How to use a chore chart to teach your kids vital money skills – and the best jobs from age three to teens

Teenage boy in headphones trying hard to win the game on smartphone. Child wearing braces Credit: Getty – Contributor IF getting your kids to tidy their room, feed the dog or unload the dishwasher feels like a daily battle, a chore chart could be the answer. More parents are turning to chore charts to encourage children to pitch in around the house while teaching them valuable money skills. Teach your kids the value of money – and responsibility – with a chore chart Credit: Alamy Join GoHenry and use code AFFUKSUN5 to get two months free + £5 pocket money! The trick is to keep it simple: make tasks age-appropriate and decide whether your little ones will earn pocket money or just help out as part of family life. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! A chore chart is simply a way to list household jobs that your children should complete daily or weekly. Picking a few age-appropriate jobs and setting clear expectations so children know exactly what’s required is a good starting point. You can use a paper chart on the fridge, stickers for younger children, or an app or a platform like GoHenry to track progress. Some families choose to reward completed chores with pocket money, while others use them to teach responsibility without offering cash. But a chore chart isn’t just about getting the house tidy. It can also help children build responsibility and independence, developing good habits they’ll use as adults. Most read in Money It’s also a great way for kids to understand how earning and saving money work. Starting young can help make household chores feel like a normal part of everyday life rather than something to avoid. Whether you reward them with pocket money or simply plenty of praise, a chore chart can be an easy way to build confidence, responsibility and healthy money habits from an early age. Should you pay children for chores? There’s no right or wrong answer. Some parents believe everyday chores should be part of family life, while others use pocket money to teach their children how to earn, save and budget. A good compromise is to make essential household jobs an expectation, while offering payment for extra tasks like washing the car, gardening or cleaning windows. Teach your kids smart money habits with GoHenry If you want a simple, fun way to teach your children how to earn, save, and spend responsibly, GoHenry is the ideal place to start. GoHenry is a seamless, straightforward, transparent prepaid card and app for kids aged 6-18. It offers innovative parental controls and fun money lessons, ensuring a simple, safe financial learning experience. Use code AFFUKSUN5 to get two months free + £5 pocket money! What features does GoHenry include? Parental controls: Set spending limits and block cards instantly. Pocket money tools: Set weekly allowances or chore rewards. Money Missions: Interactive games that teach real financial skills. Custom designs: Over 45 card styles for kids to choose from. No hidden fees: Clear, transparent pricing for peace of mind. How much should you pay? Most parents will use small rewards based on their child’s age and the difficulty of the task. As a rough guide: Younger children could earn 50p to £1 for larger optional jobs. Primary school children might receive £1 to £3. Older children and teenagers could earn £3 to £10 for more time-consuming tasks. The amount matters less than helping children understand that money is earned through effort and should be managed wisely. Chore chart ideas by age Ages three to five At this age, children can help with simple tasks, including: Putting toys away Making their bed with help Watering plants Ages six to nine Children can usually take on more responsibility, such as: Setting the table Emptying the dishwasher Tidying their bedroom Ages 10 to 13 Older children may be able to: Vacuum the house Take the bins out Help with grocery shopping Teenagers Teenagers can often manage larger household jobs, including: Doing laundry from start to finish Cleaning bathrooms Babysitting younger siblings, if suitable