Kids Choice Chore System
This Kids Choice Chore System works by allowing kids to pick the chores they want to complete. You can use this system for daily chores as well as extra chores that are above and beyond.
My house is a lot of work. You all know what that’s like I’m sure. Between the kids, the cat, and the dog my house rapidly turns into a mess. I clean something, and 5 minutes later it’s a mess again. I go from room to room to room to room and back to the first room to discover it’s in disarray. Again. It’s hard to keep up. And I’m always the only one who seems to see the mess. Yet it’s always there, and very rarely is it my mess. It’s time for a change.
My older 2 kids are old enough to contribute the the running of our household! And certainly more than capable. I believe in age-appropriate chores. And I’m not just talking about things like clean your room and brush your teeth. Because they are now almost 10 and 8, I’m a believer that tasks like those are must-do’s and not ones that need rewarding. In real life, there are chores that just have to get done. Brush your teeth. Wash your hands. Clean your room. Feed the cat. All required tasks. But there are so many other tasks that need done around the house, and it’s time the kids pitch in.
A system that’s easy to keep and maintain.
I scoured for different system ideas that the kids and the hubby and I could maintain. I’ve tried the old chart and sticker system, but it always fell to the wayside. This time I was determined to find something that would work for us. So I put together a kids choice financial reward system.
The intent for this system, is for the kids to be able to earn some money, by choosing how they do it. We don’t buy a lot of extra toys and stuff for the kids outside of holidays and birthdays, but they are always wanting lego, and pet shops and barbies etc. Now with this chore chart system the kids have the opportunity to make and save their own money.
How to create a chore chart system (costs less than $10):
- 2 packages of large metal rim tags found in the office supplies section.
- a magnet roll with a sticker backing, so that I could just attach the size of magnet that I wanted to the back of the tag.
- I wrote each chore on a tag, and assigned a dollar amount.
How this chore system works:
- You give them chore options. They pick the chores they want to complete. You could use this system for the EXTRA chores, not the day to day stuff they should do anyway.
- Make the system visible and accessible! Ours is on the front of the fridge at their eye level.
- The kids can pick and choose the chores they want to do. (And they can’t each do the same chore, so they have to negotiate with each other if there is conflict. Or it’s first come, first serve.)
- Once they have completed their chore (after approval from Mom or Dad), they hang their completed chore tag on their assigned hook.
- Friday is payday. On this day we add up what they have accomplished during the past week, and give them their money!
Chore Chart Tips!
- There are some chores that don’t need done everyday or even weekly, so I just put those tags off to the side, and put them back on the fridge when I need them done.
I just put all the tags onto a pretty piece of scrapbook paper on the fridge. The paper keeps all the tags contained. And it’s looks nice too!
Chore Ideas for Kids:
- Brush the cat.
- Clean baseboards on the main floor.
- Vacuum the basement.
- Sweep after dinner.
- Change your bed sheets.
- Dust stair railings.
- Vacuum the stairs.
- Clean your bathroom tap, sink and mirror.
- Empty dishwasher.
- Parent’s choice, for those other tasks that come up from time to time.
- The possibilities are endless!!
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Honestly, the kids are so excited about this system! I can’t even tell you how much! My hubby & I exchanged several surprised looks over the weekend. We couldn’t believe how much was getting done around here. Our house feels and looks cleaner. And the best part….my daughter said “Mom, look how much I got done! I feel so good about myself!” AWESOME!
So I’m happy. The kids are happy and feel good. The house is clean. Win-win-win!
Have an inspired day!
I just found the Martha Stewart items at Staples and was attracted to those tags right away!! Such a great idea! My boys are 4 and 2, but I would love to start some sort of system with them to get them in a daily routine of brushing their teeth, cleaning up toys, etc. 🙂
When my boys were young, I used to have a chart of chores/rewards on the fridge. Not to fret, nobody notices the trail of mess they leave behind but us ! Unpleasant, frustrating, but normal *sigh*
Seems we come up with a new system and the kids are psyched and then they drop away and my enforcement falls by the wayside until the next great idea we come up with. Maybe that’s the ticket- new charts/chores/rewards every so often to keep their interest.
I’ve been looking for some sort of chore system for my kids, since my house always ends up looking like a big mess too. I might have to try your idea and see how it works. Do you have it set up so that the kids get paid for everything or are there some things that they have to do as part of their own personal responsibilities, like making their bed, brushing their teeth, and keeping their room clean? I feel like they should do some things without getting paid…that’s how my life is 🙂
I do both. I have a regular chore chart with 7 items per day. If they do it without being reminded I will mark an x. If it gets done late or with me bugging them, it’s just a /. In total that’s 98 points (7 chores x 7 days x 2 points for being on time). At the end of the week we tally the points and they can trade them in for a family treat (swimming, ice-cream evening, dinner of their choice, popcorn and a movie) by the amount of points they accrue …usually it takes a few weeks to earn one. Or, they can trade 100 points in for $5.00. Then, extra chores can add to that. When they have a purchase goal in mind, they can work diligently. I weigh this against what it would cost me to buy them all the things they want and the outings they want. It balances out.
Very good ideas! I especially love rewarding them for doing a chore without reminding them…I just may have to incorporate this into our system! Thanks for the tip!
Cool ideas
This is a fantastic idea. Love it!
This is such a great idea! I found you through the blog hop. Glad I did.
What a fantastic idea – I can’t wait to hear how it goes! I also can’t wait till my kiddos are 8 & 10 so they can get in on the chores!! 🙂
I’m in the same mommy boat…the house that instantly destroys itself the moment it is clean. Kids that walk and drop things randomly in their path. I definitely need to find more things for them to help with around the house, and this is a great system.
LOVE THIS! And I am a big fan of Martha at Staples. Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a GREAT system!