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 very easy to put together and even simpler to implement into your family's routines. See how to create these DIY Chore Boards below.

While I tend to lean into the summer season for getting organized for the kids' chores, I am truly happier when we have a working system in place all year round. And this simply little chore board system is absolutely perfect for that. See how to make these chore boards below.

DIY Chore Board

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.

How to Make this Chore Board

Supplies

small board (I used this 9x12" raw wood plaque from Amazon here for ours)
clothes pins (I grabbed stained clothes pins on Amazon here)
paint/brushes for your board (I share my simple technique below for a weathered, layered paint finish)
hot glue/hot glue gun
white cardstock for printing your chores
picture hanging hardware (I keep this kit on hand for these types of projects)

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.

You can also purchase vinyl letter stickers here on Amazon, if you don't have a vinyl cutting machine.

Then I hot glued my clothespins onto the board.
You can print your chores onto the cardstock for durability.

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 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.

Download the free Chore Cards

More Chore Systems for Kids

My free printable chore charts (in eight colorful designs) are always popular with parents (and kids!). They're simple to use and implement.
And this other set of free printable chore charts is also a good one. It's another easy-to-use system for families.
This Chore Sticks System from Living Well Mom utilizes popsicle sticks for a choice of tasks.
Over at Somewhat Simple, Stephanie shares a DIY Magnetic Chore Chart that is colorful and fun.
And this Rotating Chore Chart from Tips from a Typical Mom Blog gets the entire family involved.