Kids' Chore Charts

Making kids’ chore charts can help families take strain out of their daily lives. Not only does it provide some relief for working parents in keeping up the house, but it teaches the children responsibility. In families with multiple children, having a chart can help keep track of individual obligations and eliminate fighting.

Before making up a chore chart for your child(ren), consider what you are asking them to do. Most toddlers and 3-4 year olds would not understand such a chart. For them, it is best to simply remind them to help out when they are needed.

However, older children, even if they cannot read, can use a chart. Pictures can be used next to chores so that the child understands what is being asked of him/her. Some chores for kids aged 4-10 years old include:

• Picking up toys
• Setting the table
• Making, or attempting to make, their beds
• Feeding pets
• Helping with other chores as Mom and Dad ask

Of course, younger children will need more guidance and help in doing their chores. It is important that they understand their responsibility when it comes to helping around the house. Once kids are older, however, they can do significantly more, depending on their maturity level. Those from ages 10 and up, for example, can often do the following:

• Take care of dishes following meals
• Take trash out
• Feed, water, and exercise any family pets
• Vacuum a particular room
• Dust a room
• Clean up the bathroom
• Do own laundry/family laundry
• Watch younger siblings

Visualization is key when it comes to making children's chore charts. Instead of just writing down names and tasks, making a table can help kids better understand what is expected of them.

Write down their names either horizontally or vertically. Then list household tasks perpendicularly. Extend the chart as wide or high as it needs to be. To make things easier for families with multiple children, consider assigning each child a color. Write his/her name in that color, and his/her chores in the same color. Using a dry-erase board can help with chores that rotate, such as vacuuming or dishes.

Decide who gets to mark off finished tasks. With younger children, it is probably best if one or both parents decide when the job is finished. For older kids who have proven themselves to be trustworthy, it can be left up to them to mark off finished chores.

Chore charts are usually created for tasks considered to be part of the kids' regular household responsibilities. Because these things need to be done at least weekly, it is best to have consequences in place should chores not be finished.

For older children, keep in mind that with a busier schedule (sports, extra-curricular activities, and part time jobs), one or two things may not get done a month. But children who consistently do not follow through with their chores should understand that there are consequences. These can range from losing television privileges to missing a night out with friends. Parents can also have a "scale" of consequences, depending on how many chores were not completed. Keeping a posted list of consequences will remind children of their commitment.

Praising kids for a job well done makes them want to continue to please their parents. If parents notice that a child keeps up with his/her chores, or does an exceptional job, or helps siblings with chores, the parent should praise the child. While praise can be a reward unto itself, sometimes more concrete rewards are useful as well. Taking a child out to a favorite restaurant, or letting an older child negotiate a slightly later curfew for exceptional jobs well done are two possible rewards.

Another rewards system many parents use is to add optional chores at the bottom of the kids’ chore charts. These chores can be done by children only if they choose to do so. By doing a certain number of optional chores, children could then earn privileges or rewards, like extra video game time or a new t-shirt.

LoveToKnow Kids now offers free, printable chore charts for your use:

• Blank princess chore chart
• Blank princess chart 2
• Family chore list
• Basic blank chore chart
• Blank cat chart
• Dog chore chart
• Rainbow horse chart
• Baseball chart
• Cowboy dog chore chart

Keeping kids’ chore charts may at first be a struggle as children get used to their new expectations in the family. However, it can help teach responsibility and help out a busy family with daily routines. Discussing expectations for completing chores, consequences and potential rewards can help make the transition to charting easier.

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