Free Printable Chore Chart for Kids
Several months ago, my husband and I went to hear a researcher talk about child development. The take-home message was that resilient kids are those who feel that they contribute to something bigger than themselves, e.g., their family, their community. Maybe it’s a bit cheesy, but now when we ask our kids to help at home we say “Please _____ to contribute to our family” and when they’re done we’ll say “Thank you for contributing to our family“.
I find that life gets busy and I end up doing things for my kids that they could do themselves. I want to require more of them so that they grow up to be responsible adults. I designed this chore chart to help me and them keep track of how they contribute to our family. I like the positive spin on the traditional chore chart!
This PDF has fillable form fields so you can list the chores that are appropriate for your child. I’ve included fields for the days of the week, or you can leave that blank. My kids told me the types of jobs they like to do. I’m planning to ask my kids to pick one or two jobs to do every day.
Click this link to make your own family chore chart:
FREE Printable Chore Chart for Kids
I only ask that you kindly help spread the word via Twitter, your blog, Facebook etc. Please link back to this post. You are welcome to use the image if you wish. Thank you!!
P.S. You’ll need Adobe Reader to open the PDF. If you need to download it, click here.
Technorati Tags: free printable chore chart, chore charts for kids, make your own chore chart, weekly chore chart, family chores, household chores, printable chore list, behavior charts, children’s chore charts
I'm Lisa and I live near Toronto with my husband and our two sons. Join me as I share Sweetbeets updates
and discover handmade and eco-friendly gifts for babies and children.
I love this idea! I tried to download it and I get an error “bad encrypt dictionary” and the file doesn’t open. :(
Thanks Katie! I’m sorry to hear you had troubles with the download. Yikes! I just double checked that’s it’s working for me…is it possible you have an older version of Adobe Reader on your computer and need to upgrade? Try http://adobe.com/go/reader and see if that helps. If not, what browser are you using? I’m sure we can figure out how to get it working, or I can email it to you!
I filled it out and printed it, no problems! Love this idea, so cute and useful!
Thanks so much for sharing! I blogged about :)
Very cute. I just printed one out for my 5 year old, thanks!
Lisa I think you were reading my mind because I have been wanting to make a chore chart for Natalie but just hadn’t got around to it yet. Thank you so much for making it that much easier! I will definitely spread the word on this for you.
LOVE THIS. And I don’t think you need to make excuses about “being cheesy” which it decidedly is not. It’s thoughtful, smart and loving. I am printing this out for my kids because we are working on this very thing right now and I thank you so much for creating something lovely to replace our little handwritten chart.
I’m so happy you’ve all found this PDF helpful! It’s comforting to know you are all working on this too. Last night we went to a parent education meeting at my son’s school and watched a pro-Montessori video of a 20-month old child going through his day and showing how independent he is. The mom was incredibly patient. I think most parents were shrinking in their seats! Afterwards one parent commented “Yeah, just wait until the 2nd baby comes along!” (the mom in the video was pregnant). But…it does show how much kids can do by themselves if we give them a chance. So much room for improvement in my family - mostly I need to stop doing things for my kids!!
Wow, Lisa– thanks so much for this chart! Love the concept and design. I’ve blogged about it. (And, I’ve used your photo, I hope that’s OK?)
I think we’ll slip our charts into a page protector and use a dry-erase marker to check off the items, and then switch out the chart as our chores change!
I SO know what you mean about doing things for your kids. It’s just easier and more efficient as we’re bustling along during our day, but in the long run, we’re not doing them any favors, right?
Thanks again and take care!
Thanks for sharing. This is adorable!
This was so very easy to use, thank you! These were my categories: Clean up toys, Clean out car, Set table, Clear table, Fold laundry, Put away clothes, Vacuum, and Unload dishwasher. I’ll use this for my 3 y.o. & 6 y.o. Will share on FB.
love this. just posted about it on my site. thank you!!
