Chore chart: fair, age-appropriate jobs for the whole family
Arguments about whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher wear everyone out. This prompt has your todo.is agent give each family member jobs that match their age, rotate the unpopular ones fairly, add a simple points or pocket money system, and design a colourful chart to print.
The prompt
- Make a chore chart for our family: [FAMILY MEMBERS AND AGES]. Include daily jobs and weekly jobs that suit each age, and rotate the jobs nobody likes ([JOBS NOBODY LIKES]) every week. Use [REWARD SYSTEM]. Show roughly how long each job takes so it's fair. Design a printable A4 chart as a PDF with each person's name, a colour and tick boxes for Monday to Sunday, plus an editable Excel version. Every Sunday at 19:00, send me on WhatsApp next week's rotation and who earned what.
What to change
- [FAMILY MEMBERS AND AGES]: E.g. "Mum, Dad, Maya 11, Leo 7, Zara 4". Include adults so kids see everyone helps.
- [JOBS NOBODY LIKES]: E.g. "bins, cleaning the bathroom sink, unloading the dishwasher".
- [REWARD SYSTEM]: E.g. "points that add up to screen time", "pocket money per job", or "no rewards, just ticks".
Example result
- Family chore chart
- Mum, Dad, Maya (11), Leo (7), Zara (4) · rewards: points for screen time (1 point = 5 minutes)
- Daily jobs
- • Zara (4): put toys in the box (5 min), put her plate by the sink (1 min), help feed the cat (2 min). 1 point each.
- • Leo (7): make his bed (3 min), set the table for dinner (5 min), put dirty clothes in the basket (2 min). 1 point each.
- • Maya (11): make her bed (3 min), pack her school bag (5 min), clear and wipe the table after dinner (10 min). 1–2 points each.
- • Mum and Dad: cooking, laundry, dishes, school runs (they don't earn points, but they're on the chart too)
- Weekly jobs
- • Zara: match socks from the laundry (10 min), water plants with help
- • Leo: tidy shoe rack, sort recycling, dust low shelves (15 min each)
- • Maya: vacuum her room, fold and put away her laundry, help cook one dinner (30 min)
- Rotating jobs (switch every Monday)
- • Week 1: Maya bins · Leo unloads cutlery from the dishwasher · Dad bathroom sink
- • Week 2: Leo bins (with help) · Maya unloads dishwasher · Mum bathroom sink
- • Week 3: Dad bins · Leo dishwasher cutlery · Maya bathroom sink
- Points
- • Daily jobs: 1 point · weekly jobs: 2 points · rotating jobs: 3 points
- • 10 points = 50 minutes of weekend screen time
- • Bonus point for doing a job without being asked
- How the chart looks
- One row per person in their colour (Maya purple, Leo green, Zara yellow), jobs listed with a small picture for Zara, tick boxes Monday to Sunday, points total at the end of each row.
- Sunday message example
- "Next week: Leo has bins (with help), Maya unloads the dishwasher. Points this week: Maya 24, Leo 19, Zara 15."
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and list your family with ages, the jobs nobody likes and how you want to reward them.
- Paste it on the Today screen in todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- You get a printable PDF chart, an editable Excel version and a weekly rotation message.
- Send the week's ticks ("Leo 19 points") and your agent keeps a running total.
Tips for a better result
- Show young kids how to do each job a few times before it goes on the chart.
- Keep it short: 2 to 4 jobs a day per child is plenty. Long lists get ignored.
- Praise effort, not perfection; a 4-year-old's folded socks won't be neat.
- Ask your agent for a picture-only version for children who can't read yet.
chore chart: FAQ
- What chores can a 4-year-old do? Simple jobs like putting toys away, feeding a pet with help, matching socks and taking their plate to the kitchen.
- Should kids be paid for chores? Families differ. Some pay for extra jobs only and expect everyday ones for free; your agent can set up either system.
- How do I make a chore chart fair? Give each job a time estimate, rotate the unpopular ones weekly and put adults on the chart too.
- Can I change the chart later? Yes. Tell your agent what to add or swap and it sends a new PDF and Excel file.
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