Chores by age
Chores for 3 and 4 year olds
3 and 4 year olds can do simple chores on their own when the steps are clear: tidy toys, make the bed, set napkins and spoons on the table, feed the pet with a pre-measured scoop, water plants. Picture checklists help them remember.
Try this week with your kids
Noki suggests a first week of quests and rewards for a 3 year old. You change what you like before you start.
At a glance: chores for 3 and 4 year olds
Good first chores at this age. Each one has steps and suggested stars in the full list below.
- Read before bed
- Wipe the table
- Help bake
- Greet guests at the door
- Help someone at home
- Say sorry and make it right
- Use good table manners
- Ask before borrowing
What to expect at this age
Preschoolers want to do things 'by myself'. Use that energy. They can follow 2 or 3 steps, sort by color, and finish short jobs on their own if you set them up well. A picture checklist on the wall lets them see what comes next without reminders.
Pick 3 to 5 daily quests across the day: a morning routine (dress, teeth, bed), a mealtime job (napkins, clear plate) and an evening tidy. Keep them short, about 2 to 5 minutes each.
1 star per quest keeps it simple. Kids this age understand collecting more than counting, so a sticker chart or a jar that fills up works well. Let them choose a small reward they can reach within a few days.
57 chores for this age
Morning and bedtime
Wash your face
Splash your face with water and dry it with your towel.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Brush your hair
Brush your hair from the ends up, gently.
1 starAges 3 to 10
Put on your shoes
Put on your shoes and close the straps.
1 starAges 2 to 5
Put on your pajamas
Change into pajamas and put day clothes in the basket.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Blow your nose
Blow your nose into a tissue, then throw it away.
1 starAges 2 to 6
Cough into your elbow
Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
1 starAges 3 to 8
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
Tidy and home
Hang up your coat and bag
Hang your coat and bag on your hooks.
1 starAges 3 to 10
Put books back on the shelf
Put your books back on the shelf, standing up.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Do a 5-minute family tidy
Tidy the living room with everyone for 5 minutes.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Kitchen and table
Wash fruit and vegetables
Rinse the fruit and vegetables under cold water.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Put away the groceries
Put the shopping in the fridge and cupboards.
1 starAges 4 to 12
Fill the water jug
Fill the water jug and bring it to the table.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Sweep under the table
Sweep the crumbs under the table after meals.
1 starAges 4 to 10
Fold the napkins
Fold each napkin into a triangle.
1 starAges 3 to 6
Kindness and manners
Say good morning
Say good morning to everyone at home.
1 starAges 3 to 12
Say hello and goodbye
Wave and say hello when you arrive, goodbye when you leave.
1 starAges 2 to 6
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
Make a card for someone
Draw a card to make someone smile.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Play kindly together
Play gently and use kind words.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Learning
Look at a picture book
Look at a picture book and tell the story.
1 starAges 2 to 5
Practice writing your name
Write your name with a big crayon.
1 starAges 4 to 6
Count and sort
Sort your things by color and count them.
1 starAges 3 to 5
Do a puzzle
Finish a puzzle all by yourself.
1 starAges 3 to 8
Make something creative
Draw, paint, build or craft something new.
1 starAges 3 to 10
Outdoor and pets
Fill the pet's water bowl
Fill the water bowl with fresh water.
1 starAges 2 to 8
Questions about chores for 3 and 4 year olds
What chores can 3 and 4 year olds do?
Read before bed, Wipe the table, Help bake, Greet guests at the door, Help someone at home, Say sorry and make it right, Use good table manners, and Ask before borrowing. 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 3 and 4 year olds to help at home?
Preschoolers want to do things 'by myself'. Use that energy. They can follow 2 or 3 steps, sort by color, and finish short jobs on their own if you set them up well. A picture checklist on the wall lets them see what comes next without reminders.
Is there a printable chore chart for 3 and 4 year olds?
Yes. The free printable chart lists a week of age-appropriate quests for 3 and 4 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.