The best chores for 14-year-olds to earn money and build skills

As teens reach the age of 14, most begin to seek more independence. One way to nurture this is by earning their own money. Assigning household chores to your 14-year-old is an excellent way to teach teens responsibility and accountability – and for them to start making money. 

What kinds of chores can or should 14-year-olds do? That depends on your teen’s unique personality, motivations, and your family’s specific needs. Read on for ideas on how 14-year-olds can earn money through chores — and the many benefits.

Types of chores suitable for 14-year-olds

At this age, teens are capable of handling a variety of chores that not only help them earn money but also prepare them for future responsibilities.

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Basic household chores

• Laundry 

• Vacuuming

• Mopping floors

• Dishwashing

• Window cleaning

• Taking out the trash

• Making their bed

• Cleaning their bedroom

• Wiping down countertops and tables

• Organizing common spaces like closets

• Watering indoor plants

Outdoor chores

• Lawn mowing 

• Weeding and mulching

• Car washing and detailing 

• Raking leaves

• Shoveling snow

Pet chores

• Walking the dog

• Feeding pets 

• Changing litter boxes

• Cleaning cages or tanks

Advanced chores

• Cooking simple meals 

• Babysitting younger siblings or neighbors

• Assisting with grocery shopping

The benefits of doing chores

Chores offer more than just monetary rewards; they are instrumental in personal growth and skill development. Here are a few of the many positives your 14-year-old can reap from doing chores regularly around the house. 

• Life skills development: Performing chores regularly can build a strong work ethic and help teach time management and prioritization skills. Teens learn to juggle responsibilities effectively, which is invaluable as they enter adulthood.

• Personal growth: Completing chores can boost self-esteem and confidence. Knowing they are contributing to the household can foster empathy and teamwork, as teens begin to understand the value of their efforts.

• Financial literacy: By linking chores to allowances, teens can learn the value of work and money. This early exposure to budgeting and saving helps create the building blocks for sound financial habits later in life. 

How to motivate your teen to do chores 

Let’s face it — doing chores is not typically high on a teen’s priority list. Keeping your 14-year-old motivated to complete their tasks can be challenging, so here are some winning strategies.

• Offer an incentive: Consider linking chores to your teen’s allowance, and set up a reward system for extra tasks. This motivates kids and shows them the link between effort and reward.

• Set clear expectations: Establish a chore schedule and discuss responsibilities and consequences up front. Clear expectations help teens understand their roles and the importance of fulfilling them.

• Encourage independence: Allowing teens to choose their preferred tasks promotes decision-making and independence. 

How to use technology to manage chores effectively

Technology can play a pivotal role in chore management, especially if your kids are already tech-savvy.

• Chore management with Greenlight: Greenlight's app is an excellent tool for managing chores and allowances. Teens can check off tasks, while parents automate allowances, offering a seamless way to keep everyone accountable.

• Integrate financial education: When you use Greenlight to manage your teen’s chores, you can also help your teen track spending, set savings goals, and even explore investment opportunities. This practical approach empowers teens to manage their finances wisely.

Chores are more than just tasks; they're opportunities for 14-year-olds to earn money and develop skills that will serve them throughout life. Supporting and guiding your 14-year-old in balancing chores with other commitments can help them mature into a responsible, capable adult.

Want more parenting wins? From budgeting to spending wisely, Greenlight’s family money app teaches money lessons for life. Try Greenlight now.

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.