Thanks so much for this! I’ve been meaning to design a chore chart for my 5yo and now I don’t have to. I like the sentiment embedded in this because I hear a lot of “Why do *I* have to do it?” and I end up saying, “Everyone in our family needs to help keep our house nice”. this will be one more way to drive that point home.
love it and just blogged about it too!
Love love love this chart! Thank you so much for giving it to other like minded families. I am happy to spread the word.
I love it too, and having never tried a chart, I’d love to give it a whirl. But I’m encountering the “unable to read” message, too, and I’ve got the latest Adobe. You mentioned you would email it to someone above. Could I beg of you the same?
Sarah - I emailed you the PDF a short while ago.
If anyone else has trouble with the download, just leave a comment and I’ll email it to you too.
Thanks everyone for all your kind works and for sharing the link :)
Thanks so much for sharing this! I am going to post about it on my FB page. I filled it out and printed it and it worked perfectly. Now I just hope that my 3 year old thinks it is as grand as I do!
I love this! I was wondering if it’d be possible to set something up so a photo of the child could be inserted somewhere on the page? Cheers!
Thank you so much for making this chart available. It is exactly what I was looking for. The other ones I found were so ugly!
I don’t have children, but I love this design. I’ve been looking for a simple chore chart forever, and this is probably the best I’ve seen! You did a great job : )
I have a quite a few mom friends on facebook who might benefit from this, so I posted the link there : )
This is wonderful!! Just what we needed…. I posted it to my blog. Kids love things with their own name on it. Thanks for putting it together & sharing.
Warmly, Jenn
Sigh I wish for the day I might be using these.
Could i have a copy emailed to me. Love it!
This is perfect! I love how I can change the chores as the kids grow up. Thank you!!
I got it to download just fine but the text is very small, not the size in the photo. is there a different version? Beautiful design. Love it!
I’m using this for myself!
Love the chart- thanks so much!! I have to admit, I’m almost at a loss for things to put on my almost-3-year old’s chart. I have her help pick up her toys, but could some of you share what you’ve put on your toddler’s charts? I agree that I need to have her help more, I think I’ve been selling her short! Yesterday she saw a mess that her baby sister made, and she began to clean it up on her own. Proud momma moment!
This is so adorable. I am getting the error too. Maybe because I’m on a Mac. Don’t know why that would matter though. I’d really appreciate an email. I’m going to put on FB right now.
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing it! I’m taking a blogging break, but I will totally share it as soon as I’m back.
ps~ I’m on a Mac and had no issue with it. I haven’t tried to print yet, but everything else worked.
Thank you for a too cute chart! I have searched for charts recently and found nothing this adorable. Linked from my blog so others can print their own!!
Love this! I am using it for my Daisy Troop.
This is wonderful! Would you please email me the pdf? Thanks so much!
I came across this via ohdeedoh; thanks so much for sharing! I linked this up on my blog as well. I had been looking for something for my 4-year old and this will be perfect! I also love the sentiment behind it.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the prep for in advance. This is definitely something I will refer back to as soon as the little one is born. I’ll have him cleaning the floors and grooming the dogs in no time :)
Thanks for sharing this! I LOVE it but can’t get it to open on my computer. I even tried downloading adobe. Would you mind emailing it to me?
Thanks!
I also am unable to download this…. I downloaded the adobe (which I believe was already on my computer). It seems to shut down my browser every time. Hmmm. I’d LOVE to have this as it is a wonderful template and that is the part I don’t ever seem to get around to. Thanks!
I have not been able to download the chore chart. I even updated adobe and it still did not work. Can you email the chart to me?
I have been looking for a chore chart for me oldest since he is at the age to help out.
I’m just popping in to say that I’ve emailed the PDF to everyone who has asked for it because the download didn’t work for them. Thanks for visiting my blog!!
So sorry! One more for the “I can’t get the chart to load” list. Can’t wait to use it for my son. Great looking and useful too!
Thank you! I found you through Angry Chicken. I can’t wait to open up the file and make my own. :)
This is really great …off to save it and tumblr it too.
Hi there. I love this. I’m a modern girl and love the look.
