What Is a Chore Chart, Who Is It For, and Why It Works (2024)

One thing most people can count on in life is that there’ll always be chores. Having a well-organized chore chart can be a massive help in organization, especially when kids are involved.

But is it just about the organization or are there more benefits to chore charts? And is there a way to make them better, cleaner, and more interactive? If you’ve been wondering about these things, BusyKid is the place to answer them.

What Is a Chore Chart?

Also known as a reward chart, chore calendar, behavior chart, or tasks list, whatever its name, a chore chart represents the same thing. It’s essentially a listing used to organize and keep track of housework.

A chore chart can be physical or virtual (more on that in a sec) and it’s often one of the most common ways to help children know what’s expected of them.

Kids, even as young as 18 months, can complete simple chores or tasks and help around the house.

When it comes to chores and chore charts, parents usually have two approaches: rewards or no rewards. While it’s up to every parent to decide for themselves, there’s research to suggest giving kids allowance for performing tasks can teach financial responsibility.

The Benefits of Doing Chores

Having your children’s help around the house is absolutely invaluable. But in addition to just helping you tick off mundane house tasks from the list, chores for kids have tons of benefits. Here’s what we mean.

Instilling a Work Ethic

Lots of kids only start working when they become teenagers or young adults and feel unprepared. Starting young by doing chores or even working easy jobs can instill in them a work ethic. It’ll also help teach them what’s expected of them in the real world.

What’s more, doing chores will help teach organization to kids, as well as the quality of work. And if they get paid for their work, they can learn how paychecks work and the value of money.

Teaching Time Management

Even though sometimes kids can get incredibly busy, they’re still seldom in charge of their own scheduling. Between their school commitments, extracurriculars, and sports activities, parents almost always run everything.

But with chores, kids will be able to make their own schedules, in the allotted time you’ve given them, of course. You can tell them they have a week to finish their chores or do them by a certain time of day. And if you want to incentivize them to complete their tasks on time, you can offer an allowance or compensation.

Learning the Value of Budgeting

If you’ve decided to pay your kids for the chores they’re doing, you’ll be allowing them to learn about the importance and value of budgeting. It’s a crucial life skill that they will truly need throughout their entire lives, and it might even help them avoid debt down the line.

Not only will chores help teach them about budgeting, but also the value of money and the cost of goods. So when they start entering adulthood, they’ll be well-equipped to overcome budgeting challenges.

Preparing for Adulthood

Another excellent byproduct of doing chores is teaching kids about the workforce and even entrepreneurship. Kids who start doing chores at an early age are able to acquire invaluable skills that they can later translate into their studying and work.

Instead of sitting at home gaming or watching TV for hours, kids might be encouraged to do work and earn an allowance. Nowadays, there are so many jobs for kids out there, and all most of them require is a bit of motivation.

Establishing Accountability

In life, all of us have to meet certain expectations set by our families, communities, or jobs. By having children or teens do chores, they’ll be able to learn about and work on accountability. When they have clear deadlines and objectives to meet, they’ll be able to better manage their workloads and understand responsibility.

The Benefits of a Chore Chart

Now that you know what chores are good for, let’s break down why and how charts work.

Keeps Things Organized

Rather than having to keep a mental list and give your kids verbal instructions every time you need something done, you can have a chore chart. Both physical and virtual charts, like the ones at BusyKid, help keep every task organized and show the proper timelines.

Not only can parents and kids keep track of the types of chores there are, but also what’s been done and what hasn’t.

Teaches Independence

As we mentioned earlier, kids often rely on their parents for scheduling, but a chore chart encourages action. With it, kids can take the initiative on their own, thus building independence. With your permission, children can also add or take away tasks from the list and establish a routine of their own.

Creates a Sense of Family Unity

One of the potentially best benefits of chore charts is that they teach kids about the family unit and working together as a team. Doing the dishes or picking up toys isn’t just for the parents anymore – kids can now participate. With a chore chart, children can see exactly how they’re contributing to their environment and making it better.

