Chores for teenagers aged 13 to 17
Teenagers aged 13 to 17 can carry two daily chores and one bigger weekly job. Daily jobs such as cooking the rice and helping a younger sibling with homework, and weekly ones such as mopping the floor, ironing school clothes or cleaning the bathroom. The aim is simple: by the time they leave home, they can run one.
What chores are right for teenagers aged 13 to 17?
Picked from the 51 ready chores in UrusFamily that start between ages 13 and 17. Points follow chore size: Tiny 1, Small 2, Medium 3, Big 5. The overview for every age is in the chores by age guide.
A fair loadTwo daily chores and one bigger weekly job
| Chore | How often | Points | What done looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook the rice | Every day | Small, 2 points | Enough rice for the household, neither mushy nor hard. |
| Chop the vegetables | Every day | Small, 2 points | Vegetables cut to the size asked for, board and knife washed. |
| Help a younger sibling with homework | School days | Small, 2 points | Sits with a younger sibling until homework is done, without doing it for them. |
| Cook breakfast | Once a week | Small, 2 points | Family breakfast on time, stove off and wiped. |
| Watch a younger sibling for a while | When needed | Small, 2 points | Sibling watched for the agreed time, a parent's number at hand. |
| Run the washing machine | Once a week | Small, 2 points | Whites and colours sorted, detergent measured, load washed and hung up. |
| Change your own bed sheets | Once a week | Small, 2 points | Sheet and pillowcases changed, the dirty set in the basket. |
| Write the grocery list | Once a week | Small, 2 points | List written after checking the fridge and the rice, oil and sugar stock. |
| Iron school clothes | Once a week | Medium, 3 points | This week's school clothes ironed and hung. |
| Wash school shoes | Once a week | Medium, 3 points | White shoes clean again and dry before Monday. |
| Mop the floor | Once a week | Medium, 3 points | Swept first, then mopped, and it dries without streaks. |
| Help out at a kenduri | When needed | Medium, 3 points | One fixed job through the kenduri, such as serving drinks or collecting plates. |
| Clean the bathroom | Once a week | Big, 5 points | Toilet, sink and floor scrubbed, mirror wiped, bin emptied. |
| Wash the car | Once a week | Big, 5 points | Body rinsed with no soap left, wheels and windows clean. |
| Cook a simple lunchFrom age 15 | Once a week | Medium, 3 points | One simple dish such as fried rice or noodles, stove off, sink clear. |
| Clean out the fridgeFrom age 15 | Once a week | Medium, 3 points | Old food out, shelves wiped, everything put back in order. |
Only at 13 do Big, 5 point chores such as cleaning the bathroom and washing the car join the list. The goal is independence, not only helping out.
What can teenagers aged 13 to 17 usually manage?
Only points we checked against the original source. Each link opens that source.
- The AAP list for teens. In the AAP article on household chores for teens, Dr Shelly Flais lists vacuuming shared spaces, washing and vacuuming the car, yard work such as weeding, cleaning the kitchen after meal prep, pet care and helping with younger siblings.
- Smartphones and washing machines. The same article argues that a teen who can work a smartphone can also learn to use a washing machine and an oven.
- Busy schedules and part-time jobs. Lots of activities are no excuse for skipping chores, and teens who start part-time work still need to contribute at home.
- Housework is work. The AAP wants teens to understand that work at home is as valuable as work outside it.
This page is general guidance. If your teen avoids every responsibility at home and has the same problem at school, the AAP suggests talking to a doctor.
How does it fit a Malaysian family routine?
Three situations common in Malaysian homes, and how the list above changes.
Form years and SPM
Secondary school brings co-curricular activities and exams. In exam weeks, cut down to one daily chore, then bring the big job back once exams are over.
Helpers and boarding school
Before asrama or university, make sure your teen has run the washing machine, ironed their own clothes, changed their sheets and cooked a simple meal.
Ramadan and Raya
Teens can take bubur lambuk to a neighbour, hold one fixed job at a kenduri or open house, and take a big share of the cleaning before Raya.
Want a paper version for the fridge?
Chore chart, ages 13 to 17
Chores from this list, with points, on one A4 weekly chart.
Download PDF
The 30-Day Chores Reset
A free PDF ebook: a 30-day plan in four stages, a family meeting script and printable trackers. No email needed.
See the free ebookHow does UrusFamily help?
You can stick the list above straight on the fridge. If your family uses UrusFamily, the app suggests ready chores by your child's age when you add a chore for them, and every chore carries points by size. Everyone's points add up to one family goal. For jobs that are easy to forget, ask for a photo as proof; the photo is deleted once it is checked.
Free for iPhone and Android.
Questions about chores for teenagers
What chores should a teenager do?
Two daily chores such as cooking the rice, chopping vegetables or helping a younger sibling with homework, and one bigger weekly job such as mopping the floor, ironing school clothes, cleaning the bathroom or washing the car.
Should a teen be excused from chores in their SPM year?
Cut down, do not cut out. In exam weeks keep one short daily chore and pause the big job. Bring the big job back once exams are over.
My teen has a part-time job. Do they still help at home?
Yes. The AAP article on teens says a part-time job does not mean they stop contributing at home, and that housework is as valuable as work outside.
What should a teen know before boarding school or university?
At least how to run the washing machine, iron their own clothes, change their sheets, cook a simple meal and buy things at the shop. All of these are in the UrusFamily chore list for ages 13 to 15.
Should teenagers be paid for chores?
That is a family choice. One approach is unpaid basic chores, with extra big jobs such as washing the car earning allowance. The UrusFamily allowance guide explains save, spend and give.
Other ages and related guides
Ages 4 to 6Ages 7 to 9Ages 10 to 12All agesKids' allowanceWithout nagging
Where does this come from?
Each source was checked directly on 29 October 2026. Chores, sizes and points come from the UrusFamily app.