Getting kids to help around the house can feel like a never-ending battle.
You ask them to clean their room, put away their toys, or help with a household task, only to find yourself asking again five minutes later. Sound familiar?
A chore chart can make the whole process easier by giving kids a clear idea of what they need to do and helping them see their progress. It turns everyday chores into manageable tasks while giving children a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
The best part is that chore charts can be adapted to fit different ages, routines, and reward systems. Whether you have a young child who needs simple visual reminders or an older kid who is ready for more responsibility, there’s a chart that can work for your family.
In this article, you’ll discover practical ideas and tips for using a chore chart to encourage kids to participate, build good habits, and take more responsibility at home.
And don’t forget to download the free Weekly Chore Chart at the end of the article. It’s a simple way to organize chores and keep everyone on track throughout the week.
Let’s get started!
The (Dreaded) Chore List
First rule of thumb… chores should be age appropriate.
That is key.
After all, you wouldn’t ask a 4-year-old to wash the family car… anymore than you would ask a 16-year-old to make his own bath.
And while creating age appropriate chores may seem daunting… it’s really not.
It’s more about knowing your kids… their personalities, their limitations, etc… than about blindly assigning them jobs just for the sake of it.
Keeping that in mind, start by asking yourself two questions:
How old is my child?
Is he or she capable of doing “x”?
Now, because I’m so awesome, I’ve researched for you… breaking down chores by age category:
- Toddler (Ages 2-3 years)
- Kinder (Ages 4-5 years)
- Early Elementary (Ages 6-9 years)
- Double Digit (Ages 10-15 years)
- High School (Ages 16-18 years)
The chore chart you create should incorporate these, along with corresponding incentives.
But we will get to that in a minute.
Toddler Chores
Toddlers are simple creatures.
Truly.
They wear their hearts on their sleeves… and have difficulty expressing themselves.
Case in point… the temper tantrum, which is typically caused by a person not knowing how to process a feeling or desire (e.g.… being tired, hungry, or frustrated).
You can’t ask them to take on too much too soon; however, assigning simple chores gives them a sense of pride and self-worth.
Believe it or not, they like to help at this age.
Considering this, think of a chore chart for toddlers as more of a guidebook for improving their developmental and motor skills… and less about responsibility.
Examples of chores for toddlers include:
- Putting toys away
- Handing items to mom and dad when asked
- Potty training
Turn these mini milestones into a fun, engaging chore chart… you will both go the distance!
Want a copy of Toddler Chores Chart Templates? Click any of the buttons below to download the PDF!
Kinder Chores
By this age, most children are in school for at least a few hours each week.
Whether pre-k or kindergarten, kids are learning more than just the alphabet and counting… they are being socialized.
They are refining their motor skills.
Things like learning how to share, tie their shoes, zipper their coats, and eat with utensils… are all valuable skills that will benefit them later in life.
The chore chart should mirror that.
Examples of chores for kinders include:
- Selecting their outfits for school
- Helping set the dinner table
- Putting on their pajamas
- As always, use your common sense.
It’s probably not a good idea for kids this age to put glasses on the table, but they can certainly get all of their plastic or paper dishes and cups out.
Holding them mildly accountable for helping will give them great pride.
Want a copy of Kinder Chore Chart Templates? Click any of the buttons below to download the PDF!
Early Elementary Chores
Kids grow up fast.
Seriously, one minute, you are swaddling them in your arms…, and the next, they are glued to their tablets and TV sets.
Mickey Mouse is no longer cool. He’s been replaced by Sponge Bob, Bart Simpson, and a girl named Jessie.
So, after we take a moment to wax nostalgic (sigh), we need to focus on what that means for their responsibilities at home.
If kids this age can figure out how to download video games and program the DVR, they can certainly handle a little more on the ol’ chore chart.
Their chores should now incorporate a handful of items that they can take off your list.
Chores such as:
- Making their bed
- Putting clean laundry away
- Feeding the dog
Want a copy of Early Elementary Chore Chart Templates? Click any of the buttons below to download the PDF!
Double Digit Chores
Ah… what a glorious age!
Your child is now expressing themselves… loud and clear!
Not always in a good way, either.
It may feel as if “Sassy” has become your daughter’s middle name… and your son practically lives in his room with headphones on all day.
You are well versed in what a selfie is… and your child may have now asked you to stand 30 feet behind them at the bus stop.
Yes, time flies.
We need to adapt.
And so must the chore chart.
At this age, some Double Digit duties should include:
- Packing their school lunches
- Taking out the recycling
- Loading/Unloading the dishwasher
It may seem very “hard knock life” to you… but trust me, they can handle these things. And you deserve the help!
