PouchPrintable chore chart for teens
Quick answer
A teen chore chart works best as a short written agreement. List the jobs your teen owns each week, set a time of day or a deadline for each, and keep paid extras on a separate line. Print the sample below, agree on it together, and review it after a month.
Why a teen chart looks different
Many teens outgrow pictures and stickers. A clear standard, a due time and a say in who decides often fit better. A chart that reads like a short agreement fits that better than a reward grid.
Teen weekly contract
| Chore | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidy own room | |||||||
| Dishes after dinner | |||||||
| Own laundryonce this week | |||||||
| Take out trash and recyclingonce this week | |||||||
| Clean the bathroomonce this week | |||||||
| Cook one family mealonce this week |
Writing the contract
- Sit down together and list what the household needs in a week.
- Split the list into expected jobs and optional paid extras.
- For each job, write the standard and the deadline, such as "dishes done by 8 p.m."
- Agree on what happens if a job is missed: it moves, or a trade is made.
- Sign or initial it, then print it and put it where your teen will see it. For cooking, cleaning products, yard work and anything with a car or ladder, agree when an adult is nearby; the chores pages for ages 13 to 17 have safety notes.
What goes on the sheet
| Column | What to write |
|---|---|
| Job | Short name, such as Laundry |
| Standard | What done looks like |
| Due | Day or time |
| Done | A tick box for each day |
| Extra pay | Amount if it is a paid extra |
Our guide on tying allowance to chores helps you decide which jobs are expected and which are paid.
Reviewing it
- Look at the chart together once a week for five minutes.
- Ask your teen what is working and what is not.
- Change one line at a time.
- Revisit the whole thing each term or when a job or sport changes the week.
Money and independence
If you pay, the guide to allowance for teenagers covers what an amount can include. For skills ideas, see chores for 13-year-olds through chores for 17-year-olds. Pouch can hold a pretend balance and chore-by-chore pay if your teen likes a record.
Questions parents ask
What chores should be on a teenager's chart?
Their room, laundry, dishes, a weekly cleaning job and one meal a week are common. Adjust for school and work.
Should a teen's chart include stickers or rewards?
Often not. A deadline and a clear standard suit many teens, with money only for optional extras.
How do I stop my teen ignoring the chart?
Write it with them, keep it short and review it weekly. A chart they helped make is harder to ignore.
How often should I update it?
Change small items as needed and redo the whole thing each term or when their schedule changes.