It can be hard to know what chores to do. It can be even harder to do the chores assigned to you.
Performing household chores teach you responsibility and can help you learn to be a good citizen. It’s also part of growing up. Someday, you will either be living on your own or with a roommate, friend, or partner. The skills you will acquire through doing chores will serve you throughout your adult lives. Learn more about the best chores to do as a teenager.
Chores for teenagers
There are endless options of chores to do and certain chores may be a better match for some than others. You and your parent can brainstorm the ones that might be best for you. However, here are some of the most popular options to get you started:
Doing, folding, and putting away laundry
Helping to prepare meals
Loading and unloading the dishwasher
Mowing the lawn
Packing your school lunch
Sweeping
Taking out the garbage and recycling
Tidying up your room
Walking the dog
Washing the car
What Chores can teenagers do?
Teens are capable of doing practically any household chore that adults can do. However, you will need direction and guidance as you learn how to do chores correctly. Guidance is not the same as nagging. Start by learning how to do a specific chore and then get your parents to monitor your work to ensure you can do it on your own.
For example, if you are not cleaning the bathroom in a sanitary manner, or if your lawn mowing technique leaves a lot to be desired, consider it a teachable moment. Make your expectations clear and get your parents to demonstrate how they would like a chore to be done.
Chores are a way to learn about adult life. You can also weave money-managing skills into chores: consider getting paid an allowance for doing certain chores or link chores to specific privileges.
Know that hard work leads to rewards, just like hard work at a future job will lead to a paycheck.
You can learn the discipline which ties a task to a specific incentive or privilege. Create a plan that you can spend time with friends as soon as your chores are done. If you are motivated to see your friends, you will likely work hard to get the chores done.
Consider safety issues
Most teens are mature enough to do chores with little to no supervision. That said, every teen is different. Carefully consider your skill level before creating your chore list.
Make sure that you are aware of and educated about common safety concerns and household hazards. Learn what to do to prevent accidents as well as ensure that they know what to do if something happens.
For example, household chemicals can be a hazard. Learn about the importance of not combining chemicals and discuss ventilation issues. Make sure to discuss what to do if your teen accidentally gets a chemical on their skin or in their eyes.
Before using the stove, lawnmower, weed whacker, power tools, or other appliances, go over safety issues. Read manuals or learn from your parents before you use those items independently.
Make sure you know and practice safety precautions, such as knowing how to handle extension cords (for example, never plugging in a cord that’s frayed or wet).
Learn care for belongings
Learn to keep your personal space clean. This might involve keeping your bedroom clean and making sure your things are organized when they’re in common areas of the house. The chores you get assigned to should be things that will help you recognize the importance of taking care of your personal items.
Here are a few examples of chores that are a good fit for most teens:
Making your bed (including changing the sheets)
Organizing your closet
Putting your clothes away
Putting items back where they belong
Sweeping or vacuuming your bedroom
Learn responsibility
While all chores instil responsibility, creating a chore list that includes caring for other people, pets, or plants, gives you a chance to be in charge.
These chores show you can be trusted and that you are responsible enough to have someone (or something) depend on you.
Consider including a few of these items on your chore list:
Babysitting younger siblings
Brushing the pets outside to reduce shedding indoors
Feeding the pet
Making lunch for siblings
Walking the pet or cleaning litter
Washing the pet and/or pet’s things
Watering plants
Learn citizenship
To instil a sense of community responsibility, include chores that involve caring for common areas in the home:
Cleaning refrigerator shelves and door (inside and out)
Cleaning the bathroom sink, mirror, and toilet
Cleaning the kitchen counters
Cooking dinner
Dusting the living room, bedrooms, and office space
Emptying the dishwasher or washing dishes
Mopping the floors
Organizing bookshelves
Organizing drawers
Organizing the food in the pantry
Organizing the garage
Sanitizing surfaces
Shampooing the carpets
Straightening up the living room
Sweeping the kitchen and bathroom floors
Taking care of items for recycling.
