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Living Well Mom

I help moms with simple, natural ways to look after their families. Find recipes, fun stuff for kids, and simple DIY ideas. Plus natural solutions made easy peasy!

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How to Make Chore Sticks: The Brilliant DIY Chore System for Kids

By Erika in Activities for Kids

free printableThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

These chore sticks really work! If you are tired of battling with your kids to get them to pitch in, you’ve got to give this a try. These little miracle sticks actually make my children excited to do their chores. Who would have thought?

Does it sometimes feel like you’re always frustrated with your kids NOT doing their chores? You’re not the only one. It’s something most parents deal with at one time or another.

I’ve tried many chore systems with my kids over the years, trying to keep track of their tasks and motivate them too. I’ve finally figured out a simple chore system for kids that actually works.

In fact, it works so well that my kids actually beg me for more chores to do! (I never thought I’d say that!)

We call it chore sticks (you’ll see why in a moment). This chore system is super easy to put together and requires only a few inexpensive materials.

fun chore stick system plus incentive chart pin this idea now...

What are chore sticks?

Basically, kids can earn chore sticks for doing chores. You determine how many chore sticks they earn, then the kids can turn in their chore sticks for privileges, treats, or even allowance.

My kids turn in chore sticks for TV, Minecraft, or tablet time, and also things like treats (salsa, chips, popsicles), 1/2 hour later for bedtime, and allowance money.

The chore sticks themselves are like the play money. The kids have to actually hand over a hard-earned stick in order to earn their reward or privilege, so it’s a good way to teach them how money works at home.

printed list of chores that can be done to earn chore sticks

If your kids are trading in their chore sticks for allowance, make a DIY Rainbow Mason Jar Piggy Bank to store up their hard-earned cash.

Where to Put the Reward Chart

Our Chore Sticks reward chart has a place of honor on our family command center where it reminds everyone of these incentives.

Make sure to put it somewhere prominent so the kids are motivated continually!

responsibility chart for kids in laminated pouch

This chore system works so well because it’s like a pretend money system within the family. You work, you earn things. You don’t work, you don’t get stuff. Simple.

My kids have chosen not to watch TV because they wanted to save chore sticks for a new toy! That NEVER worked with old basic chore charts.

mason jars personalized with name labels

That’s the other thing – I don’t have a set amount of chore sticks. My children earn based on their performance (did they do a good job or did I have to tell them three times to sweep all the crumbs?) and attitude. If they have a poor attitude, they’ll earn less or nothing at all.

craft sticks with washi tape wrapped around them

It’s like the real world. If you work hard, you’ll be rewarded more (most of the time.) If you have poor performance and/or a bad attitude, you’re not going to get very far.

We’ve found this chore system for kids to be much easier than simply earning allowance. Occasionally, I’ll buy a toy or something like a swim goggles that’s on sale and put it away until that child has earned enough chore sticks to pay me back.

It’s amazing how well this chore system for kids works!

jar of diy chore sticks

What do you put on chore sticks?

I’ve been asked this a few times but I don’t put anything on the actual stick. Instead, we choose to treat the stick like a cash of sorts.

I use this along with our Zone Chore chart – my kids usually earn 2 chore sticks for completing their zone chores with a happy attitude.

Then I give them additional chores if they ask for more! I never have a hard time coming up with things that need to be done.

If you need a few chore ideas, here’s a quick list to consider:

  • Wash clothes
  • Put away laundry (easy for kids especially with this simple clothing organizing system)
  • clean toilets
  • clean sinks in the bathrooms
  • wiping down kitchen cabinets
  • load dishwasher
  • vacuum the house
  • clean the kitchen counter (grab some of my favorite DIY cleaners here)
  • load the dishwasher
  • dry dishes
  • clean mirrors
  • mopping

I also include a category that’s called “mom’s choice”. They ask me what I want them to do and I can simply assign a task that is an immediate need. This can be anything from collecting library books to return to unloading groceries.

I’ve also found that it’s fun to have a list with different types of chores because my little helpers love to choose instead of me just assigning things.

Free Printable Chore Sticks Chart

I made a free printable “Chore Stick Chart” here that you can fill in with what works for your family.

(Right click & save. Then print and write in your family’s rewards. )

an image of a chore printable for kids

Another free printable option:

free chore chart with space for customization

How to Make Chore Sticks:

Supplies:

  • 2+ small mason jars (1 for the main chore stick jar and 1 for each child)
  • approximately 50 craft popsicle sticks (more or less, depending on how many kids you have)
  • washi tape or thin decorative duct tape
  • tape or hot glue gun
  • chore stick labels (Free printable below)
  • chore stick reward chart (free printable above)

Step 1:
The kids can help with this part. My children loved helping make their own chore sticks!

Wrap small amounts of washi tape or thin decorative duct tape at the top of the craft sticks. Do this for all the craft sticks.

Step 2:
Print & cut out your chore stick labels here:

(Right click, save, then upload to PicMonkey and add your children’s names for the blank labels (I used free font “Eraser Dust”)

chalkboard labels for jars

Laminate or cover the labels in clear tape for added durability.

Step 3:
Wrap a piece of washi tape around the top of the chore stick mason jar. Attach the labels with tape, removable adhesive, or even a glue gun.

