How to Create a Chore Chart
Build a chore chart that sticks: choose a few clear chores, assign and rotate them fairly, pick points or check-offs, and keep it visible. Practical, not prescriptive.
A chore chart turns 'help out more' into something specific and visible. The best charts are short, clear, and fair — and they live somewhere everyone walks past.
Pick a few specific chores
Vague expectations create friction; named tasks remove it. Start with a handful — you can always add more once the habit takes. Specific beats broad: 'clear your dishes after dinner' works better than 'help in the kitchen.'
| Age band | Example chores |
|---|---|
| Preschool | Put toys away, help feed a pet, carry own plate |
| Elementary | Make bed, set the table, sort laundry, water plants |
| Middle school | Take out recycling, load the dishwasher, tidy shared spaces |
| High school | Cook a simple meal, manage own laundry, help with errands |
Treat the table as inspiration. You know what's appropriate for your child better than any chart does — TipParents makes no claim that a particular chore is required at a particular age.
Assign, rotate, and track
Decide who does what and when, then rotate the less-popular jobs weekly so no one feels stuck with them. For tracking, pick one style and keep it simple: a points system that builds toward a reward, or a plain 'done' box. Both work; consistency matters more than the method.
Generate it in minutes
Common mistakes
- Starting with too many chores at once.
- Leaving the least-liked jobs permanently on one child.
- Mixing several tracking systems so no one's sure how it works.
- Hiding the chart in a drawer instead of on the fridge.