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Article by Jared

Top Summer Chore Ideas for Kids

We know paying for chores isn’t for every family, but if you’re part of the 34% of parents who tie pocket money to chores, you might be looking for some summer chore ideas for your kids to earn that extra ice cream cash. Here’s the top paid summer chores from our Pocket Money Index, plus some other suggestions to give you some inspiration.

Mowing the lawn – £3.68

Mowing the lawn remains the best paid chore for the second year running in our Pocket Money Index. It’s a popular chore for kids hoping to maximise their earning potential and for parents who want to hand over some extra responsibility to their kids.

Cleaning the car – £3.33

Cleaning the car is a classic to help kids earn some extra pocket money. Get your kids to fetch a bucket of soapy water, a sponge, and a hose, and let them have some fun spraying down the car (and, maybe, each other) until both are sparkling clean.

Vacuuming – £1.03

Facing a classic rainy UK summer day? Entice the kids to help out with the hoovering by explaining that their hard work now will pay off later; they’ll have even more pocket money to spend on their ice-lollies when the sun reappears.

Gardening – £1.66

Aside from mowing the lawn, there are loads of other gardening related activities that kids can help out with. Summer is the ideal season for kids to get their hands dirty and head out on a gardening adventure. They can learn about different plant varieties, and experience the joy of seeing their hard work bear fruit (or vegetables!). If you’re feeling a bit green-fingered yourself, why not learn what you can plant with your kids?

Dusting – £1.11

Certainly not anyone’s favourite task, but dusting is an easy chore that kids can do every few days to earn a little extra pocket money. It’s easy enough that even the smaller kids can play their part to keep the house clean and tidy.

Why not try…

Garage clear out

The summer break is an excellent opportunity to declutter and organise, and the garage can sometimes be the most cluttered of all. Involve your kids in a garage clear-out project, and give them a little extra dosh to get involved. Together, go through the items in the garage and categorise them into keep, donate, or discard piles. Encourage your kids to take charge of sorting their belongings and making decisions about what they no longer need.

Think they could sell some of their old stuff? Check out how you can help with our parents’ guide to online reselling.

Clean up after the BBQ

Summer often means hosting barbecues and enjoying burgers, hot dogs, and grilled veggies in the sun. You could get your kids involved by assigning them the important chore of cleaning up after the BBQ; helping collect and wash dishes, wipe down tables and chairs, and tidying the outdoor eating area. If they are a little older, they could even help in cooking and using the BBQ, as long as they do it with an adult.

Garden or play area clean out

Outdoor play areas and gardens can quickly become cluttered during summer with footballs, paddling pools, and soft toys. Encourage your kids to take charge of cleaning and organising these spaces for a little extra cash whenever they are done playing with them.

Dog walking and pet care

If your children are old enough (and it’s not raining cats and dogs), give them a little extra pocket money for walking the dog – not only does it get them out the house, it’ll also give them a sense of responsibility by taking care of their fluffy friend. Or, if you have cats, birds, fish, or any other animals – give them the task of cleaning up after them, sorting their dinner, or even just playing with them.

Looking for more?

If you’re still not sure how much to give, check out ‘how much pocket money should I give?’ Or, looking to find out how other families do pocket money? Check out the Pocket Money Essentials.

The data in this article is compiled from our 2024/2025 Pocket Money Index research report.