Free printable chore charts for kids, like this one, can be used to keep the whole family, regardless of age, on track! See how you can put this free chore chart to use in your home as well as score tips and tricks for making this addition seem less like well, a chore. 😉
Believe it or not, if your little one has reached the “terrible twos” he or she is probably ready for some basic chores, and a good way to introduce this concept is with a chore calendar printable (like this one). According to Roger W. McIntire, a University of Maryland psychology professor, “Kids can do a lot of chores at an early stage. We hold back too long because we think they ought to be ready first. But that puts the cart before the horse. That is, they’ll learn by doing.”
The key to getting your kids started with chores is to:
- Select chores that are age appropriate. This huge home cleaning checklist bundle may inspire you.
- Make your expectations clear, which is where free printable chore charts for kids can help!
- Don’t expect perfection—especially in the beginning.
- Offer ample praise for completed tasks.
In addition to the tips listed above, it’s important to get your kids excited about chores. This may sound like a real challenge; after all, most of us don’t like chores, but it’s actually fairly simple. Keep in mind, that children can be motivated by something as small as a gold star placed on the free kids chore chart next to their name or a little treat such as an outing to the park.
Tip: One way to incentivize a job well done, so to speak, is by combining this free chore chart with this free printable play money template. Assign (fake) dollar values to the jobs on the chore calendar printable, give your child this fake money as payment, and allow him or her to exchange their hard earned cash for prizes of different values. Not only can this help them get used to having some responsibilities around the house, it can also help them start to grasp the value of a dollar … even though the dollars in this situation are fake. 😉
Bonus: If you are going to follow the tip above and add dollar values (or points) to tasks, this version of a printable chore chart for kids might be a little easier to use!
As mentioned above, an easy way to make your expectations clear is to implement a free kids chore chart in your home. (And keep in mind that this chore chart doesn’t have to be just for kids … everyone can use a little extra accountability now and again!) Free printable chore charts for kids, like the one below, allow kids to keep track of what chores they have to do and their progress.
To start, create a free chore chart for each one of your children (and perhaps for yourself and your spouse). Put a name on the top, list out the chores, and put check marks on the days the chore should be completed.
For example, you might assign a twelve-year-old to take out the garbage, so on his or her chore calendar printable, you would put “take out the garbage” and then put a check mark on Thursday (or whenever your garbage day is). Once you’ve filled out the free printable chore charts for kids (and adults), hang them up where they are very visible.
Don’t just use this free kids chore chart to tell your child what to do. Instead, use it to motivate your child to complete his or her chores. For example, tell your child to replace a check mark with a star sticker when the chore is completed.
Tip: Get your kids excited (I mean really excited) about tracking their progress. Some special cleaning stickers might do the trick!
Use the free printable chore charts for kids and adults below to introduce your child to chores and hold the whole family accountable for keeping the house tidy.
Download your Free Printable Chore Charts for Kids and Adults now!
Household chores aren’t the only thing your kiddo is responsible for … what about his or her homework? This free homework chart printable can help them keep up with their school chores! 😉
Have you implemented free printable chore charts for kids in your home? How do you motivate your kids? Share your experiences and inspiration in the comments.
Ana says
nice idea,rhanks
Heather says
This would be great for my five year old, once he learns how to read.
sandra davis says
great idea to keep it a routine
Tammy Schweitzer says
Aww thanks this is a fabulous ideal too use thanks for posting it
Bex Smith says
Thanks for sharing – my son is two and a half and I have started him with basic chores 🙂
Amy P says
Don’t tell my mom this, but I’m actually grateful she gave me lots of chores growing up because when I left home, I knew how to care for myself.
Vanessa says
Thank you!
Kelli says
You are very welcome, Vanessa!
Miranda Pearson says
Thank you for the post! I have two kids and they are really helpful when it comes to house cleaning. I am planning to to make them individual chore charts and some kind of rewarding system with stickers. They just grow so fast and I want to keep it interesting for them to do cleaning and organizing! I will definitely use the printable! 🙂
Wide Shoes Womens during Holidays says
I just added this web site to my rss reader, excellent stuff. Can not get enough!
Kim Lloyd says
Hi Kelli!
I love your site and subscribed, but I haven’t received the link to print the chore chart. Can you help? Its perfect for my tween girls!
Kelli says
Hi Kim, Send me an email and I’ll make sure you get the free printable. 🙂 Kelli
Jessica says
Having the same problem. Subscribed but it doesn’t send me the link to print the chore chart.
Kelli says
Hi Jessica, If your popup blocker is on you may not be able to see the printable. It should show up in the bottom of the screen. You can email me and I’ll make sure you get it. 🙂 Kelli
Ramona says
Hi,
the download link isn’t working. Is it possible to get the chart?
Thanks
Kelli says
Hi Ramona, You should now be able to sign up for my daily email and access all the free printables. You will find all the printables there. ? Kelli
You can sign up here: https://www.freebiefindingmom.com/email-signup/
Becky says
I signed up for your free printables and they all link to your email sign up. There’s no way to download the chore chart
howtoheatpress.com says
What a printable! If I were to do it myself it would probably be an ugly black and white deterrent to doing chores 😀 while yours may hopefully serve as an encouragement. I have some star stickers lying around that they can put on once the chore is completed. Thanks!
Kelli says
I’m glad it is helpful. 🙂 Kelli
Betsy says
I signed up for the emails and received the subscription activation email and clicked it. Still couldn’t access the chore printable. Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
Kelli says
Hi Betsy, Did you paste the code you were emailed to the top of this page https://www.freebiefindingmom.com/printables/ and click “Access Printables”? Kelli
Shannon says
I am not able to print this?
Kelli says
Hi Shannon, You need to sign up for the email newsletter to download the free printable. You can sign up here: https://www.freebiefindingmom.com/email-signup. After activating your subscription you will get a code to enter on this page where you can access all the free printables. Hope that helps! Kelli
Sam Baker says
This is fabulous! We just got to the lazy teenage years and I’m so sick of nagging my daughters to help out. So this is fabulous for accountability. Might even whip up some super cute stickers on my vinyl cutter as well. Signing up – thanks for creating and sharing.
Kelli says
Hi Sam, I’m happy to hear this freebie will come in handy for you. Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Kelli
Melissa says
signed up…put access code but can’t print this off. 🙁
Kelli says
Hi Melissa, Please make sure you don’t have an extra space when pasting the code. Hope that helps! 🙂 Kelli