23 chores for teenagers to build life skills & responsibility
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Highlights
Break chores into daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal categories for easy structure and smoother routines.
Give older teens more responsibility, like babysitting, grocery shopping, or managing kitchen cleanup after meals.
Chores can teach independence, time management, responsibility, and even money skills when tied to allowance.
Age-appropriate chore ideas include laundry, cooking, pet care, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, yard work, and more.
Getting teens involved in household responsibilities is about more than just lightening your to-do list. Chores are a chance to teach life skills, build confidence, and reinforce the idea that everyone in the home contributes.
The right chores for teens will depend on their age, maturity, and interests, but most are ready for more responsibility than we give them credit for. Whether they’re 13 or 17, you can start with basics like laundry or loading the dishwasher, then build up to tasks like grocery shopping or cooking dinner. This guide includes 23 great chore ideas for teenagers, organized by daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal responsibilities.
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23 best chores for teens
Make the bed
Change bedsheets
Clean their room
Vacuum floors
Take out the trash
Wash the dishes
Load and/or unload the dishwasher
Wipe down countertops
Help with cooking
Cook a full meal
Pack lunch or snacks
Feed and walk the pets
Mow the lawn
Rake leaves
Grocery shopping
Wash the car
Clean the bathroom
Deep-clean shared spaces
Clean windows
Sort and fold laundry
Clean out the fridge and freezer
Help with seasonal yardwork or cleaning
Babysit younger siblings
Chores. Allowance. They’re different for every family. That’s why we let you call the shots. Want to tie allowance to chores? Pay a percentage based on chore progress — or only if they’re all done. Prefer not to? Your house. Your rules.
Daily chores for teens
1. Make the bed
What this chore includes: Straightening sheets, smoothing blankets, fluffing pillows, and placing comfort items where they belong.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds a sense of routine and encourages ownership over personal space.
How often it should be done: Every morning
Tip for parents: Let teens personalize their space with pillows or decor to make the habit feel more enjoyable.
2. Wash the dishes
What this chore includes: Washing pots, pans, and other kitchen items that can’t go in the dishwasher.
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches patience, care, and pride in a job well done.
How often it should be done: Daily or after meals
Tip for parents: Let them listen to a podcast or music while they work to make it more enjoyable.
3. Load and/or unload the dishwasher
What this chore includes: Placing dishes, cups, and utensils in the correct spots, and unloading clean items once done.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds routine and helps them learn how to organize household tools.
How often it should be done: Daily
Tip for parents: Assign specific items to make it faster, like silverware or glassware.
4. Wipe down countertops
What this chore includes: Cleaning kitchen and bathroom counters with a sponge or cloth and safe cleaning products.
Why this chore is helpful: Keeps shared spaces sanitary and helps prevent buildup.
How often it should be done: Every day or after use
Tip for parents: Show them the difference between a quick wipe and a thorough clean to build good habits.
5. Pack lunch or snacks
What this chore includes: Choosing and packing food for school or activities, including healthy and filling options.
Why this chore is helpful: Reinforces daily planning and ownership of their own choices.
How often it should be done: Weekdays
Tip for parents: Offer a list of go-to options so they have easy choices to fall back on.
6. Feed and walk the pets
What this chore includes: Providing food and water, scooping waste, and walking dogs (if applicable).
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches empathy, responsibility, and the importance of a daily routine.
How often it should be done: Daily
Tip for parents: Set a reminder or alarm so they don’t forget, especially before or after school.
Weekly chores for teens
7. Vacuum floors
What this chore includes: Using a vacuum to clean carpet, rugs, or hard floors in bedrooms or shared spaces.
Why this chore is helpful: Encourages attention to detail and responsibility for cleanliness.
How often it should be done: Weekly
Tip for parents: Assign specific rooms so the job doesn’t feel overwhelming.
8. Take out the trash
What this chore includes: Emptying trash bins from bedrooms and bathrooms, tying bags, and bringing them outside for pickup.
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches follow-through and accountability.
How often it should be done: Weekly or as needed
Tip for parents: Create a shared chore calendar so everyone knows when it’s their turn.
9. Help with cooking
What this chore includes: Assisting with chopping, measuring, reading recipes, and stirring or prepping ingredients.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds kitchen confidence and introduces cooking basics.
How often it should be done: Weekly
Tip for parents: Make it collaborative, and try a themed dinner night to make it more fun.
10. Cook a full meal
What this chore includes: Planning a meal, preparing ingredients, cooking the food, and cleaning up afterward.
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches independence, nutrition awareness, and life skills.
How often it should be done: Weekly
Tip for parents: Provide guidance on choosing recipes and support as needed, but let them take the lead.
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11. Clean their room
What this chore includes: Picking up dirty laundry, putting items back in place, dusting furniture, and making surfaces clutter-free.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds responsibility and helps them feel more in control of their environment.
How often it should be done: Once a week
Tip for parents: Encourage teens to set a timer to keep cleaning sessions short and focused.
12. Clean the bathroom
What this chore includes: Scrubbing the toilet, sink, and bathtub, wiping mirrors, and replacing supplies.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds hygiene awareness and a sense of shared responsibility.
