The following chore chart has been around as long as this website has. It’s been through it all, seen high demand and low demand. We introduced this system when our kids were young as a way to help other parents with a chore system that really works!
It is basically a Work for Hire system and what that means is your kids get to CHOOSE which chores they want to WORK for.
Begin by creating a weekly chore system for your kids that is non negotiable (example: make your bed, clean up after yourself, etc.). Then once those chores are done they can go to this WORK FOR HIRE system which enables them to CHOOSE which jobs they are willing to do.
Each job will have it’s own pay rate. For example taking out the trash may pay less then cleaning the kitty litter. More stressful or labor intensive jobs (raking the lawn) would also pay more. You get the idea.
There are 4 age brackets of chores to choose from. Simply download and print out the chart. Cut the chores apart and hang a dollar (or more) behind each one and clip it together for the kids to see.
But remember! in order for this to work, the basic chores must be done before any PAYING ones can be completed.
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-8
Ages 9-11
Ages 12-15
Also included is our Daily Chore Chart for FREE!
I just purchased the chores for 9-11 years old but now I am confused. I thought it was going to take me somewhere to print that and the chore chart that it said was free. Are these items being mailed to me or am I doing something wrong where I can print them?
I got this figured out 🙂
oh good! Hope they help. They really changed things in our house!
Hi Ang … you should have rec’d an email with the download links. Email me at happilyunprocessed@gmail.com and we’ll get you set up! Deb
If you have the personal chores chart please email me. Love this idea.
If your kids don’t complete all the basic chores – do you prorate your base salary? Or is it all or nothing? Just curious how other parents address this. Thanks!
Hi Shana – in our house, if my kids don’t complete their base chores they are NOT allowed to go to the Work for Hire board. Thanks for your question
thanks for the tips! Cozette sent me!
I love this idea for a chore chart. I would love a link or PDF for the job chart also.
Love this idea…If you found the PDF for the chore chart, could you e-mail it to me? Thank you!
Kasi
Nice and if it works for you great….but kids need to learn to do chores and be responsible with out getting paid. We don’t pay our kids for doing house chores .
To each their own… But eventually they have to learn about earning a living and money management. Just makes a whole lot of sense to pay them for working…
I love this idea & can’t wait to try it! What do you do if they miss a regular chore a day or two that week? Do you still give them their base salary or what?
This is wonderful! I have been all over trying to find the “perfect” chore chart/system for my 11 and 13 year old sons and I think this system is going to work fantastically for us! I’ve tried different charts and had the same results where they start off really well for a few weeks and then they’ll get down to nothing or me nagging each day to get them to do something. I will have to change a few items around (especially since we have a cat) but this is a great starting point. Thanks for sharing!
you’re welcome Tana. I hope it works out well for you!
mine are ages 9&11. What are the basic chores they should b doing? Mine don’t do anything so I am willing to try anything!!! Do u have a pdf or printout? Please email me or respond on here. Thanks
Hi Amanda. My kids are about the same as yours and each Sunday morning we do chores together (b/c otherwise a puff of wind would distract them) and the little one is responsible for emptying all the trash in all the bedrooms/bathrooms into a big paper bag. She also makes sure all baths have soap, switches out clean hand towels, makes sure all have t paper, shampoo, conditioner, shower soaps. The older one sweeps out all the bathrooms and vacuums the bedrooms and hallway. After that they are free to do the extra chores we have listed. They change as the seasons change. Right now they are raking and bagging leaves. Our property has quite a lot of leaves so they get paid by the bag and it can go on for weeks and weeks. I hope that helped!
Do you have a printable of the Chore Chart? I didn’t see it?
OKay, so I have a lot of kids. I think I”m going to try this, but do you have any ideas what I can do so the bigger kids aren’t the only ones earning? TIA
Great idea – you are so much more organized than me!
Do you have a PDF of the chore chart?
I ADORE this system. I’m totally doing this. Also, if you DO find that personal chore chart on your comp, I’d love to receive it too. You did an awesome job!
thanks Mary!
What do you mean, for this system we are giving them a base salary of $4 each. $4 at the end of each week or for each chore that done.
I think I’m gonna give this a try,
$4 for each chore???!?! I want to live in your house. LOL
My kids get a base ‘salary’ of $4 for the WEEK and then if they WANT to earn extra money they can with the Work For Hire Chores, but it’s entirely up to them. Sometimes it’s not worth the money, other times they can’t earn enough! I’ve revamped this a little bit just recently in that I’m only putting one or two chores up at a time and sometimes I wait a day or two. It kind of dangles the carrot a little bit more if you know what I mean.
She said $4 a week…
Do you have a printable file for the personal chore chart? Can you email me? Love this cute simple system! Felicia
Hi Felicia! I can check but I don’t think I do. I think I just typed it out. If I find it on my computer I’ll email it to you!