At 13 a child can take on the pediatricians' teen chores: vacuuming shared rooms, cleaning the kitchen after a meal, pet care, yard work and a push mower, on top of laundry, sheets and the bathroom from ages 11 to 12.
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Where the 21 chores come from
Two American Academy of Pediatrics articles set the list. Ages 11 to 12 add cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, changing sheets, laundry and a simple meal cooked with supervision. The teen article adds shared-room vacuuming, yard work, snow, car washing and pet grooming. Grocery shopping waits for a driver's license, so it is left off.
Building a teen's chart
The chart opens in points, so mowing can count for 3 and feeding the pet for 1. Type your teen's name on the name line, then retype a chore or press Add a chore: the 21 chores are offered as you type. Print the chart makes one weekly page for the fridge.
The pediatricians say 12 is the youngest age for a walk-behind mower and 16 for a riding one.
Questions and answers
What chores should a 13 year old do?
The teen list from the American Academy of Pediatrics: vacuuming shared rooms, cleaning the kitchen after meals, yard work, clearing snow, washing the car and pet care, plus laundry, bedsheets and the bathroom from ages 11 to 12.
What household chores suit 12 year olds?
Most of this page. The pediatricians' 11 to 12 list covers the kitchen and bathroom, sheets, laundry, washing the car and a simple meal cooked with supervision. Mowing can start at 12 with a walk-behind mower.
Is this a teenage chore list printable on one page?
Yes. Print the chart gives one weekly page with a row for each chore and a box for each day. Weekdays only, under the chart, takes Saturday and Sunday off.
Are chores for a 13 year old boy different?
No. Both pediatricians' articles group jobs by age, never by boy or girl. Hand out mowing and laundry the same way to every teen in the house.
21 chore ideas by age
Every day 5
Clean the kitchen after dinnerCounters wiped, pans washed, floor swept under the table.
Feed the pet and refill its waterWash the bowl while you are at it.
Load or unload the dishwasherGlasses on top, plates facing the middle.
Take the kitchen garbage outTie the bag, take it out, put a new bag in.
Tidy your room before bedFloor clear, clothes put away, desk cleared.
Once or twice a week 9
Clean the bathroom sink and mirrorSpray, wipe, then dry the taps so they shine.
Cook dinner, adult at homeOne simple meal a week, start to clean-up.
Groom the pet once a weekBrush from head to tail, then check the nails.
Mop the kitchen and bathroom floorsSweep first, then mop toward the door.
Scrub the toilet bowl and seatBrush inside, then wipe the handle and lid.
Strip and remake your bedWash the old set so the bed has a spare.
Vacuum the shared roomsLiving room, hallway and stairs, and the couch cushions.
Wash, dry and fold your laundryRead the care label before the first load.
Watch a younger siblingAn adult stays in the house while you do.
Yard, car and seasons 7
Clear snow from the walk and stepsPush the snow rather than lifting heavy loads.
Mow the lawn with a push mowerAfter an adult shows you how; sturdy shoes and eye protection on.
Rake and bag the leavesRake onto a tarp, then tip the tarp into the bag.
Spread mulch in the garden bedsA layer around the plants, not piled on the stems.
Wash and vacuum the carWash from the roof down, then vacuum the seats.
Weed the flower bedsPull from the base so the root comes too.
Wheel the trash cans to the curbThe night before pickup, lids closed.