Chores for a 5 Year Old

Five is the age when chores turn from "helping" into a real routine. Here is what a 5-year-old can do, and why starting now pays off.

Updated October 9, 2026 · by Riccardo Lapi

Chores for a 5-year-old

By age 5, most children can do simple chores like matching socks or clearing the table after eating. The CDC lists this as a developmental milestone (CDC). The American Academy of Pediatrics list for ages 5 to 7 includes (AAP):

• Make the bed
• Set and clear the table
• Put toys away and tidy bookshelves
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper
• Fill the pet's food dish
• Bring in the mail
• Water flowers
• Wash plastic dishes
• Sort laundry by color

At 5, pick three of these for every day, and one "big" job for the weekend, like helping wash the car.

Why kindergarten is a good time to start

A study from the University of Virginia followed about 10,000 American children. Kindergartners who did chores more often had better self-competence, prosocial behavior and math scores in third grade (White, DeBoer and Scharf, 2019).

The study shows a link, not proof that chores cause these results. Children who are already capable may get more chores. Still, it matches what parents see: a child who has a job at home learns to start, finish and feel useful.

Tips for 5-year-olds

• Attach chores to moments of the day. Bed after getting dressed. Plate after dinner. Toys before bath. A 5-year-old cannot track time, but can track routines.
• Use a chart they can check. Print the chart above. Most 5-year-olds can read a few words, so add a small drawing next to each chore.
• Give a choice. "Do you want to feed the cat or water the plants?" Choice reduces refusal.
• Praise the effort, not the result. The AAP recommends praising effort and not expecting perfection.

Money at 5?

Some families start an allowance at 5, many wait. Greenlight data shows an average weekly allowance of $6.18 at age 5 in 2025 (Greenlight). If you start, keep daily chores separate from money, and pay only for extra jobs. See our allowance by age guide.

Five-year-olds and siblings

Five is the age when "That's not fair!" begins in earnest. If an older sibling has more chores, explain why ("You will do that too when you are 8"). Rotate the chores that both kids can do, like setting the table. The chore chart maker does the rotation for you.

Previous age: chores for a 4 year old. Next age: chores for a 6 year old.