Chore Ideas for High School Aged Kids
High school is a crucial time in any kid’s life. It can and will impact the rest of their lives, from their grades and the activities they partake in, to the habits that they develop.
One habit that can make the difference between a well-adjusted adult and one that struggles with responsibility is doing chores.
That might just sound like something a parent would say to get their kids to do their chores, but it’s true! Many studies have shown that doing chores as a child can be the greatest factor in creating responsible adults.
So, what kind of chores are ideal for your high schooler? Let’s take a look!
Why Should High Schoolers Do Chores?
We’ve already covered this briefly, but routinely doing chores will help your teenagers mature into more responsible adults. Your child’s future roommates, partners, and even your child themself will thank you for making them take responsibility for their actions.
Not only that, but kids who do chores tend to have higher self-esteem and are able to better manage frustration.
We all know that feeling of satisfaction when we’ve accomplished a task around the house. Rather than dreading doing the dishes all day long, when you just push through it and get them done, it makes you feel good afterward!
Doing chores also creates better teammates. After all, chores should be done by every member of the house, working together to create a pleasant living environment for everyone. This is a clear display of teamwork, and it’s a nice feeling to know you’re contributing to keeping things running smoothly.
Appropriate Chores for A High Schooler
High schoolers typically fall between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. While it’s going to be a smoother transition if your kids have already been doing chores since middle school or elementary school, if they aren’t used to doing them, it’s never too late to start.
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Cleaning Their Room
Many teenagers struggle with keeping their rooms clean. There shouldn’t be dirty clothes on the floor or dirty dishes hanging around, and their beds should be made.
While it doesn’t have to be sparkling clean 24/7, ensuring a clean room invokes a sense of pride and responsibility that will one day translate over to their own apartment or home.
Doing the Laundry
This is a responsibility that should already be developed. Young children can learn how to sort and fold clothes, but by the time they’re a teenager they should be able to do every step of their laundry on their own.
When they wear their clothes, they should be wrinkle-free, stain-free, and smelling good. If they have a special occasion where they need a special outfit, they should be able to ensure it’s clean and ready. Clean clothes should either be hung up in their closet or folded neatly and put away in the corresponding drawers.
Cooking
They may not be the best of cooks yet, but it’s the thought and effort that counts. By the time your child is a teenager, they should be able to prepare dinner for the family once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated.
For example, it could be a side salad along with a classic spaghetti bolognese, mac and cheese, burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and so on. Make sure they know safe cooking practices, like how to always turn off the stovetop when not in use, how to use oven mitts, which pans and pots to use, and so on.
In addition, your high schooler should be able to prepare their own breakfasts and snacks. At the very least, they should be able to fry some eggs and bacon!
Mow the Lawn
Ah yes, the classic teenager chore of mowing the lawn. Younger children aren’t going to be able to take on this chore, not only due to their physical strength but for safety purposes.
High school is a great age to start learning how to operate the lawn mower safely and effectively. Not only that, but it’s honestly a pretty great workout and the chance to get out and soak up some Vitamin D!
Walking the Dog
Of course, if you don’t have a dog, this isn’t applicable. However, at high school age, they should be able to completely take care of pets - no matter if it’s a hamster, cat, or dog.
Dogs need to go out a minimum of twice a day, and exercise is really important for their mental and physical wellbeing. Teenagers are old enough that they can do so on their own, without the worry of them losing grip on their leash or not being strong enough to control the pup.
Doing the Dishes
Doing the dishes is know easier than ever! All you have to do really, is load and unload the dishwasher.
However, knowing how to handwash dishes is also a valuable skill, and can sometimes save time, too. Make sure they know where pots and pans go, where plasticware goes, and where silverware goes inside the racks.
Best Practices for Assigning Chores to High School Age Kids
Make sure that you’re tracking that your high schooler is actually completing their chores. Physical chore charts are fast becoming obsolete now that everyone does everything from their smartphones. Instead, try the handy Family Daily app which allows you to seamlessly track the chores of every member of your household.
In addition, everyone can make their own to-do lists and keep track of others’ plans so nothing interferes.
Another important thing to mention is that positive reinforcement goes a long way. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) fawn all over your child every time they complete a chore, but try to avoid creating a negative connotation with chores.
Do not use chores as punishment, as this can actually make them averse to doing them over time! It’s not wrong to make your kids do chores, but it’s really never a good idea to associate them with punishment.
Want a more comprehensive guide to assigning chores to your family? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Chores for Kids now!
