Magnetic Chore Chart

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SparklySavings #CollectiveBias

We have always had our kids help out around the house, but we’ve never officially given them chores. They do things like cleaning up their rooms, setting the table, putting in the dishwasher detergent and running the dishwasher, but it’s pretty much just when we specifically tell them to. Then, a few months ago, David started talking about how he wanted me to make them a chore chart. I was slightly confused about this {what kid actually wants to do chores??} but I decided to go with it.

So I did what I always do when I’m about to start a project: I turned to Pinterest. And then I stalled. There are so many different types of chore charts out there, and I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I was also not sure what I wanted to do about Mason. He’s only 3, so I wasn’t sure how to handle what chores we assigned him. I think it’s extremely important to get kids involved in helping around the house at an early age, so it becomes a habit. {Plus, you can pass off the stuff you hate to do! Just kidding. Sorta.}

Anyway, Mason’s definitely old enough to do stuff around the house, but trying to figure out exactly what he could do was tricky. I started making a list of chores that we ask him to do on a daily basis, as well as the things he likes to do.

One of his favorite things to do is helping with the dishwasher. He loves putting his dirty dishes in and helping empty the silverware, but what he loves more than anything is putting in the dishwasher detergent. We use Finish detergent, and Mason thinks that it is pretty much the coolest thing ever. He loves the red powerball in the center and thinks it’s hilarious that it’s stuck in there. And because they’re individually wrapped tabs, it’s easy for him to do himself — no measuring or mess. 

For the chore chart, I decided I wanted to do something magnetic, because I think the boys would all think it was fun moving the magnets from one area to the other. {Spoiler alert: they do!}

I found a bag of 100 1.5″ cork circles on clearance at the craft store — they were originally $7.99, but they were 80% off. Plus, I had a coupon for an additional 20% off my purchase, so they ended up being about $1.27 for the whole bag. Not bad, especially considering that I was about to buy 66 wood circles for about $12!

I also got some plain round magnets.

I was originally going to just have words on each magnet, but then I realized that Mason wouldn’t be able to read them, so I poked around online and found some cute clip art for each chore. I set them up in a table in Microsoft Word, printed them out and punched them out with a 1.5″ circle punch. I used spray adhesive to attach the paper circles to the front of the cork disks and E6000 to attach the magnets to the back.

I was originally planning on getting some sheet metal to use as my base for the chart, but I wasn’t sure where I was going to put them, as we don’t have a ton of spare wall space. I then realized that the door into the garage is magnetic and has become sort of a memo board that easily gets out of control, so I decided to just use that instead.

Plus, the panels on the door were perfect for the “To Do” and “Done” sections of the chart.

Here’s how it works. David and Connor both have three permanent chores which they will have to do every day: Make their beds in the morning, hang up their backpack when they get home from school, and get their backpack ready for the next day once they’ve done their homework {Mason only has two, because what he takes to school never changes, so he doesn’t have to get his backpack ready.} Once they complete a chore, they move their magnet from the “To Do” side to the “Done” side.

Each evening before bed, they move their permanent chores back over the the “To Do” side, and they get to choose two additional chores for the following day. However, they can’t choose the same chore two days in a row. {This rule was instituted pretty much entirely to prevent David from choosing “Help with Dinner” every single night.} The order they get to choose their chores is going to be based on their behavior that day.

Then Dave and I will choose one additional chore for each of them. We will also adjust the chores we choose based on their behavior {i.e., don’t mess with Mom, or you’ll be cleaning a toilet.}.

I love how it turned out, and the boys are really into it. When I was explaining to them how it was going to work, David said, “OOH! So can I pick two chores for today?!?” I said he only had to pick one since they had already cleaned up their rooms and the toy room, and he said, “Awwww… I really wanted to dust the dining room!” Um, ok!

I’ve been a mom long enough that I realize this enthusiasm probably won’t last, but for now, I’m enjoying it.

Mason likes feeling like a big boy when he gets to finish a task and move his magnet from the “To Do” section over to “Done.”  

 

And now he gets to do his favorite task of putting the Finish in the dishwasher — officially!

Do your kids do chores? Do you have a chore chart, or do you just give your kids tasks on a daily basis?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. Among others, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”