Chores for 4 to 6 year olds
Children aged 4 to 6 can do one or two tiny chores a day, alongside a parent. Start with tidying toys, lining up shoes, bringing their plate to the sink and putting dirty clothes in the basket. Show the job once, do it together until they are confident, and praise the effort even when the result is messy.
What chores are right for 4 to 6 year olds?
Picked from the 47 ready chores in UrusFamily that start between ages 4 and 6. 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 loadOne or two tiny chores a day, alongside a parent
| Chore | How often | Points | What done looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tidy up toys | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Every toy is back in its basket or on its shelf and the floor is clear. |
| Make the bed | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Blanket pulled up flat, pillow at the top. It does not need to be perfect. |
| Line up shoes | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Shoes in pairs on the rack or by the door. |
| Bring your plate to the sink | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Their own plate and cup reach the sink after each meal. |
| Put dirty clothes in the basket | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Worn clothes go in the basket, not on the bathroom floor. |
| Water the plants | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Each pot you pointed out gets water, with no flood on the floor. |
| Put books back on the shelf | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Storybooks go back on the shelf after reading. |
| Feed the cat | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Cat food in the bowl, at the amount you set. |
| Hang up your towelFrom age 5 | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Towel hung on its rail or hook, not left on the bed. |
| Wipe the dining tableFrom age 5 | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Table wiped with a damp cloth, crumbs in the bin. |
| Set out spoons and cupsFrom age 5 | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | One spoon and one cup at each person's place. |
| Match the socksFrom age 5 | Once a week | Tiny, 1 point | Dry socks matched and folded into pairs. |
| Lay out clothes for tomorrowFrom age 6 | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Tomorrow's clothes, socks and tudung or songkok ready on a chair. |
| Fill the school water bottleFrom age 6 | School days | Tiny, 1 point | Bottle filled and in the school bag before bed. |
| Switch off lights and fansFrom age 6 | Every day | Tiny, 1 point | Lights and fans off in empty rooms when leaving. |
At this age nearly every chore is Tiny, 1 point. What matters is not how many chores, but the same time every day.
What can children aged 4 to 6 usually manage?
Only points we checked against the original source. Each link opens that source.
- Likes to be a helper. The CDC milestone list for age 4 says children like to be a helper, and can serve themselves food or pour water with an adult watching.
- Simple chores at age 5. The CDC list for age 5 includes doing simple chores at home, such as matching socks or clearing the table after eating, as a typical milestone.
- Follows rules and takes turns. The same CDC list says 5 year olds can follow rules or take turns in games. A clear chore chart uses the same skill.
- The AAP list for ages 5 to 7. The AAP on HealthyChildren lists, among others, making the bed, setting and clearing the table, putting toys away, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, filling the pet's food dish and watering flowers.
Every child develops at their own pace. This list is general guidance, not a test. If you are worried about your child's development, talk to a doctor or your nearest klinik kesihatan.
How does it fit a Malaysian family routine?
Three situations common in Malaysian homes, and how the list above changes.
Tadika and taska
Whether your child goes to a morning tadika or a full-day taska, pin the chore to one fixed moment: shoes lined up on walking in, plate to the sink after dinner.
With a live-in helper
Keep their own-space jobs for the child: toys, shoes and dirty clothes. The helper can show how, but the child does it.
Ramadan and Raya
In the fasting month, little ones can set out spoons and cups for iftar and help fold the prayer mats. When you balik kampung or host an open house, give them the job of welcoming guests.
Want a paper version for the fridge?
Chore chart, ages 4 to 6
Eight chores with pictures and a blank box where your child draws their own.
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 4 to 6 year olds
What chores can a 4 year old do?
Small jobs with their own things that take a few minutes: tidying toys, making the bed, lining up shoes, bringing their plate to the sink and putting dirty clothes in the basket. Do it together first, then let them try alone.
My 5 year old does it badly. Should I fix it?
Do not redo it in front of them. The AAP advises praising the effort, not the result, and expecting children to learn over time. Show it again calmly the next day, one step only.
My child cannot read yet. How can they follow a chore chart?
Use a picture chart. The free PDF chart for ages 4 to 6 has a picture for every chore and a blank box where your child can draw their own.
Should I give points or rewards to a child this young?
It is optional. At this age specific praise and a tick on the chart is often enough. If you use points, keep them small: in UrusFamily nearly every chore for ages 4 to 6 is worth 1 point.
Is it safe for a 4 to 6 year old to help in the kitchen?
Yes, for jobs with no flame and no knife: bringing plates to the sink, setting out spoons and cups, and wiping the table. In the UrusFamily list, chopping vegetables and cooking rice only start at 13.
Other ages and related guides
Ages 7 to 9Ages 10 to 12Ages 13 to 17All 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.