How many chores should a 5–6 year old have?

Across Family Chores, kids ages 5–6 average 6 chores per week with a 89% completion rate. Start below that and add as completion stays high.

Chore ideas · Ages 5–6

28 chores for 5–6 year olds — first chores that build confidence.

At five and six, chores are less about the result and more about identity: kids this age love being helpers, and short, visible jobs teach them that their effort matters to the family. Expect to work alongside them, keep jobs under ten minutes, and celebrate completion loudly.

Assign these in Family Chores Jump to the chore list

Parent tip: Pair every new chore with a demonstration, then let them own it imperfectly. A crooked bedspread made independently builds more responsibility than a perfect one made for them.

From real Family Chores data

What families actually assign at ages 5–6.

Aggregated, anonymized platform numbers for this age range — a realistic baseline, not a Pinterest fantasy.

89%

of assigned chores get completed at this age

6

chores per week on the average chart

5 coins

average payout per chore

11

New Skill Bonuses earned per child in the first year

Most assigned

The top three at this age

Make the bed
Put toys away
Feed the family pet

Most completed routine

Bedtime Routine

The routine this age group finishes most often. See how chores chain into habits on the routines page.

The list

Chore ideas for ages 5–6, by the skill they build.

Every chore is tagged with one of the five Pillars of Responsibility, so you can balance the chart instead of accidentally raising a vacuuming specialist.

🌱 Self Care (6 chores)

Morning and bedtime routines, hygiene, and personal responsibility handled independently.

Make the bed · ~5 min
Put dirty clothes in the hamper · ~3 min
Brush teeth morning and night · ~4 min
Get dressed by yourself · ~8 min
Wash hands before meals · ~2 min
Put away bath toys · ~4 min

🏠 Home Care (6 chores)

Cleaning, dishes, laundry, and yard work - caring for the physical home environment.

Wipe up small spills · ~3 min
Help wipe the table after dinner · ~5 min
Dust low shelves with a cloth · ~8 min
Empty small trash cans with help · ~6 min
Pick up sticks in the yard · ~10 min
Help unload utensils from the dishwasher · ~6 min

📋 Organization (6 chores)

Planning, packing, tidying, and keeping life - and stuff - in order.

Put toys away · ~10 min
Put books back on the shelf · ~5 min
Hang up your coat and backpack · ~3 min
Put shoes on the shoe rack · ~3 min
Choose tomorrow's outfit · ~5 min
Tidy the play area before bed · ~10 min

🤝 Family Contribution (6 chores)

Helping siblings, caring for pets, and pitching in on work that serves the whole household.

Feed the family pet · ~5 min
Refill the pet's water bowl · ~3 min
Set napkins and silverware on the table · ~5 min
Clear your own plate after meals · ~2 min
Bring your cup to the sink · ~2 min
Carry in light groceries · ~5 min

🛠️ Life Skills (4 chores)

Cooking, laundry, budgeting, and the practical skills of running an adult life.

Water a plant · ~3 min
Match clean socks · ~8 min
Help sort laundry into lights and darks · ~8 min
Help make a simple snack · ~8 min

Inside Family Chores, each of these becomes a real chore with coins, optional parent approval, a repeat schedule, and Responsibility XP toward its pillar — learn how the system works on the Pillars of Responsibility page.

Other ages

Chore ideas for every age, 5 to 16.

Kids grow; the chart should too. Each guide shifts the mix toward more independence and bigger skills.

Ages 5–6

First chores that build confidence

28 age-appropriate chores - most assigned: Make the bed

Ages 7–8

Put these chores to work for your 5–6 year old.

Create your family free, add these chores in minutes, and let coins, routines, and Responsibility XP handle the daily motivation.

Start your family free Back to the chores guide