Free templates · Chore charts by age
Free Printable Chore Chart for Kids: Templates by Age
Quick answer: the best chore chart for kids lists 3–8 age-appropriate chores, when each is due, a box for the child to mark it done, and a box for a parent to approve it. For older kids, add which chores are paid extra jobs and a running earnings total. Below are four free templates (ages 4–18) you can copy onto paper, a whiteboard, or a spreadsheet today — or hit print.
How to build a chore chart that sticks
- Start small: 3–5 chores for young kids; add more once the habit forms.
- Make "done" clear: "tidy room" means bed made, floor clear, clothes away.
- Approve before rewarding: a parent check keeps quality up and opens a teaching moment.
- Separate paid and unpaid: family contributions are unpaid; extra jobs earn money.
- Review weekly: a 5-minute Sunday check-in keeps the chart alive.
Not sure which chores fit your child's age? Start with our chores for kids by age list, then drop them into the templates below.
Daily picture chart (ages 4–6)
Columns: Chore · Mon–Sun checkboxes
| Chore | Mon–Sun checkboxes |
|---|---|
| Put toys away | ☐ |
| Clothes in hamper | ☐ |
| Plate to counter | ☐ |
| Help make bed | ☐ |
| Feed pet (with you) | ☐ |
Tip: Use pictures or emoji next to each chore so pre-readers can follow it. Reward with stickers, not money.
Weekly routine chart (ages 7–9)
Columns: Chore · Day due · Done ✓ · Parent ✓
| Chore | Day due | Done ✓ | Parent ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make bed daily | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Set and clear table | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Tidy room (Sat) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pack school bag | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Water plants (Wed) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Extra job: sweep porch ($) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Tip: Add a 'Parent ✓' column — approval is where the teaching happens. Mark paid extra jobs with a $.
Chores + earnings chart (ages 10–12)
Columns: Chore · Due · Done · Approved · Earned
| Chore | Due | Done | Approved | Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own laundry (Sun) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dishwasher (daily) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Trash & recycling (Tue) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Walk dog (daily) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Extra: mow lawn ($5) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Extra: wash car ($4) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Tip: Add a running 'Earned this week' total and a savings goal at the bottom so kids see effort turn into progress.
Teen job board (ages 13–18)
Columns: Job · Standard of done · Deadline · Pay · Status
| Job | Standard of done | Deadline | Pay | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook dinner (Thu) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Clean bathrooms | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Family laundry rotation | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Extra: full lawn care ($15) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Extra: sell items online (10% cut) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Tip: Treat it like a real job: agree on the standard of 'done' in writing, pay only after approval, and let teens budget their earnings.
When to upgrade from a paper chart to an app
Paper charts are a great start, but most get abandoned within a month — the chart can't remind anyone, and tracking earnings by hand gets messy. If you find yourself nagging or losing track of who earned what, a digital chore chart does the work for you.
Qoin Wealth works like a chore chart that runs itself: you assign chores, your child marks them done, you approve, and the real-money reward you control is logged toward their savings goal. Kids also get short lessons in our Learning Library. Compare it with other options in our best chore app for kids guide.
FAQs
What should be on a chore chart for kids?
A good chore chart lists each chore, when it's due, a box for the child to mark it done, and a box for a parent to approve it. For kids earning money, add a column showing which chores are paid extra jobs and how much they earn.
Do chore charts actually work?
Chore charts work when they're consistent: clear chores, visible due times, parent approval, and a predictable reward. They usually fail when parents stop checking them after a few weeks — which is why many families move to a chore app that reminds and tracks automatically.
Should a chore chart include paid chores?
Many families split the chart into unpaid family contributions (making the bed, clearing plates) and paid extra jobs (mowing, washing the car). Marking paid jobs clearly teaches the connection between extra effort and earnings without paying for basic responsibilities.
Is there a digital chore chart app?
Yes. Apps like Qoin Wealth turn a chore chart into a digital system: parents assign chores, kids mark them done, parents approve, and real-money rewards you control are logged automatically. See our chore app comparison for other options.
How do I print a chore chart?
Use the Print button on this page. It prints the chore chart templates without menus or buttons. Tape it to the fridge and add a check each time a chore is approved.
Is a printable chore chart or a chore app better?
A printable chart is a great, free way to start, especially for kids under 8. Once you are tracking paid jobs and earnings, a chore app saves the math and the reminders.
How many chores should be on a kid's chore chart?
Start small: 3–5 daily chores for young kids and 5–8 weekly responsibilities for teens, plus a few optional paid jobs. Too many chores on day one is the most common reason charts get abandoned.