Summer Rules! (a.k.a. the kid friendly chore chart.)

I made up this cute little chore chart the other morning and printed it out at FedEx for $1.32. How great is that! It’s super rough as far as my photoshop skills go but if you’d like to make one for your own kiddos I’ll link the files below. I included an extra set of icons you can drag and drop into your own chart if you want to customize it. There is a cat, fish, laundry basket, toy box, plant, window washer, shower icon and more. Just hid the layers that you don’t want from my chart. Delete the excel boxes that I made for my girls (or just erase their names) and create your own to drag and drop in. I made mine in google docs. Easy peasy.

These icon charts work so well for us because it leaves the “chores” very open ended. They kids can (and do) all sorts of things to help in each category so it’s nice to discuss with them at the end of the day. “How did you help Mommy with the chickens today?” can elicit “got nugget back in the coop, collected eggs, took them our strawberry scraps, filled up their water, dumped them food” etc etc etc. “How did you practice reading today?” might get me replies of “read a book to Sally, did my ASL flash card rings, listened to a book from Mommy, read the cereal box, wrote sentences with Grace” etc. etc. etc. We try to foster an environment of helpfulness rather than help out in our home for rewards or money. But this is a good balance of both.

The “we are working toward” line really tripped up the girls. Ha! It took them FOREVER to think of something they’d like if they fill in the entire chart. After much discussion, they settled on camping in the backyard with Mommy and Daddy. I find that to be a worthy reward.

Extra chore chart icons

summer rules print file

I’m SO not a graphic designer so my photoshop skills are rough at best! But use/modify to your hearts content.

xo

J