20 easy chores for 5-year-olds and families
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Highlights
Start with short, visual tasks, like matching socks or feeding pets, to build early momentum.
Make chores fun. Use music, challenges, or titles like “Snack Manager” to keep motivation high.
Use tools like visual checklists or chore apps to help 5-year-olds stay on track.
Praise effort over perfection. A crooked bed is still a win if they made it themselves!
Chores help kids feel responsible, confident, and included — and yes, even 5-year-olds can pitch in. The key? Keeping tasks simple, safe, and structured.
Want to make chore routines easier to manage? Tools like Greenlight’s Chores and Allowance feature help you assign tasks, track what gets done, and offer allowance and rewards all in one spot — so it’s easy to build good habits that stick.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of 20 age-appropriate chores for 5-year-olds, pulled from expert recommendations and real-world parenting wins. For each one, we break down what the task involves, when to do it, what your child can learn, and tips to make it safe and fun.
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20 age-appropriate chores for 5-year-olds
Make the bed
Put dirty clothes in the hamper
Feed the pets
Match socks
Set the table
Dust baseboards or low shelves
Help empty the dishwasher
Wipe down tables
Help fold towels
Take care of books
Clean up toys
Organize shoes
Help pack lunch or snack
Help bring in groceries
Water plants
Sweep with a mini broom
Pull weeds
Carry light bags
Clean windows with a water spray
Wipe down low surfaces
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.
1. Make the bed
What it involves: Pulling up the blanket, placing pillows at the top, and straightening any stuffed animals or comfort items.
How often: Daily (a great part of a morning routine)
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s one of the simplest ways to start the day with a win. Kids see a positive result right away, and it sets the tone for taking care of their space.
Tips for parents: Keep expectations realistic. A crooked blanket is still progress! Praise the effort vs. the neatness.
2. Put dirty clothes in the hamper
What it involves: Carrying used clothes from the floor, bathroom, or bedroom to a hamper or laundry basket.
How often: Daily
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: At this age, kids start recognizing patterns, like how laundry piles up! This chore reinforces that actions have consequences (and solutions).
Tips for parents: Make it easy. Use a fun, open bin they can reach. Consider labeling it with a picture or name if you have multiple kids.
3. Feed the pets
What it involves: Scooping pre-measured dry food or pouring water into bowls with supervision.
How often: Daily
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Caring for a pet teaches empathy, routine, and responsibility. Kids love having a “job” that matters, especially when it involves a furry friend.
Tips for parents: Prep the portion ahead of time or use a scoop with a fill line. Always supervise to make sure pets (and floors) stay safe and clean.
4. Match socks
What it involves: Sorting clean laundry to find matching sock pairs and laying them flat or folding them together.
How often: Weekly (laundry day!)
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It builds early math and sorting skills, while also giving kids a sense of accomplishment.
Tips for parents: Turn it into a game: “Can you find the stripes?” “Who’s the fastest sock matcher in the house?” Bonus — fewer lost socks for you.
5. Set the table
What it involves: Placing utensils, napkins, plates, and cups at each seat before a meal.
How often: Daily or as needed
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s a great way to feel included in mealtime prep. Plus, it helps develop sequencing, memory, and fine motor skills.
Tips for parents: Stick to kid-friendly (unbreakable) items, and use this as a chance to talk through simple etiquette, like where a napkin goes.
6. Dust baseboards or low shelves
What it involves: Using a microfiber cloth or duster to wipe along baseboards or furniture legs gently.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It gets them moving and crouching while improving coordination, and kids love the “mission” of finding dust in secret spots.
Tips for parents: No sprays needed. Just a damp cloth does the trick. Set a timer and turn it into a challenge: “Let’s see how many corners you can dust in 2 minutes!”
7. Help empty the dishwasher
What it involves: Unloading safe, lightweight items like plastic cups, plates, or kids' utensils and placing them in lower drawers.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s a true teamwork moment — one where they feel trusted and involved in a grown-up task.
Tips for parents: Sort items by type to make it easier, and always remove knives or breakables first. For extra fun, let your child “be the sorter.”
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8. Wipe down tables
What it involves: Using a damp cloth or paper towel to clean crumbs or spills after meals and crafts.
How often: Daily or as needed
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s super visual and introduces accountability. Kids see the “before and after,” which can be highly motivating.
Tips for parents: Keep wipes or cloths in a low drawer for easy access. You can say, “You’re the cleanup crew today!”
9. Help fold towels
What it involves: Folding hand towels, washcloths, or pillowcases and stacking them in a basket or drawer.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Folding helps improve fine motor skills and gives kids a chance to contribute to a family routine.
Tips for parents: Keep it light. The towels don’t need to be perfect. Show one simple fold and let them mimic it. Cheer their effort!
10. Take care of books
What it involves: Lining up books on a shelf or placing them in a book bin after reading.
