Chores by age
Chores for 9 and 10 year olds
9 and 10 year olds can take on bigger responsibilities: take out the trash, change their bed sheets, wash dishes, plan their school week, walk the dog with a grown-up, help cook dinner. They can own their whole morning routine.
Try this week with your kids
Noki suggests a first week of quests and rewards for a 9 year old. You change what you like before you start.
At a glance: chores for 9 and 10 year olds
Good first chores at this age. Each one has steps and suggested stars in the full list below.
- 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
- Vacuum your room
- Wash the dishes
What to expect at this age
Tweens want more independence and respond well to being trusted with real jobs. They can plan their week, manage their time and handle chores that need care, like washing dishes or helping with dinner using a child-safe knife under supervision.
A good balance is a self-run daily routine plus 2 to 4 weekly family jobs. Involve them in deciding who does what: family meetings work well at this age. Link some quests to life skills they will need soon, like laundry and planning.
Stars can feed longer-term goals and savings. Many families at this age combine stars with pocket money or a monthly goal. Keep the focus on each kid's own contribution and skills.
92 chores for this age
Morning and bedtime
Brush your hair
Brush your hair from the ends up, gently.
1 starAges 3 to 10
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
Hang up your coat and bag
Hang your coat and bag on your hooks.
1 starAges 3 to 10
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
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
Sweep under the table
Sweep the crumbs under the table after meals.
1 starAges 4 to 10
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
Make something creative
Draw, paint, build or craft something new.
1 starAges 3 to 10
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 9 and 10 year olds
What chores can 9 and 10 year olds do?
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, Vacuum your room, and Wash the dishes. 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 9 and 10 year olds to help at home?
Tweens want more independence and respond well to being trusted with real jobs. They can plan their week, manage their time and handle chores that need care, like washing dishes or helping with dinner using a child-safe knife under supervision.
Is there a printable chore chart for 9 and 10 year olds?
Yes. The free printable chart lists a week of age-appropriate quests for 9 and 10 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.