Chore Charts

We know summertime is often one of the busiest for families. With activities like summer camp, sports practice/games and parties, it’s hard to find time to fit everything in. The last thing anyone wants to think about cleaning around the house. The silver lining? With the kids at home, you also get a few little helpers. It’s a great way to teach responsibility while easing the burden on everyone. We believe the classic chore chart is a great way to get started. 
 
The simple grid approach is an easy way to get started. Begin with a large piece of paper, poster or dry-erase board. List the activities for your child to complete on the left side. Along the top, list the days of the week. Draw horizontal lines across the paper between each of the tasks, and verticle lines up and down the paper between each day of the week. This creates a space for stickers or other check marks to be added once the activity is completed.
 
Hanging the cart prominently in the house will keep it top-of-mind throughout the week while letting your kids show off the stars, stickers or check marks they’ve accumulated. This type of chart works great for younger children who will love the visual elements of seeing their success displayed.
 
Creating the chart itself can be a fun indoor arts and craft project. Let your young one personalize it. If you’re using stickers to mark progress, let your children choose a set they are excited about.
 
In addition to adding stickers to the chart, some parents choose to give their children rewards or special outings for completing a certain number of tasks. This gives them a larger prize to work toward and acts as a way to keep them engaged and motivated over time. A few suggestions we’ve heard from parents:

1. A family trip to get ice cream or another treat
2. Additional TV, computer or video game time
3. A new book
4. A small toy

It’s important to be realistic when adding chores to the chart. Make sure the chores are age-appropriate so that you’re setting your child up for success. We’ve come up with this list of age-appropriate chores for kids:
 
Ages 2-3:

1. Pick up toys
2. Help make the bed
3. Bring laundry to laundry room

 Ages 4-5:

1. Help set the dinner table and clear it after dinner
2. Help dust, particularly low, hard-to-reach places
3. Help put away groceries

 
Ages 6-8:

1. Take out trash
2. Fold laundry and put it away
3. Take care of pets (feed, let outside, etc.)

 
Ages 9-12:

1. Clean their own room and messes
2. Rake leaves and other yardwork
3. Wash and put away dishes

 
Ages 13-18:

1. Vacuum/cleaning floors
2. Mow the lawn and other yardwork
3. Clean bathrooms