How often: Daily
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Caring for books encourages respect for property and helps establish a love of reading.
Tips for parents: Designate a “reading home” where books always return. Labeling the bin or shelf with their name adds a personal touch.
11. Clean up toys
What it involves: Placing toys, blocks, or game pieces back into their bins or boxes.
How often: Daily
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: This one’s all about responsibility. It also supports sorting and pattern recognition as kids group similar toys together.
Tips for parents: Use color-coded or labeled bins to make cleanup easier. Try giving each bin a silly name to spark fun: “Time for the dinos to go back to Dino Den!”
12. Organize shoes
What it involves: Lining up family shoes in a row or placing them into a designated cubby or basket.
How often: Daily
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Encourages visual order and gives them a defined “zone” they can manage on their own.
Tips for parents: Make space kid-accessible and give them “shoe captain” status for extra motivation.
13. Help pack lunch or snack
What it involves: Choosing snacks from a list or helping put napkins, fruit, and water into a lunchbox.
How often: Daily (school days or outings)
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It supports independence and teaches them to think ahead about what they need each day.
Tips for parents: Prepare choices ahead so they can assemble, not decide. Try saying, “You’re the snack manager today.”
14. Help bring in groceries
What it involves: Carrying lightweight bags (like bread, cereal, or produce) from the car to the kitchen.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It builds physical strength and creates a sense of shared responsibility for family needs.
Tips for parents: Assign one or two bags to start. Let them “announce” what they carried in as they unpack to give them a sense of pride in their effort.
15. Water plants
What it involves: Pouring water from a small can or cup into indoor or outdoor plants.
How often: 2–3x per week (seasonal)
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Caring for something that grows fosters patience, empathy, and consistency.
Tips for parents: Use a marked watering cup to avoid overflows. Let them choose a “plant buddy” to watch over.
16. Sweep with a mini broom
What it involves: Sweeping up dirt, leaves, or crumbs from hard floors or patios using a kid-sized broom.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s a physical activity that develops balance and coordination while giving them a visible goal.
Tips for parents: Show them how to sweep into a small “target zone” like a dustpan or tape square.
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17. Pull weeds
What it involves: Removing small weeds from flower beds or sidewalks with fingers or a plastic trowel.
How often: Weekly (spring/summer)
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It introduces gardening basics and gives them a sense of responsibility for working with nature.
Tips for parents: Identify which weeds are safe to pull first. Gloves or a small bucket can help make it feel like “real” work.
18. Carry light bags
What it involves: Helping transport soft items like bread, fruit, or paper towels around the house.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: Carrying light loads builds confidence and encourages helpfulness.
Tips for parents: Give it a special title: “You’re on bag delivery today!” Even a quick trip to the pantry can feel important.
19. Clean windows with a water spray
What it involves: Spraying water on a window and wiping it down with a soft cloth or towel.
How often: Monthly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It’s active and satisfying. Kids love seeing the smudges disappear. It’s also great for hand-eye coordination.
Tips for parents: Only use water and keep them on low-level windows. Avoid chairs or stools to prevent falls.
20. Wipe down low surfaces
What it involves: Cleaning stool legs, door frames, or other low-traffic surfaces with a damp cloth.
How often: Weekly
Why it’s great for 5-year-olds: It introduces the idea that cleaning isn’t just one-time — it’s part of caring for your space regularly.
Tips for parents: Make a special “cleaning kit” with safe cloths, gloves, or spray bottles labeled just for them.
Are chores appropriate for 5-year-olds?
Yes! At this age, most kids are eager to help and more capable than we often give them credit for. With the right mix of structure and encouragement, chores can help kids:
Build independence and self-confidence
Learn responsibility and follow-through
Develop motor, memory, and life skills
Start small. Show how it’s done. Celebrate effort, not perfection.
What chores are not appropriate for 5-year-olds?
To keep things safe and stress-free, avoid these chores until kids are older:
Cooking on the stove or using appliances
Taking out heavy or dirty trash
Using scissors, knives, or tools
Walking the dog unsupervised
Lifting heavy items or moving furniture
How to make chores fun for younger kids
Chores don’t have to feel like, well, chores. Try these playful ideas:
🕺 Add music or a chore dance party
✅ Use sticker charts for visual motivation
⏱️ Set a timer for clean-up races
🎯 Turn tasks into games (sock match challenge, toy hunt)
🪙 Link allowance to effort with a family-friendly app
Opportunities to grow
When you invite your 5-year-old to help out at home, you’re teaching independence, responsibility, and even early financial literacy.
With Greenlight, you can assign chores, set rewards, and give your child real-world earning experience. It’s a win-win for busy families and growing kids alike.
Empower kids to earn and learn. Manage chores, jobs, and allowances. Teach kids to earn, save, and invest with the Greenlight app. 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.
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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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