Holiday chores kids can help with and actually enjoy

The holidays can bring both joy and long to-do lists – the perfect time to get family involved. Kids love to help, especially when it's fun, and the holidays offer plenty of opportunities to pitch in. 

Put idle hands to work with holiday tasks your kids can truly help with.

Holiday chores for younger kids (ages 4–7)

At this age, the goal is participation, not perfection. Little hands can make big contributions.

• Set out napkins and utensils for family meals.

• Wipe down tables or chairs before guests arrive.

• Water the tree or plants with a small cup to avoid spills.

• Help decorate by hanging non-fragile ornaments or placing holiday cards on display.

• Match socks or fold towels when washing guest linens.

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Pro tip: Let kids add their own creative touch, like naming ornaments or drawing place cards for dinner. It can help them feel included and proud of their contribution.

Holiday chores for for older kids (ages 8–12)

Older kids can handle more independence and may enjoy seeing the results of their efforts.

• Wrap (or pre-wrap) gifts and practice using tape, bows, or recycled paper.

• Mix and measure ingredients for cookies or simple side dishes.

• Organize decorations by color, theme, or room.

• Pack away toys or clutter to make room for guests.

• Create a playlist or help test lights before decorating the tree.

Pro tip: Give them a small budget or allowance to buy wrapping supplies or ingredients. It makes the task feel more like their own project and teaches responsibility.

Holiday chores for teens (ages 13+)

Teens can take on tasks that require responsibility and leadership.

• Plan part of a meal, like dessert or a favorite side dish.

• Help shop for groceries or wrap and label presents.

• Assist younger siblings with their holiday crafts or chores.

• Shovel snow or hang outdoor lights safely with supervision.

• Coordinate donation drives and encourage them to collect gently used items for local charities.

Pro tip: Let teens take the lead on one family task, like planning a small event, setting a gift budget, or organizing donations. It can help build leadership skills while giving them ownership of the holiday prep.

How to make giving part of holiday chores

Helping others during the holidays is one of the most meaningful “chores” your kids can do. Volunteering or donating helps them learn empathy and gratitude.

Try these ideas:

• Declutter together. Have your child choose toys, books, or clothes to donate before new gifts arrive.

• Write thank-you cards for teachers, neighbors, or delivery drivers.

• Join a community event, like a toy drive or food bank volunteer day.

These small actions help kids see the value of generosity and gratitude, showing them that giving can be just as rewarding as receiving.

How to make chores easier to manage

The holidays can get busy fast. Between shopping, decorating, and hosting, it’s easy for things to pile up. Greenlight’s chores and allowance feature helps families stay on track by making it simple to assign tasks, track progress, and set up automatic allowance payments when kids pitch in. Parents get help tackling their holiday to-do lists, and kids get to feel the pride that comes with doing their part (and earning a little extra for it).

How to make chores enjoyable for kids

Holiday chores don’t have to feel like another job on the list. Try making them part of the fun so everyone feels included and motivated:

• Let kids choose one task they actually enjoy, such as decorating cookies or picking the music while cleaning.

• Build in small breaks or rewards after group chores to keep energy up.

• Talk about what went well afterward and how working together helped get things done faster or made the day smoother.

Turning chores into shared time helps kids connect effort with teamwork and pride. And when it feels like family fun instead of a task, everyone wins.

A season of teamwork

At the end of the day, the holidays are about being together. Every time kids lend a hand, from hanging lights to setting the table, they learn that being part of a family means pitching in. Those lessons of cooperation and care can last long after the decorations come down.

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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.