Chores by age
Chores for 11 and 12 year olds
11 and 12 year olds can run a load of laundry, cook a simple family meal with an adult nearby, manage their room, plan their week and help with bigger family jobs. It is the age to build the skills they will need as teens.
Try this week with your kids
Noki suggests a first week of quests and rewards for a 11 year old. You change what you like before you start.
At a glance: chores for 11 and 12 year olds
Good first chores at this age. Each one has steps and suggested stars in the full list below.
- Run a load of laundry
- Cook a simple family meal
- Do your whole morning routine
- Put screens to bed
- Take out the trash
- Change your bed sheets
- Plan your school week
- Get up with your own alarm
What to expect at this age
Pre-teens can handle almost any household job with some training: laundry from sorting to hanging, cooking a simple meal, cleaning a bathroom sink, managing the recycling. They also value fairness, so a clear and shared family plan works better than orders.
Agree together on a set of weekly responsibilities and let them decide when to do them. Add 1 bigger skill each term, like cooking a meal or managing their own laundry. Keep safety rules clear for the stove, the oven and sharp tools.
Stars can support bigger goals, savings and privileges they care about. At this age, the best rewards are often experiences and trust: more independence, a friend over, choosing the family outing.
84 chores for this age
Morning and bedtime
Lights out at bedtime
Turn off your light when it is bedtime.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Floss your teeth
Floss between your teeth after brushing at night.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Drink a glass of water
Drink a full glass of water.
1 starAges 2 to 12
Hang up your towel
Hang your towel on its hook after washing.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Air your room
Open your window for a few minutes in the morning.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Tidy and home
Put away clean clothes
Put your folded clothes in the right drawers.
2 starsAges 5 to 12
Dust the shelves
Wipe dust off the shelves with a duster.
2 starsAges 5 to 12
Sweep the floor
Sweep crumbs into a pile and into the dustpan.
2 starsAges 6 to 12
Wipe the bathroom sink
Wipe the sink and the tap until they shine.
2 starsAges 7 to 12
Run a load of laundry
Load the machine, add detergent, choose the program, start.
3 starsAges 11 to 12
Tidy your desk
Put pens in the cup and papers in the folder.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Help pack a suitcase
Pack your clothes for the trip from your list.
2 starsAges 6 to 12
Do a 5-minute family tidy
Tidy the living room with everyone for 5 minutes.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Help fix something at home
Help a grown-up repair something, like a loose screw.
3 starsAges 9 to 12
Kitchen and table
Clear the table
Bring all the plates, cups and dishes to the kitchen.
2 starsAges 6 to 12
Dry the dishes
Dry each dish with a clean towel and stack it.
1 starAges 6 to 12
Put away the groceries
Put the shopping in the fridge and cupboards.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Find items on the shopping list
Find the items on your list at the store.
2 starsAges 7 to 12
Kindness and manners
Say good morning
Say good morning to everyone at home.
1 starAges 3 to 12
Use good table manners
Sit at the table, use your cutlery and chew with your mouth closed.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Hold the door open
Hold the door for the person behind you.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Give a kind compliment
Tell someone something you like about them.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Call a grandparent
Call a grandparent or relative and tell them about your day.
1 starAges 5 to 12
Offer a guest a drink
Ask your guest what they would like to drink and bring it.
1 starAges 6 to 12
Include someone in a game
Invite someone who is alone to join your game.
1 starAges 6 to 12
Do a secret kindness
Do something kind for someone without telling them.
2 starsAges 5 to 12
Learning
Review what you learned
Read over today's lesson for 10 minutes.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Learn 3 new words
Find 3 new words and use them today.
1 starAges 6 to 12
Keep a journal
Write or draw 3 things about your day.
1 starAges 7 to 12
Turn off the screen when time is up
When your screen time ends, turn it off by yourself.
2 starsAges 6 to 12
Work on a personal project
Spend 30 minutes on a project you chose.
2 starsAges 9 to 12
Study for a quiz
Review your notes and test yourself.
2 starsAges 9 to 12
Outdoor and pets
Help clean the pet's cage
Change the bedding and clean the bowls.
2 starsAges 9 to 12
Pull weeds
Pull out the weeds by the root.
2 starsAges 6 to 12
Sweep the doorstep
Sweep the leaves and dirt off the doorstep.
1 starAges 6 to 12
Bring in the mail
Collect the mail and put it in the family spot.
1 starAges 5 to 12
Carry a grocery bag
Carry a shopping bag from the car or the store.
1 starAges 5 to 12
Fill the bird feeder
Fill the bird feeder with seeds.
1 starAges 5 to 12
Questions about chores for 11 and 12 year olds
What chores can 11 and 12 year olds do?
Run a load of laundry, Cook a simple family meal, Do your whole morning routine, Put screens to bed, Take out the trash, Change your bed sheets, Plan your school week, and Get up with your own alarm. Start with 3 or 4, keep the same order every day, and add a new one only when the routine feels easy.
How do I get 11 and 12 year olds to help at home?
Pre-teens can handle almost any household job with some training: laundry from sorting to hanging, cooking a simple meal, cleaning a bathroom sink, managing the recycling. They also value fairness, so a clear and shared family plan works better than orders.
Is there a printable chore chart for 11 and 12 year olds?
Yes. The free printable chart lists a week of age-appropriate quests for 11 and 12 year olds, ready to print.
How many stars should a chore be worth?
The library suggests 1 to 4 stars per chore: 1 for most daily habits, 2 to 4 for longer or weekly jobs. Adjust the stars to your family and your rewards.