How often it should be done: Weekly
Tip for parents: Break the job into zones so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
13. Sort and fold laundry
What this chore includes: Sorting by color or fabric, folding clothes neatly, and putting them away.
Why this chore is helpful: Develops organization and long-term independence.
How often it should be done: Weekly
Tip for parents: Let them pick a podcast or music to make it more enjoyable.
14. Grocery shopping
What this chore includes: Following a list, selecting items, comparing prices, and checking out at the store.
Why this chore is helpful: Introduces budgeting, decision-making, and independence.
How often it should be done: Weekly or biweekly
Tip for parents: Set a budget and review the receipt together for a money lesson.
Monthly chores for teens
15. Change bedsheets
What this chore includes: Removing old sheets, replacing with clean ones, and properly storing laundry for washing.
Why this chore is helpful: Reinforces hygiene habits and prepares teens for dorm or apartment living.
How often it should be done: Monthly or every other week
Tip for parents: Let them pick out their own bedding. When they like the look, they’ll be more motivated to keep it clean.
16. Deep-clean shared spaces
What this chore includes: Cleaning hard-to-reach spots like baseboards, vents, and behind furniture.
Why this chore is helpful: Encourages pride in the entire home, not just personal spaces.
How often it should be done: Monthly
Tip for parents: Pair teens with siblings or trade tasks each month.
17. Clean windows
What this chore includes: Using a safe, streak-free cleaner on interior windows and wiping dry.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds focus and helps improve the home’s appearance.
How often it should be done: Monthly or seasonally
Tip for parents: Have them check their work in natural light to spot streaks.
18. Clean out the fridge and freezer
What this chore includes: Tossing expired items, wiping down shelves, and restocking in an organized way.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds awareness of food waste and organization.
How often it should be done: Monthly
Tip for parents: Turn it into a quick game, such as “Who can find the oldest item?”
19. Wash the car
What this chore includes: Spraying, soaping, rinsing, drying, and even vacuuming the interior.
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches attention to detail and care for shared property.
How often it should be done: Monthly or as needed
Tip for parents: Offer a checklist to keep the process thorough and fun.
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Seasonal or occasional chores for teens
20. Mow the lawn
What this chore includes: Mowing the front or backyard and cleaning up any stray clippings afterward.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds responsibility and physical awareness.
How often it should be done: Weekly during growing seasons
Tip for parents: Go over safety basics together before handing over the mower.
21. Rake leaves
What this chore includes: Using a rake to gather fallen leaves into piles and bag them up.
Why this chore is helpful: Teaches patience and how to work with the seasons.
How often it should be done: Weekly in the fall
Tip for parents: Turn it into a challenge, like timing how long it takes or rewarding extra effort.
22. Help with seasonal yardwork or cleaning
What this chore includes: Washing patio furniture, organizing storage bins, or pulling weeds.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds work ethic and a connection to the household.
How often it should be done: Seasonally
Tip for parents: Make it a family clean-up day with a treat afterward.
23. Babysit younger siblings
What this chore includes: Watching siblings, preparing meals, helping with homework, and handling bedtime routines.
Why this chore is helpful: Builds trust, leadership, and a deeper sense of responsibility.
How often it should be done: As needed
Tip for parents: Start with short shifts while you're nearby, and grow their independence over time.
How to make a chore plan that works
The best plan is the one your kids will actually do (and you can track with minimal effort). Use a chore and allowance app to automate the whole process. For example, the Greenlight app lets you assign chores, set allowance and rewards, and give your teen real-world earning experience, all from one app. It’s a smart way to build life skills, boost confidence, and bring more structure to your family routines.
Important life skills teens can learn through chores
Teenagers may not always admit it, but chores offer a lot more than clean rooms and empty trash bins. Household tasks help build:
Responsibility: When teens own a task from start to finish, they learn to take initiative and follow through.
Time management: Juggling chores with school, extracurriculars, or part-time jobs builds real-world scheduling skills.
Financial literacy: If you tie chores to an allowance, your teen can start budgeting, saving, and spending mindfully.
Problem-solving: Many chores come with unexpected challenges. For example, figuring out how to clean a spill or unclog a vacuum.
Confidence and independence: Learning life skills now prepares them to handle more complex responsibilities later, like college or living on their own.
Smart tips to help motivate your teen
Sometimes, teens need a little nudge to stick with a chore routine. These tips can help:
Let them choose from a short list of options. Giving them some control goes a long way.
Make it collaborative. Doing chores alongside them can make it feel less like a punishment.
Create a checklist or visual tracker so they can see progress.
Rotate or switch things up to avoid burnout or boredom.
Use an app like Greenlight to assign chores, track progress, and tie them to allowance or rewards.
Celebrate wins, whether it’s a clean bathroom or a successful dinner cooked solo.
Help teens build financial literacy through chores
With Greenlight, you can assign chores, set rewards, and give your teen real-world earning experience, all from one app. It’s a smart way to build life skills, boost confidence, and bring more structure to your family routines.
Teach money skills for life. Kids learn by doing — and Greenlight’s all-in-one family app helps you weave money management into daily life. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†
Both you and your kids download the Greenlight app — with tailored experiences. They check off chores, you automate allowance. They spend wisely, you set flexible controls. They build healthy financial habits, and you cheer them on.
This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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