Inexpensive, Easy Chore Chart for Kids

This summer is the first summer I’ll be at home most days with the kids since I started my freelance adventure last fall. My 6 and 4 year old are bright, exuberant kids and I knew I’d have to add structure their days if I wanted any sanity. However, with my freelance work I don’t have the ability to be there every moment to guide their day (and who would want to?). It’s also great for fostering their independence as well.

I went to work trying to find chore charts, but none of them were quite right. My 4 year old can’t read the text chore charts, and many of the picture charts were geared toward very little children, or had unattractive graphics.

After doing some research I landed on four requirements:

  • I wanted a photo chart that my four year old could understand and interact with on her own;
  • I didn’t want to spend much money;
  • I wanted the flexibility to change their days up, but I also didn’t want to have to print a new one each week; and
  • I needed something I could mount to the fridge somehow – I didn’t want a chart that required wall space.

I landed on the concept of a magnetic chart with two categories: “Doing” and “Done.” I saw a few examples that I liked and got to work emulating those based on my needs. However, I needed clip art. It was SO hard to find cute clip art that would work for this! That’s when I stumbled upon Audrey Schilaty‘s blog. She had the exact chart I wanted – for free! Really, it’s the nicest free resource I’ve found. She offers both personal care and chore images, and I used a small combination of both (sad but true: I forget to have my children brush their teeth all to often).

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I made it my own with a few modifications:

  • I drafted my own simple “Doing” and “Done” text document and used just the images I needed from her selection, so it would all print on one page, saving me money.
  • I printed it on a glossy sheet of photo paper that I had on hand, and then just placed it on an 8.5×11 sheet of adhesive magnet. You can buy packages of adhesive magnet sheets at office supply stores, but I found the most inexpensive option for heavy sheets – I got mine for just $3.59. I cut the small pieces to size, added them to the fridge, and voila – a clean, easy and inexpensive chart.

Magnetic Chore Chart | Five Marigolds

The kids woke up the first day and had moved two magnets over before I had a chance to remind them about it! So far, it’s been a great success.

DIY Magnetic Chore Chart | Five Marigolds

I encourage everyone to check out Audrey’s great blog. And, if you’d like a copy of the 1-page version of the printable I used to create my chart using her images, just click the image below!

Chore chart printable | Five MarigoldsThere you have it – a chore chart for just $3.59. What are your tips for keeping the kids structured in the summer? Let me know in the comments below.

 

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7 thoughts on “Inexpensive, Easy Chore Chart for Kids

    • fivemarigolds says:

      Hi Kara! I’m glad you’re a fan of the chore chart. I’ve updated it so that when you click on the image of the document in this post, you can save the document by right clicking. If that isn’t working for you, please let me know. Enjoy!

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