We’ve been using this particular chore system for several years and it works great for us. I love that it easily grows with our family and the kids’ increasing responsibility and ability levels.
Our system consists of a chore chart and chore cards. The chore chart is simply a poster board with two library card pockets for each child: a “to-do” and a “done.” It looks like this (yes, the colorful artwork was professionally done by me {ahem}):
The chore cards are 3X5 cards with a picture of the chore on the front for my non-readers and the chore written out on the back:
I got most of the pictures from Barry’s Clip Art. (Note: Barry’s Clip Art appears to now be a subscription site, so you may have to search elsewhere for free clip art.)
After pasting the pictures on the cards and writing the chores out on the back, I laminated the cards with 3-M laminating pages. This was a recent update from the previous method of contact paper “laminating.” The 3-M pages are quite a bit more expensive than contact paper, but they make the cards MUCH sturdier. And, I have to confess, it’s more aesthetically pleasing – not one of my more frugal moments, but well worth it, in my opinion.
What I love best about our chore system is that it’s so flexible. Not every chore needs to be done every day, so there’s no chart with a big empty square for that day. I just place the cards in the slots for the chore that need to be completed that particular day. This also makes it very easy to rotate chores among the kids.
Have you found a chore system that works well for your family?
Donna(mom24boyz) says
February 19, 2008 at 11:11 pmOh it looks great! I like the pocket idea–once my kids are done with their chore packs we have had the dilemma of not knowing what to do with them–this would work great–right now their last chore on them says “place chore pack on counter” this is a message to me that they are done and I can check their work–but the packet would work much better!!
Thanks for showing us! Thanks for joining in!
Dolphin Valley Academy says
February 20, 2008 at 5:25 amWe do this, too! I also like that we can rotate the chores between the kids very easily, and that they are good visual cues for the non-readers. I think I may have gotten this idea from you a long while back on the homeschool board? At any rate, it works swell for us – however, yours is much more aesthetically pleasing than ours! ;P
Pixilated Mum says
February 20, 2008 at 6:18 pmYour chart looks pretty! Our chart doesn’t … which is probably why it looks abandoned and is abandoned …
We go through charts like crazy … but I love this one. The pocket idea is rad.
Alisha says
February 20, 2008 at 6:39 pmStill love this idea! One of these days I’m going to get on the ball and make one for my kiddos. I’ve been saying that for months though! I’ll let you know when I finally get it done! (don’t hold your breath though!:-) lol!
G says
February 22, 2008 at 6:24 pmI am so stealing this idea!
Amanda says
February 27, 2008 at 4:40 amI have been racking my brain for a good idea for my 6 year old son and this is it!!! Thank you sooooooo much for posting this. I’m going to buy the supplies to make this tomorrow. Since it’s only my son I’m going to have it set up just like yours, but the top will be morning, the middle will be after school & the bottom will be before bed. Thank you once again.
Courtney says
February 18, 2009 at 4:07 pmThis is AWESOME!!!
We have been needing one!
Thank you for sharing
Missy says
September 16, 2009 at 6:32 amI am loving this idea. I've been trying to think up a chore chart idea for our house and I haven't found one that I "love."
I may just have found it.
Thanks!
Debbie says
February 16, 2010 at 12:01 amI've been looking for a good chore chart for my son and this looks great! Thank you!!
Rana says
August 5, 2010 at 3:41 pmI love this idea. I have been working on our chore chart for the past couple of weeks trying to figure out how to put this together. This was so helpful. Thank you!
Saint John - Mike says
March 7, 2011 at 2:45 amI love this idea! Our kids are not bad at doing chores, but they're not exactly "self-starters" so this is a great idea for giving them a central location where they can always go to see what they can help with. Kudos!
Melissa says
June 22, 2011 at 12:38 pmWhere do you get the library card pockets? I really need a system like this, but have no idea where to get the materials!
Melissa
http://www.irienarrowpath.blogspot.com
Kris says
June 22, 2011 at 2:05 pmDisqus generic email templateI got them at a local school supply store, but I'm pretty sure I've seen them on Amazon. Just search "library card pockets."
simply heidi says
August 11, 2011 at 2:28 amI love this! I am doing a series about kids and chores. This Friday is a link-up; I'd love if you dropped by and shared. Or, if not, can I link to your chart?
Kris says
August 11, 2011 at 11:36 amSure, I'd love it if you linked to the chart…and I'll try to remember to stop by myself.
Tara says
August 23, 2011 at 3:40 pmHi! I found your blog by typing in "how to make a salt dough map". LOL. We made one YEARS ago and I couldn't remember if we baked it or not. Thank you for the instructions and the idea of tracing the map onto the cardboard!!! That's MUCH better than guessing!
Kris says
August 23, 2011 at 6:00 pmI hope you have fun with your salt dough map. Tracing works much better than free-handing for us. :)
Kayla Arrowood says
August 26, 2011 at 1:51 amIm glad I stumbled across this!! Gonna have to do something similar! Kris your awesome!
Angel says
November 4, 2011 at 7:06 pmI did mine with Legal size envelope, seal it and then cut in half and now you have 2 pockets
Jack Hodges says
January 4, 2012 at 1:39 pmThis is a great idea Kris. The way I've seen it done is slightly different in that a star or something similar is added to the card when done, but this looks even better.
Mandeblu says
January 6, 2012 at 8:58 amI've struggled with the Chores issue for a while, I have a 6 & 10 year old and they NEED to do some sort of chores. I am going to give this a try.
Kris says
January 6, 2012 at 3:28 pmThis is one of the few things that we have stuck with for YEARS. Even with a 16, 12, and 10 year old, it still works well for us. Hope you enjoy.
Amhenninger says
April 20, 2012 at 8:39 pmDo you think this would also work for us lotsa moms? I've got tem children at the moment.
Thanks!
Kris says
April 20, 2012 at 9:17 pmI imagine it would work for any number of kid. It's pretty versatile.
Elcee says
May 6, 2012 at 5:37 amWhat a great idea! The idea of pockets containing only what need to be done fits perfectly with the way my kids conceptualize things. I love this! Thanks for the post
Kim says
July 29, 2012 at 11:07 amWe are new to homeschooling! I’m surfing the web looking for ideas to make my life a little easier this year and this idea is perfect! I love, love, love it! Thank you for sharing :)