I found this article to be quite illuminating. In a nutshell a traveler arranged through a program known as Workaway to stay with a host family for free and in return would help around the house. Unfortunately she ran afoul of her visas and is now in a US immigration detention center. Tourist visas typically do not permit any type of work. Even something as innocuous as helping with household chores in return for accommodation counts as work.
A friend's son did something similar under a different program which allowed paid work with time off. He did not have a tourist visa.
A friend's son did something similar under a different program which allowed paid work with time off. He did not have a tourist visa.