21 Best Chores For Kids To Earn Money
Last Updated: August 01, 2024 • 10 min read
Author: Zach L.
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Kids should do chores. Paid or not.
But paying for extra jobs? Smart move.
They save for that Spiderman toy. Teaches them work equals rewards.
Financial literacy early on, just like everything else.
Paying with their own money? Makes them value it more.
It's training. By teens or college, they'll get it.
Every dollar earned is cherished.
21 Legit Chores For Kids To Earn Money
- Mowing the Lawn
- Washing the Car
- Raking Leaves
- Walking the Dog
- Feeding Pets
- Vacuuming
- Taking Out the Trash
- Watering Plants
- Dusting Furniture
- Cleaning Windows
- Sweeping
- Folding Laundry
- Organizing
- Wiping Kitchen Counters
- Loading/Unloading the Dishwasher
- Pulling Weeds
- Cleaning Bathrooms
- Setting the Table
- Collecting Recyclables
- Babysitting Siblings
- Cleaning Their Room
1. Mowing the Lawn
Mowing the lawn is a classic chore for kids. It’s a bit of a workout and a great way for them to get outside.
Start with a small area if they’re new to it. They can learn the basics of how the mower works and how to maneuver it.
As they get better, they can handle more of the yard. It teaches them responsibility and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Plus, a well-mowed lawn makes the whole yard look great.
2. Washing the Car
Your spouse loves it when the kids join in to wash the car. They scrub the tires, pour the soap, and get excited about the suds. Sure, there might be some streaks left behind, but they’re trying their best.
As they get older, teach them to polish and wax. Washing the car helps them appreciate the importance of keeping it clean and shiny.
3. Raking Leaves
Raking leaves is a blast—once the pile’s ready for jumping.
Kids learn a key lesson: work first, play later. Raking might take hours, maybe even days.
But it’s a perfect time for family bonding. You get the tough work done, then share laughter as everyone takes turns diving into the leaf piles.
4. Walking the Dog
Walking the dog is a win-win. It gets kids outside and gives the dog some exercise.
Start with short walks if they’re new to it. Show them how to handle the leash and manage the dog’s behavior.
As they get comfortable, they can take longer walks and even handle multiple dogs if you have them.
This chore teaches responsibility and builds a bond between them and the dog. Plus, a tired dog is a happy dog.
5. Feeding Pets
Feeding pets is a simple yet important chore. Kids can handle it with minimal supervision.
Start by showing them how much food to give and when to feed. Teach them to follow the feeding schedule.
They’ll learn responsibility by making sure pets are fed on time. It also helps them understand the needs of their pets.
Plus, feeding pets can be a daily bonding moment, making them feel more connected to their furry friends.
6. Vacuuming
How often you vacuum depends on foot traffic. High-traffic areas need it twice a week, low-traffic once a week.
For some reason, kids find vacuuming fun. Maybe it’s watching things get sucked up!
If they can't handle the vacuum, they can help change the bag or empty the canister.
This chore teaches them the importance of keeping the floor clean. And remind them—anything left on the floor, like Legos, might just get vacuumed up!
7. Taking Out the Trash
Taking out the trash isn’t a thrill ride. Kids know that. But it’s key to keeping a clean home—something they should learn early on.
Younger kids might struggle with big trash bags. Start small. Let them gather trash from rooms or tie up the bags.
Turn it into a game. Challenge them to see who collects the most trash. It makes the chore fun and teaches responsibility.
As they get older, they can take on the full task of taking out the trash.
Once they’re used to it, they’ll see the benefits. No bad smells, no mess. Teach them that skipping this chore means a fast buildup of junk—papers, mail, snack wrappers—cluttering the house.
8. Watering Plants
Kids love playing with water. Let them water the plants outside or in pots. Houseplants? Even easier. They can pull weeds and remove dead leaves too.
This chore teaches kids responsibility. Living things need care to survive.
Best part? They might get dirty. And that's half the fun.
9. Dusting Furniture
Dusting sneaks up on you. One day, your house is covered in dust bunnies.
Kids love feather dusters. They might not reach the high spots, but they can handle the lower areas while you get the rest.
Dusting is simple but effective. It teaches them that work can be fun. Cleaning doesn’t have to be boring.
10. Cleaning Windows
Cleaning windows is a satisfying chore for kids. It’s straightforward and gives instant results.
Start with a simple spray cleaner and a cloth. Show them how to wipe in a circular motion to avoid streaks.
Let them tackle lower windows or those within reach. For high windows, supervise and help as needed.
