12 chores a 9-year-old can do
- Load and unload the dishwasher
- Fold and put away their own laundry
- Take trash and recycling to the curb
- Vacuum their room and the hallway
- Pack their own school lunch
- Clean the bathroom sink and mirror
- Change their own sheets, with a little help
- Walk the dog on a familiar route
- Make a simple breakfast or snack
- Wipe kitchen counters after dinner
- Rake leaves or pull weeds
- Keep track of their own homework
Three ways to pay a 9-year-old
- Pay per chore. Each job has a price and the week's total depends on what gets done. Good for kids who like to see a number climb.
- Base amount plus paid extras. Everyday jobs are covered by a small set allowance, and bigger jobs like raking leaves pay extra.
- Split every payday three ways. Whatever they earn goes into spend, save and give. A 9-year-old can do the dividing themselves.
All three work with allowance mode. Turn on "Pay for chores", set an amount next to each paid job and leave the unpaid ones blank.
Skills to add this year
- Laundry, start to finish. Sort, load, measure soap, start the machine, move it to the dryer. Do it together a few times first.
- One recipe they own. Scrambled eggs, a sandwich lunch or pasta with you at the stove.
- Packing lunch. Give them a simple formula, such as a main, a fruit, a vegetable and a snack.
- Planning ahead. A weekly job with a deadline ("by Saturday noon") in place of a set time teaches them to manage their own schedule.
Questions parents ask
How many chores should a 9 year old have? Five to seven suits most 9-year-olds: three or four daily jobs and two or three bigger weekly ones.
How long should chores take a 9 year old? About 15 to 20 minutes on a school day, with the longer jobs saved for the weekend.
Should a 9 year old do their own laundry? Many can, with help at first. Start by having them fold and put away, then add sorting and running the machine with you nearby.
More charts: chore chart for 8 year olds, chore chart for 10 year olds, allowance chore chart. Prefer a ready-made set? Printable packs are on our Etsy shop.