A chore chart printable for every child in the house

How does this printable chore chart work?

Each child gets their own page with their name at the top, a line for the week's date, and a grid with their chores down the side and the seven days across the top. Every square holds an empty star. When a job is done, the child colours in that day's star, or ticks the box if you chose tick boxes. At the bottom of the page, a reward box shows what the stars are working towards, next to a space to write the week's total.

Because one chart is made per name, siblings each get a page of their own from a single list of chores. If the jobs differ between children, make one chart, print it, then change the chores and the name and print again.

What chores are right for my child's age?

Every child is different, so start with what your child can already nearly do on their own and build from there. A job they can finish without help is far more motivating than one that needs an adult every time. Here are some common starting points that many families use.

Keep each chore short and concrete. Put clothes in the basket is easier to judge than Keep your room tidy, and it is clear to everyone whether it is done.

• Ages 3 to 5: put toys in the box, put dirty clothes in the basket, help feed a pet, carry their plate to the kitchen.
• Ages 6 to 8: make the bed, set and clear the table, water plants, pack the school bag, sort socks.
• Ages 9 to 12: load or empty the dishwasher, take out the recycling, vacuum one room, help cook a simple meal.
• Teens: do their own laundry, clean the bathroom sink, cook a family meal once a week, mow the lawn.

How many stars should earn a reward?

Set the goal so it is reachable in a normal week, not a perfect one. A simple way to work it out is to multiply the number of chores by seven days, then aim for around three quarters of that. With six chores, that is 42 possible stars, so a goal of about 30 leaves room for a busy day or a sick day without the reward slipping away.

Rewards do not need to cost money. Choosing the film for family night, an extra bedtime story, a trip to the park, or staying up 15 minutes later on Saturday all work well. Let the child help choose; a reward they picked is one they care about.

How do I get kids to actually use a chore chart?

Consistency matters more than the chart itself. Put it somewhere everyone walks past, such as the fridge or the back of the bedroom door, and check it together at the same time each day.

If interest fades after a few weeks, change something small: new chores, a new reward, or swap from stars to tick boxes. Printing a fresh chart each week also gives a clean start every Monday or Sunday.

1. Sit down with your child and agree on the chores and the reward together.
2. Show them how to do each new job once or twice before it goes on the chart.
3. Stick the chart at the child's eye level with a pen or crayon nearby.
4. Check the chart together each evening and colour in the stars for jobs done.
5. Count the stars at the end of the week and hand over the reward promptly.

Can I make chore charts for several kids at once?

Yes. Type each child's name on its own line, up to 10, and every child gets their own chart with the same list of chores in one print. Separate charts avoid arguments over whose star is whose, and each child can see their own progress.

For different jobs per child, keep one link per child. Press Copy my link after setting each chart up, and next week you can open the link and print the same chart again in seconds.

How should I print the chore chart?

Choose A4 or US Letter under Paper and press Print or save as PDF. The chart fits one page per child at either size. Ink saver mode turns the pink headings grey and keeps the stars as outlines, so it prints well in black and white. To reuse one chart week after week, slip it into a clear plastic sleeve or laminate it, and colour the stars with a dry wipe pen.