How Do I Make a Chore Chart For My Child? Templates & Tips

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1520px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

I have been drowning in housework lately! With everyone home all the time, everything seems to be piling up four times faster than ever before.

It got me thinking, I’m not the only one with arms in my house! A chore chart would be a huge help to get the rest of the house involved.

So, how do I make a chore chart for my children?

An effective chore chart will not only get the house clean faster. It increases your kids’ self esteem, fosters independence and helps teach respect for the house and things. Below are:

The steps to making an effective kids chore chart;

Tips to keep your chore chart working successfully, and
Some free kids’ chore chart templates & printables to choose from! There’s something in here for everyone.

Let’s get to it!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Children-washing-dishes.jpg” alt=”Children washing dishes” title_text=”Children washing dishes” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Table of Contents

How to make a Kids Chore Chart: 4 Steps

Step 1. Brainstorm your List of Chores

The number of chores you ultimately put on your chart is totally up to you. There are some chore chart options below that rotate all the different things to do throughout the week, and some that give one to three chores to each child, and that’s their responsibility each day.

The easiest way to come up with a list of chores is to physically walk into each room with a pen and paper, and imagine cleaning it. Write down each step you would take if you were cleaning the room yourself. Would you:

Take out the things that don’t belong,
Put things in their place,

Dust top to bottom,
Clean the windows,
Empty the trash bins,

Wipe any mirrors and windows
Wipe any window sills, cabinets, shelves, etc
Vacuum/mop the floors,

Wipe the doorknobs, etc.

Then, think about any random “things to do” throughout your own day or week that your kids can take over, like:

Taking out the garbage,

Making their own lunches or breakfasts,
Sorting the laundry or putting it away,
Emptying or loading the dishwasher

Changing out the bathroom towels
Doing a five- or ten-minute tidy of a random room, etc.

This first step is where we can get a little too “chore-happy” and list every single little thing we can possibly do around the house. Remember, there are only a certain number of hours in a week. If you add too many chores to the list, it will take too long to get through all of them, and things will stay messy for longer.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Step 2: Decide what chores go to your kids, and make those chores age-appropriate.

Depending on their ages, younger kids are able to handle things like using nontoxic or natural sprays to wipe surfaces, sorting laundry by color or type, tidying up rooms, or even emptying smaller trash bins.

Older children can have a little more responsibility, like cleaning a certain room, loading the dishwasher, vacuuming, or packing their own lunches.

Tweens and teens can even be in charge of making breakfast, washing dishes, doing their own laundry, changing bed sheets, and so on.

Here’s a chart with some more chore ideas by age, from Fatherly.com.

Step 3: Add your chores to a chart that is easy to read and understand.

An easy-to-read chore chart should be simple, with clear language.

Your chart can have rows for each chore, and columns for each day of the week. It can also just have two columns to check off when each chore is done, no matter what day it is. It can be organized by day, by child’s name, or by chore.

There are lots of options below for kids chore chart templates, check them out!

If your child is young enough where they need to practice their motor skills, moving a little sticker from a “To Do” column over to a “Done” column is helpful for that.

Step 4: Set up your time for chores, along with a preferred activity before, during or after the chore.

A great option to reduce younger kids’ resistance to doing the chores, is to include something fun into the chores time.

You are basically adding a preferred activity (something fun) to a less preferred activity (the chore), to make the chore more appealing to your kids.

You can add something fun before, during or after the chore. Do some experimenting and see what works for your kids.

Here are some examples:

We are going to [do the chore], then we can have a mini oreo/sticker/playdoh time.
Put on their favorite song or flicker the lights as a fun signal to start the chores/Have a [chore] dance party with their favorite song.
How many windows can we wipe [or whatever chore] before the song ends/timer goes off/tv show starts?

Alternatively, older kids can earn things like extra screen time or something else they enjoy, every time they do “X” number of chores, like ten or so.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.0″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Tips for a Child’s Chore Chart That Works Perfectly…

Teach them the right way to do the chores.

It won’t help you if the kids are just wiping dirt around. Show them the steps and supervise, so you can make a HUGE deal when they do it correctly.

Limit the number of chores to no more than three per day, per child.

We all have a limit on these kinds of things. The last thing we wan is to overwhelm our kids. We want them to feel accomplished and helpful, and feel that we are proud of them. Setting lower expectations and giving plenty of praise will get them more on board when it’s time to give them more responsibility.

You can also add on extra “chores” by creating games around them. When my kids were very young I got them to clean up after themselves by saying, “How many toys are on the floor?” and counting each thing we put away, then redirecting to a different room for reading a book or something.

Model the behavior you want to see.

That means don’t be a slob ourselves, pick things up/put things away when we are done with them, and do not constantly clean up after the other adults in our house. We are a family and everyone helps out. When we show respect for our home, we can more easily expect our kids to show the same respect.

Use non toxic sprays.

I personally like Krud Kutter (1 part KK 3 parts water), Biokleen, and this cool glass cleaner called The Amazing Whip-It. I guess it’s just too fun to spray spray spray the mirrors and windows, the kids almost always overdo it. You don’t want them breathing in ammonia.

Let the kids help make the chart.

Maybe they can color or decorate the chore chart, cut out the check marks, or make their own name tags. If it’s fun for them, they are more likely to use it.

Consider a reward system for pre-tween ages.

If you are getting too much pushback, you can think about implementing a reward system. It only works really well if (1) it is consistent, and (2) you “catch” your kids doing the right thing and immediately use the reward chart.

Keep it simple for them (and yourself). For example, every day they complete their chores, they get a sticker. If they earn five stickers they get more of something they enjoy, like a small cookie, a little extra screen time, etc.

Make “chore time” a part of your schedule so the family knows what to expect.

We like getting chores over with after breakfast, especially now that we aren’t having to commute to school. Pick a consistent time of day that isn’t going to interfere with school work.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”templates-chore-chart” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Kids Chore Chart Templates!

Here are some great Kids’ Chore Charts to spark your imagination, or since they are free to download, you can just click through and print them out!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_code][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.5em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Some Supplies for your New Kids’ Chore Chart:

Command Wall hanging Strips. I use just the sticky parts to stick thicker things like these charts onto the wall, and it comes right off with no problem.

Velcro Stickers or Teacher Fun-Tack. These are great for keeping check marks sticky when you mark off what’s been done.

Heavier weight (thicker) paper, or you can tape your chart onto a piece of cardboard, like a cereal box, so it doesn’t rip.

Final Thoughts

The home belongs to the whole family, for the family to enjoy, and take care of. Chores and cleaning should not fall only to you. This is a terrific opportunity to teach responsibility, respect and care for the things we have.

Chore charts can make these things fun, easy to understand and easy to stay consistent with. I hope you’ve found out how to make an awesome chore chart for your child!

Which chart is your favorite? Mine are the chore sticks, we use them at home. We call them “Pick-a-Sticks.” Let me know in the comments!

XO,

-Mina

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” link_font_size=”19px” link_line_height=”1.6em” ul_font=”||||||||” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” quote_font_size=”19px” quote_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

If you enjoyed this post, please Share & Pin it!!!

Checkout my other Blog Posts & be sure to follow me on Pinterest, I have TONS more great content!!

Here are some more posts that might be helpful:

Try This Epic Laundry Hack for Cleaner Clothes!

How To Declutter A Room In 30 Minutes Or Less

Majorly Productive Things To Do Over The School Break

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]