Chores for screen time: how to set it up

How to set up chores for screen time

Start small. A short, clear list works better than a long one. Write down what “done” looks like, so you and your child agree before anyone starts.

1. Choose the chores. Pick two or three your child can do on their own.
2. Say what done means. “Clean your room” is vague. “Clothes in the basket, toys on the shelf, bed made” is clear.
3. Set the minutes. Give each chore a small, fixed reward.
4. Set a daily most. This keeps earned time a bonus, not a second allowance.
5. Check, then reward. Look at the finished chore before the time is added.
6. Review after a week. If a number doesn’t feel fair, change it.

Prefer paper? Try our free printable earn screen time chart.

Chore ideas by age

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests chores that grow with your child. These ideas come from its age-appropriate chores guide:

• Ages 5 to 7: make their bed, set and clear the table, weed and rake leaves, make and pack a school lunch.
• Ages 8 to 10: the chores above, plus vacuum, help make dinner, make their own snacks, walk a pet.
• Ages 11 to 12: the chores above, plus clean the kitchen, change bedsheets, unload the dishwasher, do and fold laundry.

For a child who hasn’t had chores before, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests adding one new task at a time, because a long list can feel like too much.

How many minutes should a chore earn?

Keep it small: about 5 to 15 minutes for most chores. A bigger job, like cleaning the kitchen, can earn a little more. Then set a daily most, so a busy Saturday doesn’t turn into a whole afternoon on a tablet.

Earned time should still fit your child’s day. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests making a Family Media Plan with screen-free times, like meals, homework and before bed, so screens don’t crowd out sleep, play and time together. For young children, the World Health Organization suggests no more than one hour a day of sitting screen time for ages 2 to 4, and less is better.

Keep it fair

• Check before you reward. Kids sometimes say a chore is done when it isn’t. A quick look keeps things honest.
• Praise the effort. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests praising your child’s effort, not just the result.
• Keep the rules the same. The same chore earns the same minutes every time.
• Keep bedtime as bedtime. Earned minutes shouldn’t push bedtime later.
• Not every chore needs a reward. Some jobs are just part of living together. Rewards work best for extra help.

How SteadyBounds does it

SteadyBounds is a parental control app for iPhone and iPad where kids earn extra screen time through learning lessons and chores their parents approve. Chores live in the app, so nobody has to keep track on paper.

Add a chore

1. On your phone, open the Rewards tab.
2. Under Family rewards, tap the chores row with your child’s name.
3. Create a task: a short title, clear instructions and an optional due time.
4. Choose the reward: Screen time, or a Real-world reward like a trip to the park.

Don’t see chores? Turn on Chores and rewards in Settings.

Your child finishes it

Your child sees the task on their iPhone or iPad. When it’s done, they tap I’m done · send for review. With Premium, they can also add a photo of the finished chore. Only parents in your family can see the photo, and it’s deleted automatically 7 days after you review it. A photo is never required.

You check it

The chore shows up on your Rewards tab. Tap Review, then Approve reward, or Ask to try again if it needs another look. Kids can’t pay themselves: every chore reward waits for a parent’s OK.

Good to know

• Earned time fits inside the Extra time allowed you set on your child’s Controls page. If Time Bank is on, anything over that is saved for another day.
• Bedtime, app-free time, breaks and pauses still apply.
• One-off chores are free. Chore routines, which repeat on the days you choose, and chore photos come with Premium.
• Your child can also earn time with short learning lessons.

Questions parents ask

More for parents

• Let kids earn screen time with learning
• Free printable earn screen time chart
• Screen time requests not coming through
• Help with SteadyBounds

This guide is general information for families, not medical advice. If you have questions about your child’s health or habits, talk with your child’s doctor.