Makes Chores Seem More Fun

Let’s be honest – chores aren’t really fun, no matter how old you are. So if there’s something to make the tedious tasks seem more entertaining, like a chore chart, that’s surely a plus. Kids being able to interact with the chart will give them a sense of accomplishment and it will add excitement to the entire process.

Teaches Balance

Another great benefit of using a chore chart is that it’ll teach kids that there needs to be a balance between work and play. While kicking the ball or playing video games with friends is undoubtedly fun, there should also be a counterbalance. It’s a life lesson that your children will carry with them throughout their lives and prepare them better for real-world expectations.

Why You Should Get Rid of Your Paper Chore Chart

In a fast-paced, digital world, parents are ditching paper chore charts and replacing them with virtual ones. And for good reason, too.

Going Paperless

Making chore charts every week for the entire family, really adds up to a lot of paper. Going for a virtual chore chart and going paperless is not only environmentally conscious, but it’s also practical.

Kids Go Crazy for Technology

A digital chart might incentivize your kids to tick more things off their lists. Also, kids these days tend to be very tech-savvy early on in their lives, which is why they might respond better to the virtual world. By using platforms like BusyKid, children will be more organized and have more incentive to complete their tasks.

Saves Time

Making a new chore chart every week, even if you have a finished template, is exhausting and time-consuming. Filling out a chore chart constantly becomes a chore in and of itself, and one that is much better when skipped.

By choosing a virtual chart, you’ll be saving yourself time creating lists, and having to come up with tasks, and rewards.

Allows for Auto-Allowance

Thanks to BusyKid’s unique features and peer-to-peer financing, you no longer have to pay your kids for a job well done at the end of the week. Now, you can let the app do it for you, and allow your kids to start managing their own money. What’s more, if you’re struggling to assign monetary worth to these chores, you can let the BusyKid app do it all for you.

Chore Ideas

Depending on your children’s ages, skill sets, and affinities, there’s so much they can do in and around the house. Here are some ideas.

For Kindergartners

When it comes to younger kids, there’ll be a lot they might not be able to do, like mowing lawns and cooking meals. However, they can still be a great help around the house and do some age-appropriate chores.

For example, when they get up, kids can first make their beds in the morning. They can also help put away toys, pick up socks and clothes from their rooms, and leave them in the laundry. What’s more, children can feed pets, water plants, and pull weeds. For more suggestions, you can check out our list of chores for kindergartners.

For Teens

Teenagers can do pretty much anything the adults can around the house, so the chore options are almost endless. You can have your teens help you with the dishes, cook meals for the family, or do the laundry once a week.

They can also do work around the yard, including mowing lawns, tending to gardens, and watering plants. You can have them take care of pets, do the feeding, cleaning, walking, and so much more.

Why Choose BusyKid

If you want to make your life easier and make chores seem more fun, you need the BusyKid app. We provide a chore chart with suggestions for tasks and allowances based on your children’s ages. Of course, we also allow parents to customize the chart and make it their own.

But BusyKid is much more than just a chore chart. With our app, your kids will have access to real financial lessons and experiences. They can save, invest, and donate with the app. They can even have their own BusyKid Visa Debit Cards that eliminate the need of having on-hand cash.

So download the app now and make chores feel less like a chore!

Scan to Get BusyKid ⬇

What Is a Chore Chart, Who Is It For, and Why It Works (1)
What Is a Chore Chart, Who Is It For, and Why It Works (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of a chore chart? ›

Teaches children independence and accountability: Chore charts can help children take accountability for their chores. Creating a list of your children's daily and weekly chores and prominently displaying it will remind them of their responsibilities and help them prioritize completing them.

How do you make an effective chore chart? ›

Here are some key characteristics that make a chore chart template effective:
  1. Clarity and simplicity: The template should be easy to understand, clearly listing the chore duties and schedule.
  2. Visual appeal: It should be visually appealing, with elements like color-coding and stickers to make it more engaging.
Feb 14, 2024

Are chore charts effective? ›

Experts note that while behavior charts can be very effective for children, they are meant to be short-term tools to help develop good behavior. If you have concerns about your child's behavior, you can always speak to their pediatrician.

