RoutineKit

Chores for 4-year-olds

By four, many children can follow a two- or three-step job and remember it with a picture prompt. The chart below is already filled in with these jobs: edit it, then print.

Daily

  • Pull up the duvet
  • Set out napkins and spoons
  • Clear their plate
  • Tidy toys before dinner

Weekly

  • Match socks
  • Water plants
  • Put away shopping on low shelves
Tasks (7)
Look & print settings
My jobs this week
TaskMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Pull up the duvet
Set out napkins and spoons
Clear their plate
Tidy toys before dinner
Match socks
Water plants
Put away shopping on low shelves

Reward: Pick the Saturday movie

✎ Edit

In the print dialog choose Save as PDF for a file, and turn on Background graphics to keep the colours. Your chart saves automatically in this browser.

Making it work at 4

Tip: Show, then do it together, then watch. Only then put it on the chart.

At this age, a picture matters more than the words. Keep words on if you want to build early reading, but make each picture big.

General suggestions drawn from common child-development guidance (for example HealthyChildren.org, the AAP’s parenting site), not milestones. Every child is different.

Questions parents ask

What chores can a 4-year-old do?

Daily: pull up the duvet, set out napkins and spoons, clear their plate, tidy toys before dinner. Weekly: match socks, water plants, put away shopping on low shelves. By four, many children can follow a two- or three-step job and remember it with a picture prompt.

How many chores should a 4-year-old have?

As a general suggestion, two or three daily jobs plus one or two weekly ones. A short list that really gets done beats a long one that gets ignored.

Should a 4-year-old get paid for chores?

Families split on this. A common approach is that everyday family jobs are unpaid, while extra jobs can earn pocket money or a reward. The reward line on the chart works either way.

More free charts