I tried to download but it won’t open. Tells me I need a password
Hi- I can’t get it to work at all, (even DL adobe) can you email it to me?? Thanks- I am excited to use it
LOVE this. So cute.
Thank you for sharing! I’m posting about it on my blog, too- complete with image and link.
I love this, simple and cute. I plan to put it in a sleeve protector and let the guys use dry erase markers on them. Thank you so much for sharing!
P~
Love this chart!
Just in case you can’t see the fields where to type…
Once you have the PDF opened in Adobe Reader, click “highlight fields” to see where to type. In Reader version 9, the button is located at the top right.
This is awesome. I found this link from Holy Experience. I am able to open the document, but the font for the name and chores seems much smaller is this right or is there a way to alter it to make it the same size as Jackson’s?
Thank you for posting this, I have bookmarked your site and will be sure to visit your etsy shop. I love the idea of the 2010 calendar
Rachel - this happened to another person. If I recall correctly, the problem was that the file was being automatically opened in another program on the computer instead of Adobe Reader. Be sure Reader is opened first, then within that program open the chore chart. I hope this is helpful!
Thank you for this wonderful free download! I love to encourage my children to contribute with chores! I’ve heard one ask why she has to do something and I’ve explained because she is part of our family. I have printed one for each child.
Perfect!!!! Thank you!!!
LOVE this. Thank you so much for sharing it Lisa!
I love this “Chore Chart”! Is there any way of saving it or if you could email me the chart. I have twins that are still babies and I can not use it right now, but I would like to be able to use it at a later time and be able to print it up then.
Thanks!
used your chart via a recommendation from Prairiechick (http://prairieprocrastinator.blogspot.com/2009/11/chore-chart.html) Thanks for the great chart. I appreciate the fill-in-the-blanks and the free download too. Blessings!
Wonderful - Thank you!
OMG this is the best - I was going to do up a chore chart this week when a friend shared the link to your chart - it is fantastic!
Thanks so much,
Lee :)
Thanks so much my friend Lee passed this on. Gorgeous and practical!!
Nic
Thanks so much for sharing this, Im so excited (as are my Children) to have a fun bright looking job chart, Iv shared on fb and emailed the link to all my Aussie Mums, Thankyou again
Bec :)
Fantastic idea - my 5 year old has embraced it wholeheartedly. I’ve also forwarded your details to lots of friends who have also printed them for their children. Also loved the link to reusablebags.com - great ideas for boys. There are always loads of things for girls but it is difficult to find good generic styled goods for boys. Cheers for now.
thankyouthankyouthankyou. This is sooooo great!
Hello! Love this chart - the download won’t work for me either - could I receive it via email? Thank you!
Hi! This is such a great chart. I love it am exited to use it for my 6 year old and almost 3 year old. I’m encountering the “bad dictionary” prompt as well. Could you email it me too? Thanks so much!
Seems I’m having the same Mac problems as the others. I would LOVE an email attachment if you have the time. I could certainly do my own, but yours is SO stylish.
Thanks, Katie
Thank you so much for sharing this! I love that I can start my week where I want, fill in the chores I want. This is colorful and without some of the cheesy clip art others have. I am setting up pages for each of my five children-9,7,5,4 & 2 year old. I’ll try to get a blog post up linking here to share with others. You are so generous–and creative.
Oh, I have a Mac (using Safari and Preview) too and didn’t have any problems.
Blessings from Indiana
this is by far the best chore chart i’ve come across!!! Very Cute too!!!!! I love how we can completely customize it. Many Thanks!!!
Hello,
I found the link to this from Sherri’s Nourishing Heart and Home blog and would love to take advantage of your great chart. I am having problems opening it. I am using a Mac,too, but honestly, it is probably operator error :-) I would love it if you could email.
Thanks!
Thanks … great chart. You can also find some fun and useful charts at ZiggityZoom … a site for young kids and their parents.
http://www.ZiggityZoom.com
I too have a Mac and cannot download the file. If you would email it, that would be great. Love the concept and contributing…cute cute chart.
