A family chores list you can adapt to your household

Meals and kitchen cleanup

• Set out plates, cups, utensils and napkins for a meal.
• Help prepare food, such as washing produce, measuring ingredients or mixing.
• Prepare or cook a meal.
• Clear the table and return condiments to their storage spots.
• Put leftovers away.
• Load the dishwasher or wash dishes by hand.
• Dry and put away clean dishes.
• Wash pans, serving bowls and other items left out of the dishwasher.
• Wipe the table and counters used for eating or preparation.
• Sweep crumbs from the kitchen and eating area.
• Empty lunchboxes and bring reusable containers to the kitchen.
• Wash and refill water bottles.

Meal preparation can mean an adult cooking while a child washes produce or measures ingredients beside them. An older child learning to cook can prepare a simple dish with supervision.

Dishwashing can be several people's work too. One child might put away lightweight plastic containers while an adult handles knives, breakables and high shelves. Another family may prefer one person to finish the whole job. Either arrangement can fit.

Clothes and personal spaces

• Put worn clothes in the hamper and return clean clothes to storage.
• Gather a load of laundry when it is needed.
• Wash a load, then move it to the dryer or hang it to dry.
• Fold or hang dry laundry and put it away.
• Straighten bedding, if making beds is part of your household's routine.
• Put away toys, books, games and craft supplies after use.
• Return shoes, coats and bags to their places.
• Hang bath towels and clear water splashes from the floor.

“Laundry” can mean collecting clothes or taking a whole load through to the drawers. Use the wording that matches the actual assignment so nobody mistakes a running washing machine for a finished job.

Shared rooms, bins and pets

• Return items left in shared rooms to the people or places they belong to.
• Clear the floor where people need to walk.
• Put away blankets and cushions after use.
• Empty full household trash and recycling bins; replace liners where used.
• Take empty cardboard packaging to the recycling bin.
• Feed pets the agreed amount at the agreed time.
• Refresh pet drinking water.
• Walk or exercise a pet.
• Water houseplants when they need it.

For pet care, name the particular feeding or walk. “Feed the dog breakfast” is clearer than “help with pets,” especially when several people could otherwise feed the same very persuasive dog. A child who cannot safely handle the dog on a walk can help with its food or water instead.

Bathrooms

• Clean sinks, faucets and bathroom counters.
• Clean mirrors.
• Clean toilets.
• Clean the bathtub or shower.
• Sweep or vacuum, then mop suitable bathroom floors.
• Replace and wash used towels and bath mats.
• Refill toilet paper and hand soap from household supplies.

An adult can clean the toilet and shower while a younger child brings clean towels or refills the toilet paper holder. An older child can learn to clean a sink alongside you. Assign the specific part, such as “replace the bath towels,” rather than giving every child “clean the bathroom.”

Bedrooms and shared living spaces

• Strip beds and collect used sheets and pillowcases.
• Wash bedding according to its care instructions.
• Put clean sheets and pillowcases on beds.
• Dust reachable shelves, tables and other surfaces.
• Vacuum rugs, carpets and upholstery as appropriate.
• Sweep and mop suitable hard floors.
• Wipe frequently touched handles and switches with a suitable product.
• Sort accumulated toys, books and craft materials back into storage.
• Empty small wastebaskets into the main trash.

Tidying and cleaning are separate parts of a room's work. A child can put toys in their bins before someone else vacuums. That contribution still counts when the child is not ready to operate the vacuum.

Food, supplies and the entryway

• Buy or collect groceries and household supplies.
• Unpack groceries and put them in their storage places.
• Review the refrigerator for food that needs using or discarding.
• Wipe refrigerator spills and shelves as needed.
• Clean the microwave and the cooled stovetop with suitable products.
• Wash reusable lunch bags, grocery bags and kitchen cloths as their care instructions allow.
• Clean the kitchen sink and dish rack.
• Sweep the entrance and clean the doormat.

A child can put lightweight pantry items on a reachable shelf while an adult handles heavy bags and breakables. Sorting the reusable bags or returning empty lunch bags to their place gives a younger child a smaller part.

Meal planning and ordering supplies are separate work alongside these chores. Count that time when adults divide food responsibilities. Putting away groceries covers a different part from choosing meals and buying the ingredients.

Use the cleaning frequency your home needs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly and other surfaces when visibly dirty or as needed. Its household cleaning guidance also distinguishes routine cleaning from disinfecting; disinfectant does not need to be a default item in every room.