Real-life examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids that actually works

Real examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids by age

Let’s start with what most parents secretly want: real examples you can copy, borrow, or tweak tonight after bedtime. These are examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids at different ages, using simple tools you probably already have.

Example of a weekly chore chart for preschoolers (ages 3–5)

Preschoolers can absolutely start helping, but they need things to be visual and simple. Think pictures, colors, and very short lists.

How it looks in real life:
You print a one-page chart with the days of the week across the top and pictures of chores down the side. Instead of writing “Make bed,” you use a small picture of a bed. Instead of “Feed pet,” you have a picture of your dog or cat.

Chores for this age often include:

• Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
• Carrying plastic dishes to the sink
• Helping match socks
• Putting toys in a labeled bin

Each time your child does the chore, they add a sticker or draw a smiley face in that day’s box. At the end of the week, you look at the chart together and celebrate effort, not perfection.

This is one of the best examples of an early weekly chore chart because it teaches routine and cause-and-effect: “When I do my job, my chart fills up.” Research on early childhood development backs this up—consistent routines help young children feel secure and build self-control. The CDC’s parenting resources highlight how routines support kids’ behavior and emotional health (CDC).

Example of a weekly chore chart for early elementary kids (ages 6–8)

Once kids can read a bit, you can shift from picture-heavy charts to simple words. They’re ready for a bit more responsibility and a clearer sense of “this is my job.”

Real example of how to set it up:
You use a laminated chart with three sections: Morning, After School, and Evening, with days of the week across the top. Chores repeat most days, which keeps it predictable.

A weekly chart for a 7-year-old might include:

• Morning: Make bed, put pajamas away, brush teeth
• After school: Put backpack away, put lunchbox in kitchen, feed pet
• Evening: Clear plate, wipe table spot, pick up toys

Your child checks off each task with a dry-erase marker. On Sunday, you wipe it clean and start again. This is one of the clearest examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids that supports independence without overwhelming them.

Parents often tie this to a simple reward at the end of the week: choosing Friday movie night, picking a weekend breakfast, or extra story time. The reward doesn’t have to be money; in fact, many family experts recommend focusing on connection and privileges rather than cash for everyday chores.

Example of a weekly chore chart for tweens (ages 9–12)

Tweens are in that in-between stage: old enough to do real work, but still very much kids. Your weekly chore chart needs to respect that reality.

How one family does it:
They use a two-part system:

• A weekly paper chart on the fridge with recurring daily chores
• A short list of “weekly jobs” posted next to it (things like vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom sink, or taking out trash)

A 10-year-old’s weekly chart might include:

• Daily: Make bed, put laundry in hamper, feed dog, clear dinner dishes, 5-minute room tidy
• Weekly: Vacuum bedroom (Saturday), wipe bathroom counter and mirror (Wednesday), bring trash cans to the curb (Thursday)

The child checks off daily chores and highlights weekly jobs once they’re done. At the end of the week, they review the chart with a parent and talk about what went well and what didn’t. This is a great example of how a weekly chore chart can become a conversation tool, not just a checklist.

This age group also benefits from understanding why chores matter. You can connect chores to life skills: cooking, cleaning, organizing, and basic responsibility. Long-term studies on youth life skills often highlight household responsibility as a predictor of later independence and success (Harvard Graduate School of Education).

Example of a weekly chore chart for teens (ages 13–17)

If you try to hand a teenager a cute printable chore chart with cartoon icons, they will probably roll their eyes into another dimension. For teens, the best examples of weekly chore charts look more like schedules and less like “kid stuff.”

Real example from a busy family of four:
They use a shared digital calendar plus a simple paper chart on the pantry door.

The teen’s weekly responsibilities might include:

• Daily: Load or unload dishwasher (alternating with a sibling), walk the dog after school, tidy shared spaces (living room, bathroom counter)
• Weekly: Do their own laundry by Sunday night, clean their bathroom area, help with one family meal (cooking or cleanup)

Instead of stickers, the teen has non-negotiable expectations: chores must be done before gaming, going out, or using the car. The weekly chart is less about tracking every single day and more about making the expectations visible and fair.

This is one of the best examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids on the older end of the spectrum: it respects their growing independence while still reinforcing that they’re part of the household team.

Different styles: examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for different family types

Every family runs on its own kind of chaos. Here are more real examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids depending on your household style.

Example of a color-coded weekly chore chart for multiple kids

If you have more than one child, color-coding can save your sanity.

How it works:
Each child gets a color: maybe blue for your oldest, green for your middle child, and purple for your youngest. You draw a simple weekly grid on a whiteboard, write the days across the top, and then write each child’s chores in their color.

For example:

• Blue (age 11): Load dishwasher on Mon/Wed/Fri, take trash out Tue/Thu, vacuum living room Saturday
• Green (age 8): Set table daily, wipe table after dinner, water plants twice a week
• Purple (age 5): Put napkins on table, bring shoes to shoe rack, put toys in basket at night

This is a clear example of how to create a weekly chore chart that keeps things fair and visible. Kids can see at a glance what they are responsible for and what their siblings handle, which cuts down on “Why do I have to do everything?” arguments.

Example of a magnet-based weekly chore chart for kids who love to move pieces

Some kids respond better to “move this here” than “check this box.” For them, a magnet system can work wonders.

Real example setup:
You have a magnetic board divided into three columns: To Do, Doing, and Done. Each chore is written on a magnet: “Feed cat,” “Empty dishwasher,” “Wipe bathroom sink,” “Water plants,” etc.

At the start of the week, you place the chores in the To Do column under each day of the week or under each child’s name. As kids complete a chore, they move the magnet to Done.