Thank you!
amanda
love the chore chart, but can’t get it to open. would you email it to me? i’m swamped with 4 who need it!
Thanks for posting the chore chart - looks attractive and very clever. However, I also cannot download from both Safari and Firefox on my Mac. Please send to my email if possible. Thanks and will be putting your blog on my FB page. Keep up the good work.
Could you email me the chore chart? I was also unable to print it.
Thank you!
thank you!!! I tried to make my own….did NOT work out. realized i needed to leave that to people who know what they’re doing. :) I searched on the internet and everything was ugly. Then I found yours….LOVE IT!!! So cute and functional. I love that you can customize it! Thank you, this is a blessing. I’m blogging about it right now. :)
Sara
Thankyou for a wonderfully designed chore chart. It is great that the kids can record their own progress. I have ‘made do’ with less than ideal ones until I discovered yours. Is it possible to include some child friendly clip art/graphics to illustrate each chore so the younger children can follow the list more easily? Thanks so much, Karen
Thanks for this chart, it’s bright and colourful. Have tried my own in the past, but the kids got bored with it. It’s great to be able to start off the new year with some positive ways that they can be part of the family rather than just Jobs to do.
I love it, my daughter loves it and USES it. Happily. Half the battle, right?! I blogged about it for tomorrow. Thank you!
Can someone email me this file? I can’t open it either and it’s the best looking one on the web after hours of searchin. (no, I’m not joking, I’ve just spent hours of my life searching through cheesy/ugly job charts! Uhhhggg!)
My kids love doing chores. I have done something similar and each of them (my kids are 2,3, and 5). I think they would love another template this week…It doesn’t come up for me. can you email it to me too?
Hi! I found your link on Super Organiser Mum (http://www.beyondthebaby.com.au/superorganisermum/) and I am another one who can’t open it. I would love a copy, if you don’t mind emailing it to me. Thanks!!
Love this! Thanks for the download!
Thank you for the FREE download. Love the modern Flare and so fun for kids!!!
Who was the researcher you saw who prompted this chart? I heard an American man speak a few years ago here in Australia and he promoted similar ideas about contributing to your family, community, etc. Just wondering if is the same person … his name escapes me though.
I love this chart but it’s not showing up for me either and I’m sure I’ve downloaded the reader properly. Is there some way to email it to me too???
@Jilly Sorry, neither me or my husband can remember the name of the researcher. But I do recall he is a professor at a Canadian University and he does work all over the world.
@Alison I just emailed you the PDF :)
so cute! already printed one off for my son and put it on my blog!
Wow, I love this and alread printed out one for my three year old with really simple chores she can help out with at home:) I love your blog:)
Thank you Thank you!
Just wanted to thank you for the great chore chart. Loved that I could just plug in our information into your form and we’re good to go. And it is really cute, which is always a plus!
Thanks for the chart! I added some photographs of the tasks since my son doesn’t read yet, and he loved it.
http://cereal4supper.com/2010/02/26/chore-chart-for-preschooler/
love the chart! just printed it for my two little helpers and posted it on fb for all my friends. thanks!
Hi, I found your site when I went searching for “Chore Charts” and this is absolutely great! I love the simple message on the top of this chart. Is there anyway to customize the colors? I love the simplicity of the chart but wanted to change the color scheme to match their rooms. Is there anyway you could tell me how to do that? Thanks for a great chart and I will be sure to tell people about this on my blog! Thanks Terri
Thank you so much for such a fantastic idea and a very useful chart. I couldn’t help but blog it! xoxoxo
http://occupationhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-raise-responsible-child.html
Bless you for designing this — and for sharing it! Much more beautiful than any chore chart I’ve seen previously.
I would love an email of this… Thanks so much for designing and sharing it! I love it.
Becky
Awesome. Thanks so much! I made a couple for my kids as soon as I found this.
love it ,,, thank you so very much … they look fantastic on the fridge … now i just need to revamp it’s neighbour - my cleaning schedule ;) and i will have to blog it as soon as i get some photos