One jar will be the main chore stick jar…

diy chore system for kids using craft sticks in a jar

…and the others will be for each child. Let them decorate their own jars- they’ll love it!

five mason jars for chore system for family

Step 4:
All the chore sticks go into the main chore stick jar until they are earned.

jar of chore sticks personalized with colored tape

Fill out & print your Chore Stick Reward Chart (above) and hang it in an obvious spot where everyone will see it. This is an effective way to motivate your family to get started on the various cleaning tasks too!

You can even have games to see who has the most chore sticks by the end of the week with a special prize. Play around with different ideas and see what happens. I think you’ll find this simple chore system to be a huge help!

chore sticks for kids list with mason jars and washi tape wrapped popsicle sticks

You’re ready to go!

Say goodbye to all the fighting with this new chore system for kids.

Chore sticks will help teach them responsibility and the value of hard work, along with helping to keep your home cleaner and neater!

With practice (and a little patience,) this will soon become a family routine and you’ll be enjoying a clean house (well, mostly clean at least!).

More Ways to Get Kids Involved in House Management

  • How to Make Your Laundry Routine Effortless
  • The Easy Way to Organize Kids’ Clothes
  • 5 Creative and Easy Ways to Organize Toys
  • Easy Shoe Organizer for Kids
diy chore system for kids pinterest image

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    Filed Under: Activities for Kids, For Moms, Parenting Tagged With: free printablePublished on December 28, 2021

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    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a flower essence practitioner and a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She enjoys her chickens, goats, and gardening on a small farm in New Hampshire, and is passionate about sharing flower essences and more ways to renew body, mind, and soul with moms.

    Comments

    1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

      July 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      That is a cute idea. I Love how they came out.

      Reply
    2. Amy Desrosiers says

      July 13, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      This is such a great idea for my three. Two of them are old enough for chores and need to get some done.

      Reply
    3. Vera Sweeney says

      July 13, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Getting kids to do chores can be a pain especially in the summer! These are great ideas for getting kids to do their chores and ways to keep track of them doing their chores.

      Reply
    4. Mama to 5 BLessings says

      July 13, 2015 at 9:15 pm

      That is a really cute idea. Definitely a great way to mix it up!

      Reply
    5. Scott says

      July 13, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      That’s a really great currency idea! But the popsicle for two sticks – need to make sure the empty stick doesn’t end up being reused!!!

      Reply
    6. Emily says

      July 13, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      This is a really great idea. I think we will give it a shot!! thanks!

      Reply
    7. Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says

      July 13, 2015 at 11:51 pm

      I love this idea! I have seen it with stickers before but my oldest would love having the sticks!

      Reply
    8. Eva Wachter says

      June 3, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      I tried making this system work for us today.. my kids were excited but, I can’t get the darn tape to stay on the sticks.. ugh. I think I’m going to have to hot glue the tape to itself to keep it on there without peeling off. Do you have any tips other than that? Or am I the odd one out with having that issue?

      Reply
      • Erika says

        June 6, 2016 at 9:42 am

        Have you tried tiny colorful duct tape? That has a better “stick” than some of the washi tape and you can find it at Walmart or any craft store. I would try that next.
        Good luck, Eva!

        Reply
    9. Tara says

      October 13, 2016 at 7:29 am

      VERY CUTE IDEA! I’m going to try this today, but a question.. do you have any ideas for an actual board for the list of chores that each chore stick represents? Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        October 13, 2016 at 10:47 am

        Hi Tara! Honestly, I try to keep things simple, so I would print out a list of chores and hang it on a bulletin board. You could also try a picture frame and hang something in there. Just a couple thoughts.
        Good luck!

        Reply
    10. Karen says

      April 7, 2017 at 11:11 pm

      I love this idea! Is salsa and fruit really a reward though?!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        April 11, 2017 at 9:08 pm

        It is for my children! You can use whatever rewards your kids prefer. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Jen says

      September 22, 2017 at 2:07 am

      This looks fantastic! I do have a silly question maybe… so one chore equals one stick equals 30 minutes Minecraft AND all of the things listed under “1 chore stick” or each stick equals each option, they are just choosing their reward off of that list. THEN if they do two chores, they get two sticks and can get something from the “2 chore sticks” list? I’d love if you could clarify! Thanks!! 🙂 We just moved and my brain I’m afraid is still in a box! 😉

      Reply
      • Erika says

        September 22, 2017 at 9:25 am

        Hi Jen, for us, one chore sticks means they can choose ONE reward, that might mean 30 minutes of Minecraft OR TV or something else.
        Hope that helps. Good luck with unpacking!

        Reply
        • mona says

          December 7, 2018 at 12:17 pm

          I’ve got the same question – one chore is for one
          Chore stick ? Then if they do 2 they earn 2 ??? Do you have the chores written up for them or can those be found somewhere??

          Want to try -? Thank you for sharing 😊😊

          Reply
          • Erika says

            December 10, 2018 at 3:32 pm

            Hi Mona, you can do this however you prefer. For us, some chores earned 1 chore stick while others were harder chores and earned 2 (or more) chore sticks.

            I did write a post about “Zone Chores” list and you can find that here: https://livingwellmom.com/practical-ideas-getting-kids-chores-chore-chart/

            Reply
    12. Natasha says

      November 2, 2017 at 11:04 am

      Great idea…do you have a limit of how many chores they do for the day as I can see how they would want to do all chores to obtain the rewards. Also I think I will use this on the chores list that they dont do daily and also factor in taking initiative without being asked.

      Thanks again!!!

      Reply

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