Ages 13–16
Chore ideas for teens
Teens reject charts that look like preschool. They do not reject structure. Give them a plain checklist, real jobs, and a written deal on money or keys.
If a teen “doesn’t notice mess,” they can still own a cycle: trash night, a bathroom, a dinner, their laundry. Noticing is a skill you can stop waiting for.
High-leverage jobs
Start-to-fold laundry, a simple dinner, full bathroom, trash and recycling, grocery list, lawn or car interior, walking the dog in the dark with a phone and a plan.
Life admin is also a chore
Checking the calendar for rides, logging allowance, packing sports gear the night before. These prevent the 6:55am scramble you are currently sponsoring.
Questions parents ask
- Should teens get paid for everything?
- Pay for extras (car wash, extra babysitting). Baseline household work can stay unpaid if that is your family ethic — just say so on the chart so it is not a moving target.