Chores for 12 Year Olds with Free Printable Custom Chore Chart

Chore List for 12 Year Old

By age 12 your tween is able to do many different chores around the house. Getting your child to do chores is not only helpful but beneficial for your child as well. It will help your child learn valuable life skills, build self-esteem, and make them feel like they contribute to the family.

What are appropriate chores for a 12 year old?

A chore list for a 12-year-old should strike a balance between helping them develop responsibility and ensuring the tasks are age-appropriate. At this age, they are capable of handling more complex tasks independently. Here’s a list of chores suitable for a 12-year-old:

Daily Chores

Make their bed.
Keep their room tidy (put away toys, books, and clothes).
Pack and unpack their school bag.
Feed pets and ensure they have water.
Set the table and clear it after meals.
Wash or dry dishes or load/unload the dishwasher.
Take out the trash and replace the bag.
Sweep or vacuum common areas or their bedroom.
Wipe kitchen counters after meals.
Sort mail and put family members’ items in designated spots.
Refill water bottles for school or activities.
Empty bathroom trash bins.

Weekly Chores

Laundry: Sort, wash, fold, and put away their own clothes.
Clean their room thoroughly, including dusting and organizing.
Water plants indoors or outdoors.
Clean a bathroom sink or mirror.
Mop floors.
Help with yard work (raking leaves, pulling weeds, or watering plants).
Empty recycling bins and sort items.
Organize shoes or coats in shared entryways or closets.
Change their bed sheets and pillowcases.
Clean up their backpack or school supplies.

Occasional Chores

Help with meal prep (e.g., chopping vegetables, mixing ingredients, setting timers).
Wash the car or clean the interior.
Organize family spaces like the living room or shared play areas.
Assist with grocery shopping (making lists, finding items, or unpacking groceries).
Babysit younger siblings for short periods (if mature enough).
Learn basic cooking by making simple meals or snacks.

Responsibilities Beyond Chores

In addition to household tasks, consider teaching life skills like budgeting with an allowance, basic sewing (e.g., mending clothes), or first aid. These skills complement the chores and prepare them for greater independence.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips for ensuring success when assigning chores to a 12-year-old:

1. Be Clear and Specific

Clearly explain what each chore entails. For example, “Clean your room” might include making the bed, vacuuming, and putting away clothes.
Create a checklist or chore chart to avoid misunderstandings.

2. Set Expectations

Discuss how often chores should be done (daily, weekly, etc.).
Emphasize the importance of quality by showing them how to do each task properly.

3. Be Consistent

Establish a routine by assigning chores at the same time daily or weekly.
Follow through with checks and feedback regularly to maintain consistency.

4. Make It Age-Appropriate

Match chores to their ability level to set them up for success. Offer help if the task is new or challenging.

5. Offer Choices

Let them choose some of their chores from a list to give them a sense of control and ownership.

6. Use Positive Reinforcement

Praise their efforts and accomplishments, even if the results aren’t perfect.
Offer incentives like extra screen time, a small reward, or an allowance tied to completing chores well.

7. Turn Chores Into a Game

Use timers to “beat the clock” or challenge them to complete a task before a favorite song ends.
Make cleaning a fun family activity by playing music or competing to finish chores first.

8. Teach Responsibility and Ownership

Explain how their contribution helps the family and creates a clean, organized home for everyone.
Encourage them to take pride in their work by pointing out the results of their efforts.

9. Adjust as Needed

Regularly review the chore list and adjust tasks as they grow older or their schedule changes (e.g., adding more challenging tasks over time).

10. Be a Role Model

Show them how to do chores by working alongside them at first.
Demonstrate a positive attitude about contributing to the household.

Jobs for 12-Year-Olds: Earning, Learning, and Growing

At 12 years old, children are ready to take on more responsibilities and can begin exploring opportunities to earn their own money while developing valuable life skills. Though many traditional jobs require a minimum age of 14 or 16, there are plenty of age-appropriate options for a 12-year-old to start gaining experience, building confidence, and learning the value of hard work.

Why Jobs for 12-Year-Olds Are Beneficial

Teaches Responsibility: Handling a job teaches kids how to manage their time and commitments.
Encourages Independence: Earning their own money fosters self-reliance and decision-making.
Develops Skills: Kids learn important skills such as communication, problem-solving, and work ethic.
Builds Confidence: Successfully completing tasks and earning rewards boosts self-esteem.

