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At 4, children can do a few chores almost on their own, and they love being trusted with a "real" job. Here's a chore list that fits this age, a free chart to print, and how to keep it fun without nagging.
What changes at 4
Four-year-olds can follow a two-step instruction ("put your cup in the sink, then wash your hands"), use their hands more precisely, and they want to be big. That makes it the right age to hand over a few chores that are truly theirs, even if you still do them together most days.
The CDC's guidance for preschoolers is to let children help with simple chores and give them a limited number of simple choices. Both work well at 4: "Do you want to set the napkins or the spoons?"
Chore list for 4 year olds
- Put toys away in the right bins
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper
- Set napkins and spoons on the table
- Clear their own plate after meals
- Pull up their blanket in the morning
- Help feed the pet (you measure, they pour)
- Match clean socks
- Dust low furniture with a cloth or sock on their hand
- Put shoes and coat away when coming home
- Water plants with a small watering can
Free printable chore chart for 4 year olds
Add a small drawing next to each chore so your child can "read" the chart alone. Start with two or three chores and add more as they become automatic.
Turning chores into a routine
- Anchor each chore to a moment. Blanket after waking up, plate after dinner, toys before the bath.
- Show, then do together, then watch. Most 4-year-olds need a week or two before doing a chore alone.
- Use the chart, not your voice. Point to the chart: "What's next?" Fewer words, fewer arguments.
- Celebrate right away. Color the circle together, with specific praise: "You cleared your plate without me asking!"
- Accept "good enough". Wrinkled blanket, crooked napkins: it still counts.
Rewards at 4
At this age, attention is the strongest reward: a high five, choosing the bedtime story, helping cook. If you use stars, keep the path short (three to five stars to a small reward) and never take earned stars away. Our sticker chart guide has more on how many stickers to aim for.
Next steps
Coming from age 3? See chores for 3 year olds. At 5, children can start owning a chore from start to finish: see chores for 5 year olds. For behavior goals rather than chores, use our preschool behavior chart.
Questions parents ask
What chores can a 4-year-old do?
Putting toys away, clothes in the hamper, setting napkins and spoons, clearing their plate, pulling up their blanket, helping feed the pet, matching clean socks, dusting low furniture.
How many chores should a 4-year-old have?
Two or three daily chores is plenty. Add one only when the first ones happen without a fight.
How do I get my 4-year-old to do chores without nagging?
Tie chores to the same moment every day (toys before dinner), use a picture chart, and point to the chart instead of repeating yourself.
Sources
- CDC, Positive Parenting Tips: Preschoolers (3–5 years old) (updated February 20, 2026).
Turn the chart into a game.
KUDOZ is a family app that does all of this for you: missions, XP, coins and a reward shop your kids actually want to open. Available on iPhone and Android.
This guide shares general parenting information. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or a care plan from a qualified professional.