During the summer my kids… how do I put it… have a tendency to drive me up the wall.
I have found a great way to get some of their crazy {unheard of} energy out… make them do chores!
Chores are great! Sometimes my kids and I don’t share the same feelings on the subject, but they know once they are done with their chores they can enjoy the rest of their day. So first thing after breakfast they each pick two sticks from the Chore Jar.
I know this post is a bit of a stretch for a “food blog,” but hear me out. I am a crafty sort of girl, (in the kitchen and out) but I have seen so many great Chore charts or Chore boards or Chore scrapbooks on Pinterest and various sites that it makes my head spin.
I am not lying when I say that I have made at least 3 different types of thee above mentioned crafts; only to spend waaaaaay too much money and time creating something that my kids break, rip, or don’t have any interest in at all. Don’t get me wrong, every craft has it’s place and purpose, and that’s great. I just needed something easy, durable, and exciting for my kids.
Enter- Chore Jar.
(All items found in the kitchen.) {boo-ya!}
Not only does this Chore Jar take a whole 5 minutes to make, it’s also extremely cheap, durable and exciting!
Grab a few Popsicle sticks and write the chores you want your kids to do on one end (at least half way down the stick) with a marker.
Need some Chore Stick inspiration? Here’s the list of chores for my kids:
- Dust
- Take out trash
- Sweep Kitchen
- Vacuum Bedrooms
- Wipe Doorknobs
- Wipe Light switches
- Baseboards
- Sweep Garage
- Weeds- Backyard
- Sweep Driveway
- Vacuum Living Room
- Clean Mirrors
- Clean Sinks
- Clean Toilets
- Vacuum Car
- Weeds- Front Yard
- Do Dishes
- Kitchen Counters
- Clean Table
- Spray Floors (we have a swiffer wet-jet)
Then comes the fun part… making the BONUS Sticks! These sticks can be fun if you have multiple children, or even for just your only child. These are some of the Bonus Sticks I have in my Chore Jar:
- Your Choice
- *Freebie*
- Trade It
- Pick Again
- Pick Two More
- Mom’s Choice
Once you’ve got all your Chores written down on your sticks grab either a wide mouth mason jar, or a deep bowl. Fill it with dried black beans or coffee beans, or any type of dark dried bean. Stick your Chore Sticks and Bonus Sticks into the beans (marker side down).
Your child will not be able to see the Chore they are going to pick, and the element of surprise will have them happy to see what work they will be doing for the day. Once the chore is done, put it in another jar labeled “Done” (unless it is a chore that is required more frequently, then you can slip it back into the Chore Jar). Once all the sticks are in the “Done Jar” move them back to the Chore Jar and start all over!
Totally easy, completely durable, and extremely exciting.
Not to mention the clean house… did I mention the clean house??
*tips for chores*
Work with your kids on chores they are just learning.
Help them understand how to do them the correct way from the beginning (so you’re not having to re-do the chore later).
Little kids love to help, so take advantage and let them feel proud of the work they are doing.
Reward good work and good attitudes.
Be consistent.
What crazy chores do you make your kids do?
Sandwich Kabobs
Lora Wynn
I tried out these sticks last summer and liked them although my kids did not. I just had one question. Whenever my kids would pick the Trade It stick, we were never quite sure how to use it. Do you trade the Trade it stick for a new one or trade the second stick you get with a new one and the Trade it is like a freebie?
Shawn
We usually used the trade it stick for picking a new chore and then they can trade one chore for someone else’s or they can hold on to the trade stick for a later date. 🙂
Mahtab
informative article
Stacy Fiore
I LOVE this idea. I’m so horrible at chore charts but I totally think I can handle this!
Cordellia
What kind of rewards did the kids get? Did they get a reward until the jar was empty or when they completed their 2 chores? Or did they get money as a reward. I am just wondering,
Shawn
When they were younger we didn’t give rewards for doing chores. Now that my older kids have begun to resist the idea of chores we offer rewards like “Date night with Mom” or “Trip to the ice cream store” once they have finished all of their allotted chores. But you can choose whatever rewards work best for your child. 🙂
Trading Robot
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Kristen
OK – this is such a great (and simple) idea! So… how often do they draw? And is this for all the kids that are old enough to do chores or do you have separate jars for each? (I’m assuming it’s one jar, all kids).
I love seeing what works for other people! Thank you!
Shawn
It’s one jar for all the kids, and they draw two sticks a day. My 2 year old draws one stick and I either modify the chore for her ability or help her do it. She loves to be like her older siblings and do chores.