How to Make a Chore Chart

Chore charts can be rewarding for both the parents and the children. They're a great way to get kids excited about helping out and they're easy to make. Make your own by following the directions below.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Velcro
• Scissors
• Computer
• Laminate
• Printer
• Paper

1. Decide on the chores that are age appropriate for your child. Toddlers are capable of feeding the pet while older children are capable of taking out the trash, making their own beds and other more difficult tasks.
2. Using a spreadsheet program on your computer, make a grid with eight columns. Add enough rows for each chore, plus a few extra.
3. Put your child's name at the top of the chart. Leave the first column blank. Label the other columns with the days of the week starting with Sunday. Leave the rows blank.
4. Print out the chart.
5. In a word processor, type the chores. Use simple words like: "make bed" and "kitchen trash." Use a small font so that the words, when cut out, will fit in the boxes on the chart. Print and cut the words out.
6. Take the chart and the words to a copy center to have them laminated. Cut around each piece after it's been laminated.
7. Apply a rough piece of sticky Velcro to the back of each chore. Apply a soft piece of sticky Velcro to each box on the chart.
8. Place the words on the far column of the chart. Each day, after your child has done the chores, they move the pieces for each chore into the column for that day of the week.

Tips & Warnings

• Start with a few chores and gradually increase. Starting with too many will be very overwhelming and may backfire.
• Place the chore chart at your child's eye level in a place where they will see it frequently.
• Use colorful paper and clip art to make it more fun.
• Reward your child at the end of the week for each chore done.