22 helpful chores for 8-year-olds: A guide for parents
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Highlights
Start with small zones — one room, one task, or one “patrol” job your 8-year-old can own
Merge clean-up with routine tasks (like meals or laundry) to teach follow-through
Use tools like Greenlight to assign chores, track progress, and automate rewards
By age 8, many kids are ready for more responsibility, and chores are a great way to teach real-world skills in a structured way. At this stage, they can usually handle multi-step tasks, follow routines, and take pride in doing their part.
We’ve rounded up 22 of the most realistic chores for 8-year-olds, broken down by category, with tips on how to make them age-appropriate and successful. Whether your child is new to chores or ready for more responsibility, this list offers a balance of daily, weekly, and occasional tasks.
💡 You can make it easier to stay consistent by tracking chores in the Greenlight app. Assign tasks, set rewards, and let kids check off responsibilities — all in one place.
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22 age-appropriate chores for 8-year-olds
Make the bed
Put away laundry
Set the table
Clean up after meals
Load or empty the dishwasher
Wipe counters
Dust furniture
Sweep or vacuum floors
Take out the trash
Laundry basics
Water plants
Pull weeds
Rake leaves
Wash the car (with help)
Pack school lunch
Carry in groceries
Put away groceries
Feed and care for pets
Organize toys or books
Restock household supplies
Clean their bathroom sink
Help with recycling
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.
Indoor chores 🛏️
1. Make the bed
What it involves: Pulling up the blanket, smoothing the sheets, and placing pillows and stuffed animals where they belong
Why it works: Builds independence and a daily routine they can take ownership of
How often: Daily
Tip for parents: Focus on consistency, not perfection, and let them add their personal touch
2. Put away laundry
What it involves: Folding or hanging clean clothes and putting them in the correct drawers or closet sections
Why it works: Reinforces organization and builds follow-through
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Use labeled drawers or bins to keep things simple
3. Set the table
What it involves: Placing napkins, forks, plates, and cups at each seat
Why it works: Helps develop sequencing skills and a feeling of participation
How often: Daily or as needed
Tip for parents: Let them personalize with folded napkins or a centerpiece
4. Clean up after meals
What it involves: Clearing the table, wiping it down, and bringing dishes to the sink
Why it works: Teaches that mealtime includes both eating and cleaning up
How often: Daily
Tip for parents: Use music or a simple checklist to keep it fun and repeatable
5. Load or empty the dishwasher
What it involves: Placing dishes into the machine or putting clean ones away (focus on non-breakables)
Why it works: Encourages sorting and safe handling
How often: Two to three times per week
Tip for parents: Start small — utensils or plastic items — and expand as their competence and confidence grow
6. Wipe counters
What it involves: Cleaning crumbs or spills with a cloth and safe cleaner
Why it works: Teaches attention to detail and shared responsibility
How often: Daily or as needed
Tip for parents: Demonstrate a simple “left to right” motion to avoid missed spots
7. Dust furniture
What it involves: Using a cloth or duster on shelves, tables, or windowsills
Why it works: Develops observation skills and helps kids take care of shared spaces
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Assign one room or zone at a time to keep it manageable
8. Sweep or vacuum floors
What it involves: Using a child-friendly broom or vacuum to clean crumbs and dirt
Why it works: Strengthens coordination and helps them understand the importance of consistent upkeep
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Start with small areas like their bedroom or play space
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Cleaning and care 🧼
9. Take out the trash
What it involves: Emptying small bins from bedrooms or bathrooms and replacing liners
Why it works: Encourages responsibility and follow-through
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Use small, light bags that are easy to carry and tie
10. Laundry basics
What it involves: Sorting darks and lights, loading machines, or transferring between the washer and dryer
Why it works: Begins building long-term self-care skills
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Let them push buttons or scoop detergent with guidance
Outdoor chores 🌱
11. Water plants
What it involves: Using a watering can to hydrate flowers, pots, or garden beds
Why it works: Teaches patience and responsibility
How often: Two to three times per week, depending on the climate
Tip for parents: Assign a plant or garden section as “theirs” to care for
12. Pull weeds
What it involves: Removing weeds from beds, walkways, or containers
Why it works: Encourages attention to detail and outdoor time
How often: Weekly during growing season
Tip for parents: Identify safe-to-pull weeds ahead of time; use gloves
13. Rake leaves
What it involves: Gathering leaves into piles using a kid-sized rake
Why it works: Offers satisfying progress and physical movement
How often: Weekly in fall
Tip for parents: Let them jump into leaf piles as a built-in reward
14. Wash the car (with help)
What it involves: Spraying, soaping, and rinsing the car with supervision
Why it works: Feels grown-up and reinforces real-world responsibility
How often: Monthly
Tip for parents: Stick to the lower half of the car and offer a step stool if needed
Everyday helper tasks 🛒
15. Pack school lunch
What it involves: Selecting snacks, sandwich items, and drinks for the school day
Why it works: Promotes independence and planning
How often: Daily on school days
Tip for parents: Create a “lunch station” with pre-approved options
16. Carry in groceries
What it involves: Bringing in lightweight bags from the car to the kitchen
Why it works: Builds strength and a sense of helpfulness
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Assign roles like “fruit carrier” or “pantry patrol” for fun
17. Put away groceries
What it involves: Sorting and storing items into the fridge, freezer, or pantry
Why it works: Teaches categorization and household routines
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Start with dry goods or low shelves to keep it age-appropriate until they work their way up
18. Feed and care for pets
What it involves: Pouring measured food and water, brushing fur occasionally
Why it works: Builds empathy, consistency, and self-discipline
How often: Daily
Tip for parents: Set reminders and supervise at first to build habits
19. Organize toys or books
What it involves: Returning items to labeled bins, shelves, or cubbies
Why it works: Reinforces tidiness and ownership of personal space
How often: Daily
Tip for parents: Use visuals or sorting games to make cleanup easier
20. Restock household supplies
What it involves: Refilling paper towels, soap, or tissues in bathrooms and kitchen
Why it works: Encourages awareness of family needs
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Do a walk-through checklist together on Sundays
21. Clean their bathroom sink
What it involves: Wiping toothpaste, rinsing the bowl, and drying the faucet
Why it works: Teaches ownership of shared hygiene spaces
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Keep a small cloth and spray nearby for convenience
22. Help with recycling
What it involves: Sorting recyclables into the proper bins
Why it works: Builds environmental awareness and organization skills
How often: Weekly
Tip for parents: Post a cheat sheet above bins to reinforce sorting
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.
How to choose chores for your 8-year-old
When assigning chores, remember: you may seem like you’re filling a to-do list, but you’re also giving your kids the opportunity to build life skills. Choose tasks that feel achievable and aligned with their age and capabilities, while also giving them enough space to make mistakes and learn.
Tips to make chores work for your 8-year-old:
Let them choose two to three options per day or week
Use checklists, timers, or apps like Greenlight to build routine
Keep chores short, clear, and doable
Switch things up to avoid burnout
Reward consistency and celebrate effort
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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