Stick To Your Chores

If your household is anything like mine, your kiddos aren’t thrilled with the idea of doing chores. I understand their lack of interest but keeping an ordered home is essential and really benefits everyone. Having a family approach to keeping our household in order is something we are working on. We are also working on the understanding that running our household is a family project, not just the work of one person. I think having kiddos participate in household chores is a great way to promote teamwork, to work on responsibility, and to help them feel like they are contributing to the family in a valuable way.



This past summer, there was not as much harmony between siblings as I would have liked. I decided that working toward a fun family activity would help. That is when I came up with the family chore sticks. 

Each child has their own bucket and set of sticks with age appropriate chores listed on them. We did not use pictures. We have two readers and one emerging reader so we are working on word recognition.

Once they finish their task they put their stick in the bowl and pick out a bean. They put the bean in the glass and off they go.

Once we have filled up the glass with a certain number of beans by working together and everyone pulling their weight with their chores, we get to choose a fun family activity like going to a park or movie night. Right now we are working toward a trip to our downtown library. 




This project was very easy to make. I used different post-it notes for each child. I also used the same post-it for their "morning routine tags" that we posted about in our Back to School post. I wrote the age-appropriate chore on each post-it and then used laminating paper to help them last longer. I attached a tiny piece of velcro to the stick and the laminated post-it. This way, I can change the chores as our needs change. We use coffee beans but any kind would be fine. I got the buckets in the dollar spot at Target. Love Target! We keep it in our kitchen so that it is easy for everyone to access. 

I have also included a list of how we try to make chores more fun!


1. Play some music! Our chores always go faster when we have some music going.


2. Use a timer! I am constantly setting our timer and we all try to beat the clock!


3. Catch them while they are doing something great and tell them! My kids love it when I compliment their hard work. It keeps them going and makes them really want to do a good job. 


4. Be consistent with the rewards. I know this seems like a no-brainer but if we have promised something, we make sure we deliver in a timely way so that our kiddos feel rewarded. This helps keep everyone motivated. 


5. I always make sure I am working while they are working. There is nothing more frustrating than feeling like you are the only one doing something. If they are busy, I am too. This way no one feels overwhelmed. 


I have also included a list of age-appropriate chores that I found on workingmom.com/age-guidelines.htm

3-4 YEAR OLDS CAN:	10-12 YEAR OLDS CAN ALSO:
Pick up Toys	Clean mirrors
Fold Dishtowels and Washcloths	Clean kitchen counters & sink
Match Socks	Fold and put away laundry
Put small items in the garbage	Put away groceries
Give food to pets	Pack their own lunch
Water indoor plants	Light yard work
	Load the dishwasher
- - - - - - - - - -
5-6 YEAR OLDS CAN ALSO:	13-14 YEAR OLDS CAN ALSO:
Answer the telephone	Clean the bathroom
Sweep a deck/patio/porch	Change bed sheets
Wipe the bathroom sink	Mow the lawn
Put forks and spoons away	Wash dishes by hand
Put their own clothes in the drawer	Wash the car
Sort laundry into color piles	Do laundry
Use a hand-held vacuum	Shovel snow
- - - - - - - - - -
7-9 YEAR OLDS CAN ALSO:	15 YEARS AND UP CAN ALSO:
Take out Garbage	Use a leaf blower
Set the table	Use a snow blower
Clear the table	Clean the refrigerator
Vacuum an area rug	Reorganize storage areas
Clean the inside of the car	Make Dinner
Empty the dishwasher
Put away clean dry dishes
Water the garden
- - - - - - - - - -
* The ages listed are approximate, and capabilities will vary depending on the individual child.

We know that maintaining order in your home is so important and beneficial to all. We hope these tips help you to do that. Be sure to share with us how you maintain order.
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