Free Printable Chore Charts

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If you're needing a more organized system for dividing household duties and getting kids to do their chores, you've come to the right place. This simple chore chart is effective, easy to use, and well, cute. There are eight different designs available below...all for free! Download your favorite and get going on a great system.

I actually have quite a number of free printable chore charts here on I Should Be Mopping the Floor. But this one is the absolute original. It has the classic design that I've used over and over and always returned to. Why? Because it works. And the reason it works so well for so many families is because of how simple it is. It's a no fuss chore chart...ready for your kids to dive in and get going. These make for a fabulous visual reminder to, well, WORK!

Free Printable Chore Chart

As a mom and chief household task master, I just love a good chore chart. Over the years, we just keep coming back to this one...it's so easy and works wonderfully. Since its original publication date in 2014, I've heard from many of you who enjoy this set of chore charts, too. I've appreciated all of the feedback on it and I'm super happy to still have it available for instant download.

It's available below in eight designs. All are letter-sized PDF formats for simple, at-home printing.

How to Use this Chore Chart:

I prefer to laminate my chore chart and magnet it to the refrigerator to use with dry erase markers. The following is how I implement this system.

Supplies

• chore chart printable (download links available below)
• self laminating pouches (no machine needed!)
• adhesive circle magnets
• dry erase markers with magnets

Directions

• Print your chart onto regular letter-sized paper if laminating (if you're not laminating, but framing to use with dry erase under glass, use white, letter-sized cardstock)
• laminate with your self-laminating pouches, following directions on package
• adhere circle magnets to back of chore chart
• attach to refrigerator
• use with dry erase markers (I like to use the markers with magnets so they can stick to the refriderator, too)
• Again, you can also frame your chart in an 8x10" frame and use the glass of the frame for dry erase markers. I find the frame a bit cumbersome to use with younger kids, though, and prefer to magnet our charts to the refrigerator door.

Filling in the Chore Chart

• Each of these chore charts has a space for its owner's name in the top middle of the chart (in the fun little frame). Have your child write in their name in this spot.
• Fill in weekly tasks (when just starting out, 3-5 items is more than enough to keep up with)
• Use checks or X marks in the boxes for each day the chore is completed.
• A reward system is up to your family. We liked to reward a small sticker for each X. Or, as kids get older, so many check marks equal one dollar. This is open-ended, but that's what makes it very easy. And honestly, checking off chores in and of itself is very satisfying to all kids (and adults...I'm a list checker).
• Chores can change weekly or monthly to keep things interesting.

Age-Specific Chores for Kids

The ideas listed out 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). Use your judgment as to whether these tasks will work for your own kids. I grouped these in categories for age-appropriate jobs. If you'd like even MORE ideas for kids' chores, be sure to check out my 101 Age Appropriate Chores for Kids. There is a printable list included.

• Ages 3-4:

• Helping make beds (learning to pull bedding up, etc.)
• Picking up and sorting toys
• Light dusting on non-breakables (we always implemented these dusting gloves to make this chore fun)
• Sorting laundry by colors (with assistance)
• Bringing laundry to laundry room or area
• Taking laundry back to personal spaces and putting it away with assistance (to me this always reiterates the "putting things away" idea)

• Ages 5-6:

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

• Ages 7-8:

• 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:

• Washing/drying dishes by hand or loading dishwasher
• Helping with meal preparation
• Learning to clean bathroom (with kid-safe cleaners)
• Taking trash out to curb for pick up (and putting garbage bin away after pick up)

• Ages 12 and up:

• At this point, kids of these ages may be able to take on more adult-like chores (cleaning, laundry, cooking, and even lawn mowing).

Again, these ideas are just the things that have worked  for our own family. It's always a good idea to experiment with things that will work well with your own household. In our family, 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). 

Colors and Designs Available

I have named the designs the following (the order is featured in the above image from top left to the bottom right):

• Navy and Green Honeycomb
• Yellow Quatrefoil
• Blue Camouflage
• Green and Pink Zebra
• Pastel Chevron
• Red and Blue Dottie
• Fun Vertical Dots
• Fun Horizontal Stripes

Download Your Chore Chart:

• Navy and Green Honeycomb
• Fun Vertical Dots
• Fun Horizontal Stripes
• Blue Camouflage
• Yellow Quatrefoil
• Red and Blue Dottie
• Green and Pink Zebra
• Pastel Chevron
• These downloads are also available here on Dropbox.
• These downloads are also available here on Google Drive.

Looking for More Printable Chore Charts?

• I have another set of Free Printable Chore Charts that are quite popular, too. The design for these is the same concept, just different patterns and such (why mess with a good thing, right?).
• And these newer, floral and polka dotted versions of Free Printable Chore Charts are stylish and fun!
• If you'd prefer an even more open-ended system, be sure to check out my DIY Chore Boards for kids. They have free printables included, too and are a great DIY chore chart idea.
• Over on Etsy, Little Smarty Ants has a lovely set of Printable Responsibility Charts, which include reward coupons.
• Also on Etsy, these Printable Family Chore Charts, from Mindyana Jones Designs, are really thorough and great for the entire household.
• These printable Reward Charts from my friend, Diana, at The Girl Creative are really fantastic.
• And these chore charts over at Passion For Savings are another nice option.
• These goal-oriented chore charts from Abby Lawson have a simple, but effective design.