They’ll learn attention to detail and enjoy the sparkle of clean windows. Plus, it’s a great way to make the house look fresh.
11. Sweeping
Sweeping is a great chore for kids. It’s simple and effective.
Start with a small broom and dustpan. Show them how to sweep in one direction to gather debris.
They can handle sweeping hard floors or smaller areas. Make sure they get all the corners and edges.
Sweeping teaches them to keep spaces tidy. Plus, it's a quick way to see their work pay off.
12. Folding Laundry
Some kids head to college without knowing how to do laundry. But it’s simple—throw in clothes, add soap, turn on the machine.
If you don’t trust them with the whole process, let them help fold and put away.
This is a lifelong skill. Plus, they’ll learn why changing shirts five times a day means more folding later.
13. Organizing
Organizing is a valuable chore for kids. It helps them develop order and responsibility.
Start with small areas like toy bins or school supplies. Show them how to sort items and put them in designated spots.
Encourage them to tackle one section at a time. It teaches them to create systems and maintain order.
A well-organized space means fewer lost items and a cleaner room. Plus, it’s a great skill for lifelong tidiness.
14. Wiping Kitchen Counters
Wiping kitchen counters is a straightforward chore for kids. It keeps the kitchen clean and germ-free.
Start with a mild cleaner and a cloth. Show them how to wipe in a systematic way, covering all areas.
Teach them to clean up spills right away to avoid stains. Make it a regular task after meals or cooking.
This chore helps them understand the importance of kitchen hygiene and keeps the space ready for the next meal.
15. Loading/Unloading the Dishwasher
If you prefer dishwashing dishes, let the little ones help. They can load after meals.
This gives you a break after cooking and teaches them why keeping the sink clear matters. They'll see that meal prep doesn’t end when the eating does.
16. Pulling Weeds
Pulling weeds is a practical chore for kids. It’s outdoors and gets them active.
Start with a simple tool like a hand weeder or garden gloves. Show them how to pull weeds from the root to prevent regrowth.
Let them focus on smaller areas or garden beds. They’ll learn about plant care and garden maintenance.
It’s a great way to teach them the importance of keeping the garden healthy and tidy. Plus, it’s satisfying to see the results of their hard work.
17. Cleaning Bathrooms
There’s no shortage of chores kids can do for money around the house.
Cleaning the bathroom? Not exactly a favorite. Soap grime, cluttered makeup, and towels on the floor waiting to collect mold.
Teens should handle their own bathrooms. This chore teaches them appreciation—both for you and for cleaning staff. They’ll see firsthand that bathroom messes don’t clean themselves. Mold, grime, and dirt build up fast if ignored.
18. Setting the Table
Setting the table is a simple yet important chore for kids. It gets them involved in mealtime preparation.
Start by showing them where each item goes: plates, utensils, napkins, and glasses. Teach them to follow a consistent arrangement.
Let them practice setting the table for family meals. It helps them understand meal routines and table etiquette.
This chore prepares them for hosting and teaches them attention to detail. Plus, it makes mealtime feel more special.
19. Collecting Recyclables
Collecting recyclables is a great chore for kids. It’s easy and environmentally friendly.
Start by designating a spot for recyclables like paper, plastic, and glass. Show them what can and can’t be recycled.
Let them gather and sort items from around the house. They’ll learn about recycling and waste management.
This chore teaches responsibility and helps reduce household waste. Plus, it’s a small step toward a greener planet.
20. Babysitting Siblings
Babysitting siblings is a significant chore for older kids. It builds responsibility and caregiving skills.
Start with short periods and simple tasks like supervising playtime or helping with homework. Gradually increase their responsibilities as they gain confidence.
Teach them basic safety and first aid. Make sure they know how to handle common issues, like minor injuries or conflicts.
This chore helps them understand the value of looking after others and contributes to their growth and maturity. Plus, it’s a chance for them to bond with their siblings.
21. Cleaning Their Room
Step into your child’s room. What do you see? A battlefield. Toys everywhere, clothes trying to escape the dresser, and the floor? A minefield of clutter.
It’s normal, but it shouldn’t be.
Kids need to learn that their room is their safe space, not a chaos zone. That’s why cleaning is a top chore for earning money. It’s a must-do. A clean room means no bugs and no lost favorite toys.
Cleaning isn’t just about picking up toys and clothes. They should dust and vacuum too.
But let them clean their way. Don’t impose your standards. It might not be perfect, but they’re learning, and that’s what counts.
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