Jobs for 12-Year-Olds

Here are some great job ideas for 12-year-olds that are safe, age-appropriate, and often flexible:

1. Babysitting

What They’ll Do: Supervise younger kids, play games, and ensure their safety.
Skills Gained: Responsibility, patience, and problem-solving.
Getting Started: Complete a babysitting course, such as those offered by the Red Cross, to learn the basics and build trust with parents.

2. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

What They’ll Do: Feed, walk, and care for pets while owners are away.
Skills Gained: Time management and responsibility.
Getting Started: Offer services to neighbors or family friends who need pet care.

3. Yard Work

What They’ll Do: Mow lawns, rake leaves, pull weeds, or water plants.
Skills Gained: Physical labor, task completion, and customer service.
Getting Started: Create flyers or ask local homeowners if they need help.

4. House Sitting

What They’ll Do: Collect mail, water plants, and ensure the house looks lived-in while the owners are away.
Skills Gained: Dependability and organizational skills.
Getting Started: Start with family friends or neighbors who trust them.

5. Tutoring

What They’ll Do: Help younger children with subjects they excel in, such as math, reading, or science.
Skills Gained: Leadership and communication.
Getting Started: Spread the word at school or within the community about tutoring services.

6. Lemonade Stand or Bake Sales

What They’ll Do: Sell homemade lemonade, baked goods, or crafts.
Skills Gained: Entrepreneurial spirit and money management.
Getting Started: Set up a stand in a safe, high-traffic area with parental guidance.

7. Online Jobs

What They’ll Do: Create content for a blog, YouTube channel, or social media platform, or sell handmade crafts online.
Skills Gained: Creativity and technical know-how.
Getting Started: Choose a niche they enjoy and have parental supervision for safety.

8. Assisting Parents

What They’ll Do: Help with family business tasks such as organizing files, packing orders, or simple errands.
Skills Gained: Insight into real-world work and responsibility.
Getting Started: Ask parents if they have tasks suitable for their age and skills.

9. Car Washing

What They’ll Do: Wash and vacuum cars for family, friends, or neighbors.
Skills Gained: Attention to detail and customer service.
Getting Started: Gather supplies and advertise locally.

10. Helping Seniors

What They’ll Do: Assist elderly neighbors with grocery shopping, light cleaning, or tech help (e.g., setting up a phone or computer).
Skills Gained: Empathy and interpersonal skills.
Getting Started: Offer services to seniors in the neighborhood.

Tips for Success

Start Small: Begin with family, friends, or trusted neighbors to build experience.
Be Reliable: Encourage punctuality and consistent quality in their work.
Supervise When Needed: Ensure a parent or guardian is aware of their jobs and provides guidance.
Follow Local Laws: Some areas have age restrictions on certain types of work, so always check local regulations.

Chore Chart for 12 Year Old

Each child develops at a different pace. Some kids might not be ready for some of these chores. If not, don’t push them. Check out our list of age-appropriate chores to find daily chores for kids that are more relevant.

In addition to household chores, your 12-year-old has many other responsibilities including school, home, social engagements, after-school activities, etc.

This free printable weekly planner will help them keep track of their daily and weekly responsibilities including chores, after-school activities, and homework. It also has a section to plan for the next week and month. Help your child learn how to keep organized and plan ahead. It is a great gift that will be useful later on in life both in college and the workplace.

Word | Excel | Editable PDF | Image

Word | Excel | Editable PDF | Image

How to Make a Chore Chart

1. Open the chore chart maker by clicking on the button above.

2. Select any chore chart template.

3. Change the border (optional).

4. Change the chore chart format if you wish. There are daily and weekly chore chart templates. Some charts track an allowance and some offer paid chores. Some have options for siblings. Choose the chore sheet that works best for you.

5. Edit the text.

6. Add chore images to embellish if you wish.

7. Download your printable chore chart (the formats available are jpg, png, SVG, or PDF).

Here are some sample chore charts made with the app. These are only samples and the possibilities are endless.

Customize & Print

Sample Chore Charts

These chore charts include rewards for completing all charts. A reward system is often an effective way to get kids to do chores until they become habit.

Customize & Print