This is one of the most flexible examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids who like a hands-on, interactive system. It’s especially helpful for kids with ADHD or kids who need a more physical way to see progress.

Digital examples: how to create a weekly chore chart using apps and tech

If your kids are old enough to use tablets or phones, you might want to move part of your weekly chore chart system into the digital world.

Example of an app-based weekly chore chart for older kids

Many families now use shared family organizer apps or chore apps. While I won’t recommend a specific commercial app here, the pattern is usually similar.

How it typically works:

• Parents create a shared account and add each child.
• They assign recurring chores on specific days: “Take trash out – Thursday,” “Vacuum bedroom – Saturday,” “Feed dog – daily at 5 p.m.”
• Kids get notifications and check off chores when they’re done.

Parents can still print a simple weekly summary and put it on the fridge, which keeps the system visible. This hybrid approach is one of the best examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for tech-comfortable families: digital reminders plus a physical visual.

If you’re concerned about screen time, you can connect chore completion to screen privileges in a calm, clear way: “When your weekly chores are done, you get your usual weekend gaming time.” The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidance on healthy media use and family media plans that can help you balance tech and responsibilities (HealthyChildren.org).

How to turn these examples into your own weekly chore chart

Seeing lots of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids is helpful, but the magic happens when you customize.

Here’s a simple way to adapt any example of a weekly chore chart to your family:

Step 1: List what actually needs doing in a typical week

Walk through your home mentally (or literally) from morning to night. Write down the tasks that repeat every day or every week:

• Dishes, floors, trash, laundry
• Feeding pets, watering plants
• Tidying bedrooms and shared spaces
• Simple bathroom cleaning

Don’t worry about who does what yet. Just notice the work.

Step 2: Match chores to kids by age and ability

Use the earlier real examples as a guide. A 5-year-old can’t scrub a tub, but they can absolutely wipe a table with a damp cloth. A 12-year-old can handle laundry start to finish.

You can cross-check age-appropriate tasks with parenting or child development resources from trusted organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics or child development centers at universities. These often outline what kids can reasonably manage at different ages (University of Minnesota Extension).

Step 3: Decide how you’ll show the week

Pick one format from the examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids that sounds realistic for your energy level:

• A simple paper chart printed each week
• A laminated chart you reuse
• A whiteboard with columns
• A magnet board with moveable chores
• A digital app with a printed weekly overview

The “best” examples are the ones you will actually keep up with. If you hate printing things, go with a whiteboard. If you love your label maker, go wild with laminated charts.

Step 4: Make progress visible and review weekly

Kids stay motivated when they can see their progress. That’s why so many of the best examples of weekly chore charts use:

• Stickers
• Checkmarks
• Magnets moving from “To Do” to “Done”
• Color fill-ins

Build in a short weekly review—five to ten minutes on Sunday. Look over the chart together, notice what went well, and adjust. This check-in keeps the system from quietly dying in week three.

Examples include rewards, but they don’t have to be money

Many parents ask whether weekly chore charts should be tied to allowance. If you look at real examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids, you’ll see a mix:

• Some families treat chores as simply “part of being in the family,” with no payment attached.
• Some give a small allowance tied to extra jobs beyond basic responsibilities.
• Some connect chores to privileges instead of money: later bedtime on weekends, choosing a family activity, or inviting a friend over.

You get to decide what fits your values. Just be clear and consistent. If you do use money, make sure kids also help with unpaid “we all live here” chores so they don’t see every request as a transaction.

Financial education resources from organizations like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offer guidance on using allowance and chores to teach money skills in a healthy way (CFPB).

FAQ: Real-world questions about weekly chore charts

What are some simple examples of weekly chores for kids by age?

For younger kids (3–5), examples include putting toys in bins, carrying dirty clothes to the hamper, and helping set napkins on the table. For early elementary kids (6–8), an example of a weekly chore chart might add making the bed, feeding pets, and clearing dishes. Tweens (9–12) can handle vacuuming, taking out trash, and helping with simple cooking. Teens can manage their own laundry, basic bathroom cleaning, and regular kitchen duties.

How many chores should be on a weekly chart for kids?

Think in terms of time, not just number. For younger kids, aim for a few minutes of chores at a time. For school-age kids, a mix of short daily tasks (5–10 minutes) and one or two longer weekly jobs works well. When you look at the best examples of examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids, you’ll notice they don’t overload kids; they keep things realistic for busy school weeks.

Do I need a fancy printable, or can I just use a notebook?

You absolutely can use a notebook. Many of the most successful real examples of weekly chore charts are incredibly simple: a hand-drawn weekly grid, a whiteboard, or even a page in a family planner. What matters is that the chart is visible, updated regularly, and used consistently.

What if my child refuses to follow the chore chart?

First, check whether the chores are age-appropriate and whether the chart is clear. Then, look at follow-through: are there predictable consequences when chores are ignored, and are there positive moments of attention when they’re done? Many parenting experts suggest pairing expectations with calm, consistent consequences rather than lectures. Sometimes tweaking the system—like switching to a magnet board or simplifying the list—can make a big difference.

Can you give an example of a weekly chore chart that works for a really busy family?

Yes. One realistic example of a weekly chore chart for a busy family is a “bare minimum” chart: each child has just three daily chores and one weekend chore. For instance, daily: make bed, put dishes in dishwasher, 5-minute room tidy. Weekend: one bigger job like vacuuming, helping with yard work, or cleaning a bathroom sink. The chart lives on the fridge, and you review it quickly on Sunday. It’s not fancy, but it’s sustainable—and in real life, sustainable almost always beats elaborate.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: the best examples of how to create a weekly chore chart for kids are simple, visible, and flexible. Start small, expect to adjust, and use these real examples as a menu, not a rulebook. You’re building habits, not running a factory.