DIY Chore Boards for Kids | i should be mopping the floor
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DIY Chore Boards for Kids

This post for a DIY Chore Board contains affiliate links. I make a small percentage when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

A simple chore board system is one of the easiest ways to get kids helping out with household tasks. The one I'm sharing today is easy to put together and simple to implement into your family's routines. It's a great way to teach life skills to young kids. See how to create these DIY Chore Boards below.

Chore Board
While I tend to lean into the summer season for getting organized with the kids' daily chores, I am truly happier when we have a working system in place all year round. And this simple little chore board is absolutely perfect for that. It's a system that is not only easy to put together, but simple for even the youngest family members to use. See how to make these chore boards below.


DIY Chore Board


DIY Chore Boards
The beauty of this system is the choices and options it gives kids. Do some less-enjoyable chores go undone? Sure. But, it still works well overall. And I originally created this system in 2014. Since then we've had a bit of inflation and chores are *probably* worth a bit more than a quarter these days. So, I've updated this post to include a blank sheet of printable cards that you can fill in with your own ideas and prices. Or, feel free to go with a reward system that is better motivation for your own kids (stickers, small toys, etc.).

I've also included a handy list of age-appropriate chores, too.


How to Make this Chore Board

DIY Chore Board

Supplies


How to Make a Chore Board

Directions

  • Start by painting your board. This can be simple or a bit more involved. Below is the layered finish I used:
    • I painted chalk paint as my "base coat".
    • After the chalk paint completely dried, I used a wax puck along the edges of the board. I can't seem to find the wax pucks anymore, but a wax taper candle works similarly.
    • Then I painted acrylic paint as the top coat. I used a contrasting color to the bottom coat.
    • After the top coat had completely dried, I gently sanded the edges (where I had rubbed that wax puck) to remove a bit of paint, for a slightly worn look. 
  • I used my Silhouette to cut vinyl lettering and placed it on my board. 
  • Then I hot glued my clothespins onto the board.
  • You can print your chores onto the cardstock for durability.
Be sure to keep your boards in a well-trafficked spot in your home (ours are in the kitchen). They serve as visual reminders of tasks that need completing (or rewards waiting to be earned!).

Easy Chore System

How to Use this Chore Board

  • I think the reason this particular chore board works so well is because it gives children some choices, as well as variety, when it comes to selecting their tasks for the day.
  • We implemented ours into our daily routines, checking chores after each meal of the day.
  • We use ours with the cards provided below, but feel free to just write tasks and their worth onto index cards or similar.
  • Keep all of the available chore options on the "to do" side of the board.
  • Kids can select their task from the stack of chores.
  • After they complete the task, they move the card to the other "done" side of the board.
  • On a weekly (or whatever time period works best for your family) basis, we remove the "done" cards and add up what each child has earned.
  • Then we have our payday.
  • After that, all tasks are moved back to the "to do" side to start a new week.


Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids

Kids Sorting Laundry

No matter how young, it's great to get all family members involved in household chores. The ideas I've shared below are merely suggestions and ideas that have worked for our own family (and my kids are teenagers now, so I write these knowing what worked and what didn't). These are a great way to give children responsibility and ownership for helping run a household. Use your judgment as to whether these tasks will work for your own kids. I grouped chore assignments in categories for age-appropriate jobs. If you'd like even MORE ideas, I have a really thorough list of 101 Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids.


  • Toddlers:
    • Picking up and sorting toys
    • Sorting laundry by colors (with assistance; we always used this as a color-learning opportunity)
    • Wiping kitchen table with cloth and water after meals
    • Dusting baseboards
    • Helping to move laundry from the washer to dryer (if able to, especially with front loading systems)
  • Ages 3-4:

    • All of the above items, plus:
      • Helping make bed (learning to pull covers up, etc.)
      • Light dusting on non-breakable items (we always implemented these dusting gloves to make this chore fun)
      • Bringing laundry to laundry room or area
      • Taking laundry back to personal spaces and putting it away with some assistance (to me this always reiterates the "putting things away" idea)

  • Ages 5-6:

    • All of the above tasks, plus:
      • Sock matching while folding laundry + simple laundry folding
      • Setting table: be sure to use my free printable table setting teaching placemats here to help with this task.
      • Helping clear table after meals and projects
      • Putting away groceries
      • Wiping down table with sponge and water
      • Feeding pets
      • Watering plants
      • Sweeping floors; my kids used one of those lightweight battery-vacuums in our hard-floor areas at this age
      • Clean room

  • Ages 7-8:

    • All of the above chores, plus: 
      • Mop (we use this "less splashy" mop so it's an easier job)
      • Vacuum House
      • Vacuum Automobiles
      • Fold laundry (especially towels and washcloths)
      • Emptying dishwasher (we started with just the utensil basket and eventually graduated to just the bottom rack, then finally making the chore the entire dishwasher, after mom was confident items wouldn't be broken easily)
      • Emptying household waste baskets
      • Putting their own laundry away (especially in drawers)

  • Ages 9-11:

    • All of the above tasks, plus:
      • Washing and drying dishes by hand
      • loading dishwasher
      • Helping with meal preparation
      • Clean bathroom (with kid-safe cleaners)
      • Taking garbage can out to curb for pick up (and putting trash bin away after pick up)

  • Ages 12 and up:

    • At this point, kids of these ages, (as well as teens) may be able to take on more adult-like chores (deep-cleaning, start-to-finish-laundry, cooking, and even lawn mowing/weed-eating).
Again, the above tasks are just the things that have worked for in our own family. It's always a good idea to experiment with things that will work well with your own household. In our household, some chores are better suited for one kid while others work better for the other kid. And, well, some that I just tend to do myself (I know, I know, I really need to be better on this one). 


Download the free Chore Cards

I've included both blank cards (with the cute doodle frames) and the chore cards you see used throughout this post.
Chore Chart Printables

Kids Emptying Dishwasher

More Chore Systems for Kids









18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. So cute!! My oldest is also motivated by money. ;)

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    1. Thank you! Money sure does speak to the kiddos, doesn't it? Lol!

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  3. I am still able to get away with incentive tickets.....I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible since I don't carry cash lolol

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    1. Lol! I don't blame you one bit! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  4. I love this. I've tried figuring dollar amounts on the fly and sometimes give too much for a less difficult job. This way every task is priced the same. Less confusion is key. I may try this on the refrigerator with magnet clothes pins since I'm not as crafty as you :-)

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    1. You are so right! Keeping it simple = success! I hope it works well for you!

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  5. So cute and looks like a great way to get the kiddos helping.

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  6. Cute idea! I need a child to help me load the dishwasher because I am HORRIBLE at it!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! Don't we all?! I may or may not have YouTube'd "how to properly load a dishwasher" Lol! ;)

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  7. This is such a great idea! I can't wait till my kiddo is big enough to do some chores! Thanks for the coupon and the great printable!

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    1. Thank you! You are very welcome, Jenna! It's a great way to give them freedom with their responsibilities!

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  8. I absolutely need this! Thanks for the coupon!

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    1. You're welcome, Vanessa! Thank you so much for stopping by!

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