Life Skills HQ
The right skills at the right age

Life Skills Checklist by Age

Life doesn't ask the same things of you at 7 that it does at 27 or 67.

Here's a life skills checklist by age — from ages 5 to 60+ — so you can find the skills meant for your stage right now and the ones coming next.

We expect a lot of people at every stage of life — but rarely tell them what “on track” actually looks like. This life skills checklist by agebreaks the practical skills of independence into seven life stages, from early childhood through retirement. Use it to find where you stand today, spot the gaps, and start closing them — one short, step-by-step mission at a time inside Life Skills HQ.

How to Use This Life Skills Checklist

This checklist is a set of guideposts, not a set of deadlines. Here's how to get the most out of it:

  • Find your current life stage and scan the skills listed there. You'll likely find some you've already mastered and a few you haven't.
  • Look backward at the previous stage for important gaps. It's never too late to pick up a skill you missed.
  • Look ahead at the next stage to see what's coming. Knowing what's around the corner helps you prepare before you need it.
  • Work on a few skills at a time rather than trying to check off an entire stage at once.

For children and teens, these age ranges are approximate. Every child develops at their own pace, and many of these skills require adult supervision or guidance. Use the lists as a starting point for what to introduce and practice together — not as a standard your child must meet independently by a specific age. For the 18–25 stage, our life skills for young adults guide is a dedicated, deeper resource.

Ages 5–9: The Early Starters

Simple habits that build independence, kindness, and curiosity. Every child develops at their own pace — these are guideposts, not deadlines. Many of these skills are learned alongside a parent or caregiver.

  1. Tie your own shoes
  2. Dress yourself without help
  3. Brush your teeth twice a day
  4. Wash your hands properly
  5. Clean up your own toys
  6. Say please and thank you
  7. Introduce yourself to another kid
  8. Help set the table
  9. Make your bed in the morning
  10. Feed a family pet
  11. Know your full name, address, and parents’ phone number
  12. Dial 911 and ask for help

Ages 10–12: The Pre-Teen Foundations

Start taking real responsibility for daily life and money. Supervision and guidance are still important at this stage — these skills are introduced and practiced with adult support.

  1. Cook a simple meal with supervision
  2. Do your own laundry (load, wash, dry)
  3. Pack your own school bag
  4. Keep track of homework and due dates
  5. Manage a small weekly allowance
  6. Save up for something you want
  7. Make a doctor or dentist appointment with help
  8. Write a polite thank-you note
  9. Use basic tools safely (hammer, screwdriver)
  10. Stay safe online and not share personal info
  11. Recognize a stranger danger situation
  12. Help with younger siblings responsibly

Ages 13–17: The Teen Independence Years

Build the skills you’ll need to launch into adulthood. Many of these overlap with our life skills for young adults guide, which covers the same ground in more depth.

  1. Manage your own school schedule
  2. Open a bank account with a parent
  3. Budget money you earn or receive
  4. Cook several meals on your own
  5. Do all your own laundry
  6. Clean a bathroom and kitchen
  7. Write a first resume
  8. Fill out a job application
  9. Apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license
  10. Understand how credit cards and interest work
  11. Read a pay stub
  12. Have a hard conversation respectfully
  13. Use public transportation alone
  14. Basic first aid and CPR awareness
  15. Understand digital privacy and your footprint
  16. Plan a study schedule for exams

Ages 18–25: The Launch Into Adulthood

The make-or-break years — run your money, home, and career. For a dedicated, deeper roadmap of this stage, see our life skills for young adults guide.

  1. Build a monthly budget you follow
  2. Open checking and savings accounts
  3. File your first tax return
  4. Build credit from scratch and monitor your score
  5. Build a starter emergency fund
  6. Read a lease before signing it
  7. Set up utilities in your name
  8. Shop for groceries with a list and a budget
  9. Cook a handful of healthy meals
  10. Write a resume and cover letter
  11. Prepare for a job interview
  12. Negotiate your first salary
  13. Find a primary care doctor
  14. Understand your health insurance basics
  15. Set up automatic savings
  16. Start investing in low-cost index funds
  17. Build a professional LinkedIn profile
  18. Create a cleaning routine that sticks
  19. Maintain a basic set of tools

Ages 26–40: The Building Years

Grow your career, family, finances, and home with intention. See our financial skills and career readiness guides for deeper coverage.

  1. Automate your savings and investments
  2. Maximize your employer 401(k) match
  3. Pay off high-interest debt
  4. Build a full 3–6 month emergency fund
  5. Understand the home-buying process
  6. Budget for ongoing home maintenance
  7. Plan financially for a new baby
  8. Merge finances in a marriage (or not)
  9. Have the money talk before you marry
  10. Ask for a raise with evidence
  11. Set and pursue career goals
  12. Build a professional network intentionally
  13. Understand life insurance and estate basics
  14. Plan for childcare costs
  15. Have hard conversations with kids
  16. Build resilience during career or life changes
  17. Set boundaries to protect your time and energy
  18. Schedule preventative health screenings
  19. Protect your privacy and family’s digital life

Ages 41–60: The Mid-Life Mastery Years

Protect what you’ve built and plan for the next chapter. Our personal well-being skills and home maintenance guides are useful here too.

  1. Reassess your retirement savings progress
  2. Rebalance your investment portfolio
  3. Create a basic will and estate plan
  4. Review insurance coverage (life, disability, long-term care)
  5. Help care for aging parents responsibly
  6. Navigate a mid-career pivot
  7. Mentor others in your field
  8. Manage the emotional weight of change
  9. Talk to aging parents about their finances and care
  10. Plan for kids’ college or training costs
  11. Prioritize preventative health and screenings
  12. Build a calming evening routine
  13. Manage stress before it manages you
  14. Recognize signs of burnout
  15. Downsize or right-size your home intentionally
  16. Protect against fraud and scams targeting older adults

Ages 60+: The Legacy & Independence Years

Stay sharp, protected, and connected as life shifts. For broader context, see our 100 life skills master list.

  1. Understand Medicare and Social Security
  2. Plan your retirement income strategy
  3. Update your will, beneficiaries, and estate documents
  4. Protect against scams and financial fraud
  5. Manage medications and doctor visits
  6. Stay socially connected and combat isolation
  7. Build a daily routine that keeps you moving
  8. Downsize and declutter intentionally
  9. Have conversations about end-of-life wishes
  10. Plan for long-term care options
  11. Stay financially resilient through retirement
  12. Understand inherited assets and tax implications
  13. Keep your digital accounts and passwords organized
  14. Pass on your story and values to the next generation

Everything you need to adult with confidence

Seven learning paths covering every major area of adult life.

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Automotive

Track your vehicle, understand maintenance schedules, and make confident decisions at the dealership and shop.

Employment

Land the job, negotiate your salary, navigate workplace dynamics, and build a career that grows with you.

Personal Well-Being

Build healthy habits, manage stress, set boundaries, and take care of your mental and physical health.

Home Management

Renting, buying, maintenance, and everyday upkeep — everything you need to run a household with confidence.

Life Transitions

Navigate moving, marriage, divorce, job changes, and major milestones with clarity and a solid game plan.

Life Hacks

Shortcuts, quick fixes, and clever everyday systems that save you time and effort.

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