Need to make a chore chart for kids? Here's a simple solution you can create quickly to help everyone stay on track with their routines.
Chore Chart for Kids
Last fall, I saw an example of a magnetic chore chart that I thought would be perfect for our kids.
It was visual, and it looked like it would be easy for everyone in the family to use.
But I didn't have magnets or fancy supplies to make it work.
So, I put together a chore chart using printer paper, and washi tape, and it worked out great for us!
Since then I've made a prettier version, but it really isn't necessary.
Because it worked so well for us, I thought I'd share it with you today.
How to Make a Chore Chart
When you're thinking about how you want to set up your chore charts, consider the following:
- Ease of use – Make it as easy to follow and use as possible.
- Age-appropriate – Assign chores that children can easily do based on their age. Here's a list of age-appropriate chores for kids.
- Time needed – Realistically think about how much time the chores will take. Chores could be more time-intensive in the summers, but ease up during the school year.
- Flexibility – Be willing to change up your chore chart to make it work better for your family. Usually a few tweaks here and there can make using a chore chart much more pleasant for everyone involved.
If you're just getting started, I recommend not getting too fancy.
Seriously, just use some printer paper and washi tape.
Especially if you're just trying this out for the first time.
If you don't have washi tape, basic painters tape will work too.
Once you decide on which chores everyone will be responsible, you can make your chore chart like a tear off flyer you'd see on a bulletin board.
Cut the correct number of “strips” for each chore. Then attach a small piece of tape to the bottom of each chore strip.
Hang the chore chart on a bulletin board, your fridge, or wherever your family can easily see it.
When someone finishes a chore, they can fold the chore strip up, and stick it in place with the washi tape.
That makes it easy to see which chores still need to be done!
Daily Chore Chart
When we made our chore chart, we made a list of daily habits that we wanted the kids to establish.
While some of the chores are actually things that help around the house, a lot of their tasks were habits they needed to build as growing kids.
Your daily chores should be different than what we used, because ours are very specific to our kids, our household, and the skills we wanted them to build in the summer.
Here's what we put on our summer chore chart:
- Brush teeth & hair (habit)
- Wipe off sink and counter in bathroom (habit)
- Make bed (habit)
- Unload dishwasher/Sweep floor (chore)
- Wipe table or counter after eating (habit)
- Parent choice (usually an easy chore)
- Daily chore (comes from the weekly chore list – see below)
- Pull 25 weeds (chore)
- Put away all of your things in family room (habit)
- Everything off floor in your room and playroom (habit)
- Practice number facts for 15 minutes (learning)
- Piano practice with iPad for 15 minutes (learning)
- Read independently for 30 minutes (habit/learning)
- Write 7 sentences in your journal (learning)
Seem like a lot?
It is!
If you are just starting out, this could be overwhelming.
This works for us right now because:
- Our kids were used to this type of a chore chart
- It's summertime, and we have absolutely nowhere to go!
- It was an easy way for us to integrate learning and life skills into our every day.
If your family is in a busy season of life, keep it simple!
Just focus on the 3-5 chores that matter the most.
Read: Easy-to-Use Chore Chart Ideas for Kids
Weekly Chore Chart
Every day, we also have a “daily chore” that comes from our weekly chore chart.
It's posted above the daily chore charts for easy reference.
These are usually quick cleaning chores that we're working on teaching our kids.
Here are some of the weekly chores on our list:
- Clean a toilet
- Dust
- Vacuum
- Take out trash cans on garbage day
- Do your laundry (each child has his own laundry day)
- Sweep porch
Chore Chart for Adults
I also have a “chore chart” for myself that I use to remember what I need to do weekly and daily.
I've used it for over a year, and it's helped me stay on track.
Every once in a while I change it up as our circumstances change, so it's not set in stone.
I also try to do some weekly chores that my kids are working on too so I can be with them while they're learning to clean, vacuum, and dust.
If you have older children, this type of a chart would probably work well for them too!
Want to make your own home management plan with weekly and daily chores?
Go here to grab the free home management plan workbook and get started today!
More Resources for Routines and Habits
- A Weekly Home Management Routine that Works for You
- How to Build Your Essential Routine
- How to Start a Simple Daily Laundry Routine