Want a copy of Double Digit Chore Chart Templates? Click any of the buttons below to download the PDF!
High School Chores
By now, your kids are truly young adults.
They can drive a car…
Can walk home from school on their own…
Use the oven…
Have a curfew.
Every effort you put into raising your child is coming full circle now.
You are privy to a glimpse into the man or woman they will eventually become. And, hopefully, you are proud.
That being said, their chores should reflect their unique personality and abilities… now more than ever.
Unload some of your daily chore burdens on them… without weighing them down too much or dismissing their extracurriculars and other obligations.
Keep your eye on the prize… molding responsible, well-rounded human beings.
Do that, and the chore chart will compliment everyone.
Some popular high school chore ideas include:
- Doing the laundry
- Babysitting/driving siblings
- Yard work
You’ve put in the hours… and earned yourself a little extra help around this house.
You also shouldn’t have to pay for it in the way of a “mother’s helper” or cleaning service when you have perfectly capable teens running amuck.
Want a copy of High School Chore Chart Templates? Click any of the buttons below to download the PDF!
Sweet Reward
So, much like you wouldn’t hire someone to clean your house and not pay them… your kids need to feel that completing their chores will offer them something in return.
The reward, so to speak, should vary by age… much like the chore chart itself.
A toddler, for instance, may enjoy an ice cream cone… or a new doll… for a job well done.
Whereas a child age 4 or 5 may much rather stay up 20 minutes late… or earn themselves an extra hour of television time.
The elementary student likely wants something a little more…
Maybe it’s to see the new Lego movie with a friend in theaters.
Or go out to lunch on a Saturday with just you at their chosen restaurant.
The value a child this age places on alone time with a parent, especially if they have siblings, is more than you think.
Trust me.
Spending time with you may not be top on your 10-—to 15-year-old’s wish list these days.
Don’t worry. This, too, shall pass.
Try to be brave and give them what they want… a new outfit, a video game, a trip to the water park with two friends.
The reward here may take a little more, which is ok.
A good idea.
Make them accountable.
They must put in the hard work for the reward… otherwise, they may always expect things to be handed to them.
And that would not end well for either of you.
But don’t fret.
By the time your son or daughter is 16, they’ve likely come back around.
Sometimes, they may even view you as a friend and confident now.
They value the sacrifices you’ve made for them… your advice…. your opinion.
Helping is the least they can do.
Still, it should be acknowledged.
Popular rewards for teenagers may include:
- new hockey gear
- borrowing the family car for a night
- concert tickets
The chore chart at this age is more about keeping them organized than accountable.
Make it simple, but perhaps let them write in their incentives.
They will be inclined to work harder if it’s for something they truly want.
The Printable Chore Chart
These are intentionally left blank so that you both can check in and re-prioritize each week.
For instance, if you see that your child is having trouble completing one or more of the items, maybe you need to change them up a bit.
Or even eliminate one or two.
There will be a learning curve… but one you can successfully drive together.
Free Download: Weekly Chore Chart
The Weekly Chore Chart makes it easy to organize household responsibilities and give kids a clear visual reminder of their tasks. Use it to track completed chores, encourage consistency, and help children build responsibility one task at a time.
Download your free chore chart and make your family’s weekly routine a little easier.
(The link opens up a Google Drive folder where you can get the PDF download in a variety of sizes: A4, A5, and US Letter.)
Final Thoughts on the Chore Chart
The chore chart can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.
The key is to select the one that works best for your child and that you will have the most success with.
Chores should not be torture for kids.
It’s just the opposite.
As with volunteering… the goal is for your child to feel good about themselves when the chart is completed.
If you make the chart/reward system an obtainable one… it will work.
And remember: the chore chart can continuously be tweaked.
For instance, try this:
- Make one day “chore-free”
- Don’t have too many time-consuming chores in one day
- Make one or two items “fun chores” (i.e., bake cookies with mom)
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with a little effort, you can create a well-oiled chore machine that works for everyone in the family.
It’s as simple as that.
See more parenting ideas on how to help your kids set and reach their goals in life in these related posts:
Finally, if you want to level up your parenting skills, then check out this resource that will show you how to get your kids to listen WITHOUT yelling, nagging, or losing control.
Nicole Krause has been writing both personally and professionally for over 20 years. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Film Studies. Her work has appeared in some of the country’s top publications, major news outlets, online publications, and blogs. As a happily married (and extremely busy) mother of four… her articles primarily focus on parenting, marriage, family, finance, organization, and product reviews.
