DIY Chore Chart System for Kids!
by
Dysko7710
3 Materials
$15
2 Hours
Easy
Summer is here, and after a busy school year of me working a lot more than I had anticipated, the house was a disaster. I needed a hands on, full proof, chore system that would get us all working together to get the house in order and keep it in order (because I now took on a full time job). Two working parents and 3 kids means we need an organized and efficient way to keep the house from drowning in mess and clutter. Honestly, I am really proud of this, and we have been now using it for over a month and it has worked beautifully! Here is a pic of the final product:
I started out by finding something around the house I could use as my backing. It had to be sturdy since I would be hanging pockets on it and we'd be interacting with it. A thick poster board would work, but I had an old picture that was on large thick sturdy cardboard that I used.
I also happened to have lots of colorful cardstock on hand from teaching some art classes at my children's school. You can buy this on Amazon, or in Staples or even Walmart. I went on my computer and designed 'chore cards'. These would fit about six to one page of cardstock so that they are smaller and can be placed in and out of the pockets. On each card I list the chore and a detailed list of what it means to complete that chore correctly.
I designed name cards for each child to go on their individual chore pocket. I also came up with a consequence system. Basically, if the chore is not done correctly, they whine about the chores, or they leave unnecessary dishes or clutter lying around, they earn a red card that causes them to lose electronics for one hour per card.
After getting everything made, printed and cut out, it was time to make the pockets. To do this I cut down the card stock a little bit, put glue stick glue along the two outer sides of it and folded it in half to create a pocket for each child, a pocket to store the chore cards and a pocket to hold the red cards (the red cards are just a piece of red cardstock cut into strips):
I glued all of the pockets to my board with a glue stick, glued on the names and the consequence instructions. Then I placed the chore cards and red cards in their pockets. Voila! Every night, I place chore cards in each kids name pocket for the following day. They are to read one hour every day, and other chores are placed in as needed. They have to get chores done before lunch time and reading done before dinner. I put the chore chart up on the wall in my walk in pantry so it is easily accessible but out of view. I hung it on the wall with command strips.
This is a dream come true for a type A, OCD parent who needs a streamlined chore system! My kids love it because they know what to do and know what is expected and it is bright and tangible! It really has gotten our house in shape and is keeping it that way!
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4 comments
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Well this is cute!
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Cute and creative!
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Thanks Wendy!
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