Household chores are a part of life for most families. Kids are given daily, weekly, and monthly tasks suited to their age, helping them learn responsibility and how to care for themselves and their home.
While chores aren’t usually anyone’s favorite thing, you can make them easier to complete—and with fewer reminders—by adding a bit of fun. These ideas and checklists are designed to help with just that.
Let Everyone Have a Voice in Choosing Chores—Within Limits
Just like kids have different interests and hobbies, they also have chore preferences. For example, a swimmer might enjoy skimming the pool daily, while a child who loves a particular TV show might prefer tidying the living room while watching.
Start by listing all household chores on a whiteboard, then let each child choose a task. For the first round, pick in order of age. After that, kids who finish their chores on time without reminders can choose earlier than older siblings who need a little extra encouragement.
Keep safety in mind: kids should only pick chores appropriate for their age and abilities. For instance, putting away toys is great for a 3-year-old, while unloading the dishwasher or helping with dinner suits older kids with better motor skills.
Create a Chore Soundtrack
Many families set aside chore time on weekends when everyone pitches in. Make it more fun by playing an upbeat playlist that kids can sing and dance to while working. You can even let the child who finishes first pick the playlist for the next week as a reward.
Tie Chores to Allowance or Rewards
Some parents motivate kids by linking chores to allowances or other rewards, teaching both the value of money and the importance of a strong work ethic. Make sure chores remain non-negotiable—allowance or rewards are bonuses, not payments for skipping tasks.
Rewards don’t have to be cash. They can be extra screen time, a sleepover, or choosing a special dinner for the week.
Use Chore Charts
Once chores are assigned, the playlist is ready, and rewards decided, use a chore chart to track progress. You can include tasks like:
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Put away toys
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Clean room
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Brush teeth
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Comb hair
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Set dinner table
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Clear dinner table
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Feed pet
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Walk pet
Download a Kids Chore Chart to get started! Add colorful stickers or stamps for each completed task to make tracking fun. This also helps parents quickly see who’s keeping up with chores and who might need a reminder.
For professional home cleaning help, consider reaching out to trusted housekeepers in your area.