How to Create a Family Chore Chart: A Quick Way to Keep Things Organized and Enjoyable!

Let’s face it—cleaning the house is never finished when you have kids. There are toys, dishes, and clothes all over the place overnight.

 Remember this? If you’ve been feeling like no one is lifting your weights, don’t be! The good news is that a family chore chart might be the answer you’re looking for to take the pressure off and get your house in order. 

But where do you even begin? And will the kids *do* their homework? Fear not – it’s really not so hard. Imagine you have everybody else working, and all the housework doesn’t get heaped on you. That sounds like a dream, right?  

Well, it’s not a dream! This tutorial will walk you through making a family chore chart suitable for all kids – toddlers, teenagers, and adults. Are you ready to turn your home into a machine? Let’s dive in!  

  

 Family Chore Chart is a Dealbreaker. A Family Chore Chart Makes All the Difference. 

Okay, so first thing first, why do you even do a chore chart? 

It might be an extra-small detail, but studies show that family chore charts are the lifeblood of success. A report by the *American Psychological Association* finds that when families are well-structured and roles and responsibilities are clear, there’s less stress and conflict. 

The more people know exactly what they’re responsible for, the less you get lost in a knot of misinformation or bitterness. Then, there is the added bonus of kids working on housework, which helps them develop important life skills such as accountability, time management, and cooperation. 

You may be saying, “Oh that sounds awesome but how do I make it work at home?”. Well, let’s break it down.    

 

Step 1: Decide Who’s in the Family. 

You can’t start distributing chores unless you have someone you’re doing it with. Only if everyone is equally old, skill-wise, and busy, you can use a family chore chart. This is not a “one size fits all” scenario – it’s about what fits *your* family dynamic. 

 

  1. Who is involved?

– Are you including toddlers? Older kids? Teens?  Adults?  

– What can every single one of us do (not whining, mind you)? 

Now that you’ve got that figured out, all you have to do is pass the chores to the right people.  

 

 Step 2: Select the Correct Tasks. 

Don’t overcomplicate your chore chart. Be simple; start at the beginning. Here’s a quick list of what should be on a family chore list: 

 

  For Toddlers (ages 2-4)

– Put toys away  

– Feed pets  

– Help set the table  

– Wipe down surfaces with a wet cloth. 

 

  For Kids (ages 5-9)  

– Make their bed  

– Wash the dirty laundry in the laundry basket. 

– Dust furniture  

– Do dishes (wash, wash in the dishwasher) 

 

For Tweens/Teens (ages 10-17)

– Vacuum and sweep  

– Take out the trash  

– Fold laundry  

– Clean bathrooms  

  Mow the lawn (supervised, of course) 

 

 For Adults:  

– Meal prep  

– Grocery shopping  

– Grubby cleaning (such as cleaning the oven or washing windows) 

– Managing the family calendar  

The point is to get started and don’t overdo it. For a toddler, just getting his or her own toys away is major news and will make him feel involved. For older kids, be age-appropriate and challenging enough to encourage achievement.   

 

 Step 3: Have A Good Time and Create Images. 

Nobody wants to work on a tedious chore list. So, let’s make it something everyone in the family can swoon over! 

Purchase colors: Colour-coding activities for each family member can make the chart engaging and give everyone a quick overview of what they’re to be doing. 

Remove text: Smaller kids may be unable to read, so introducing pictures or icons for each chore might help the little ones get a better grip on the task. For instance, a broom to sweep the floor or a basket to put laundry in. 

Draw it up into a game: Try turning it into a game or competition. For example, who can finish the most work first or is the best at what? 

You can get templates for a cute, festive family chore chart online (Pinterest, anyone?). So don’t be shy about getting a little fiddly with it! 

 

 Step 4: Make Specific Expectations and Reward Promises. 

A chore chart is only as good as the expectations are clear. This is where many families fall short: they don’t communicate what’s on the table regarding time, energy, and repercussions. For less drama, have this in mind: 

– Feelings Should Be Do’d (Everyday, Weekly, etc.) 

– What will happen if you don’t do chores (like no screen time or extra chores) 

– What is being rewarded (family activity, special treat, points toward a bigger prize like a new toy or game) 

This is when it can be empowering to sit down together as a family and decide these things. It will allow everybody to feel they have something to contribute and are responsible for the house.   

 

 Step 5: Adjust and Be Consistent. 

While a family chore chart is there to provide order and orderliness, you must also be adaptive. “There is life,, and kids are ill, school is busy, or something just happens. Stress less if the chart doesn’t go according to plan. What’s important is everyone knows their spot and helps out where they can. 

Be consistent in what you do and flexible if something’s not going well. And maybe one chore just isn’t for a young child, or it takes too long or hard for them – don’t worry, just vary and swap around.  

 

 Step 6: Get Everyone in the Family On Board. 

A family chore chart isn’t a list of things to complete but a family team effort. Take time to get everyone together and talk about how it’s going. Celebrate the victories (even the little ones!) and discuss what is better. 

And have some fun – family chore time is family bonding time, too. Play some music or a game or tell a story while you work. The more fun it is, the more everybody will want to stay with the chart. 

 

 Step 7: Track and Adjustments (Adjustment). 

Reminder: track how well the chore chart is working. Consider visiting once a week to check in to see if things are getting done or if anything needs adjustment. Praise successes and adjust as needed. 

We’re OK if it takes a while to get into the groove. As long as everyone is involved and able to share input, your chore chart will only improve. 

 

 Final Thoughts  

Creating a family chore chart may be difficult to do initially, but once you see how effortlessly things go, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t do it sooner. It’s not only about the house – about life lessons, teamwork, and less stress from running the household. 

What are you waiting for? Take a sheet of paper and a pencil and get started on your family’s new favourite routine. If you have the right mindset, a little imagination, and a little old-school cooperation, your family can run the house like a motor.   

 

 So, Want to Make Your Own Family Chore Chart? 

For additional ideas or templates, here is this [real simple guide](https://www.realsimple.com/), which is an awesome one to organize your household chores and more. And they even have printable chore charts, so you can start with them!