the bed, the dishes and their own laundry are unpaid, because that is part of living in a house, while bigger extra jobs such as washing the car or yard work can earn money. Either way, agree the deal up front so payday is never a negotiation.