What is the meaning of chore list? ›

Chore charts are also called reward charts, behavior charts, chore calendars, chore lists or task lists. A chore chart is a listing used to track and organize the house work. The chart can be physical or virtual and is often a means used by parents to post chores expected of their children.

Why are chores important for adults? ›

Simple tasks such as sweeping, vacuuming, or even organizing a shelf can enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina. Over time, these repetitive actions, especially when done regularly, can improve cardiovascular health, maintain joint mobility, and reduce the risk of certain age-related ailments.

How do you use a chore chart for kids? ›

One way to make a chore chart is to use a whiteboard or chalkboard. Write out the tasks that need to be completed each day, and then have your child check them off as they are completed. You can also use a dry-erase board or create a sticker chart. Another option is to use a printable chore chart.

When should I start chore chart? ›

Ages 4 and 5

If you take some time to teach them new chores one on one, they usually love it. Many kids at this age are ready to do chores without constant supervision. They also love rewards. Try using a daily chore chart with stickers that allows them to build up to bigger rewards.

Where to put a chore chart? ›

Hang this easy DIY chore chart on your child's bedroom door so that as they completes tasks, they can easily keep track of what they have left to do everyday.

How do you manage household chores effectively? ›

10 tips on how to manage all your household chores
  1. Identify daily, weekly, and monthly chores.
  2. Set tasks with GoHenry.
  3. Make chores fun.
  4. Introduce rewards for chores with GoHenry.
  5. Create a chore schedule.
  6. Prioritise tasks.
  7. Involve all of the family in chore discussions.
  8. Set realistic expectations.
Feb 12, 2024

What is the least popular chore? ›

According to the study, cleaning tile and grout is the most hated household chore — and you'll understand why if you've ever done it. Scrubbing tiles in your bathroom is a humbling experience (especially for your knees) but scrubbing anything clean seems to be commonly disliked.

Should 13 year olds do chores? ›

As your child enters their adolescent and teen years, household chores still play an important part in their growth. Chores contribute to the busy household and develop important life skills.

What are the benefits of behavior charts? ›

The Benefits of Behavioral Charts

In its most basic form, these charts reward students for positive behavior, such as making progress on a specific skill or acting in alignment with the behavioral standards set by one's school, district, or teacher.

What makes a chore a chore? ›

Chores are routine but necessary tasks, such as washing the dishes or folding laundry.

Why is it called a chore? ›

Etymology 1

From earlier char, from Middle English charr, charre, cherre (“odd job, turn, occasion, business”), from Old English ċerr, ċierr (“a turn”), from ċierran (“to turn”), from Proto-Germanic *karzijaną (“to turn”), from Proto-Indo-European *gers- (“to bend, turn”).

What does a chore to do mean? ›

A hard or unpleasant task. Webster's New World. A task, especially a difficult, unpleasant, or routine one. Washing dishes is a chore, but we can't just stop eating.

What is the role of doing household chore? ›

Doing chores helps children learn about what they need to do to care for themselves, a home and a family. They learn skills they can use in their adult lives, like preparing meals, cleaning, organising and gardening.

How do chores teach children responsibility? ›

Chores give your children the tools to realize that cleaning up and helping around the house is about contributing to the household and often means delaying gratification and setting priorities. Having your child do regular daily chores helps them to work on these traits.

Is it beneficial to have a household chore schedule? ›

“Breaking up cleaning and organizing your home by a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly schedule can help reduce stress and help organize your life a little bit better,” says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid a Neighborly Company.

What age should you start a chore chart? ›

Ages 2 and 3

Lots of toddlers love to see a visual reminder of their success, so making sticker charts is a great choice. Although chores may only be completed with your help each step of the way, you are creating positive habits for children to find chores and helping others a way of life.

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