DIY Chore Jars for Kids

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I received product to review in conjunction with my Chore Jars. All opinions are my own. 

UGH! Chores! and Kids! Getting the two to mesh can be quite the pain. Since implementing these Chore Jars, however, the fighting has become less, and the house just a bit cleaner. 

I actually borrowed this idea for chore jars from my sister in law. I’ve been horrible at setting a routine and sticking with it. The kids knew they could get away without helping clean until I blew a gasket. Then we’d have one day of deep crazy cleaning with a crazy mom, but we’d head right back to no one but me cleaning up after that. 

The chore jars keep that ugly routine at bay for the most part. One jar is filled with chores that need to be done. The other jar is where chores that are done get placed. Once all the chores have been placed in the Jobs Done jar, I replace them in the Jobs To Do jar. I’ll list out the chores for you that I use, but every home is different, and you may have different chores for your kids. 

• Clean up Coat Closet
• Wash Door Knobs
• Sweep Porch
• Dust
• Wash Dishes
• Clean off Table
• Wash Walls
• Clean up Craft Area
• Gather garbage
• Wipe Down Baseboards
• Clean Out Car
• Fold Laundry
• Empty Dishwasher
• Clean Bathroom
• Sort Laundry
• Pickup Front Room
• Sweep Kitchen
• Take out Recycling
• Wash Windows
• Sweep Hall and Entry
• Wipe Down Cupboards

With my kid’s ages ranging from 10 years old to 4 years old, I was initially worried about having chores that the 4-year-old could do, but also wouldn’t be too easy for the older girls. My sister in law, of course, solved that issue as well. She used colored popsicle sticks to indicate easier chores. Since Lincoln’s favorite color is green, I indicated the chores he can do without assistance by coloring the ends with a green marker. The girls know not to pick those unless all the other chores are done. 

To make your own Chore Jars here’s what you’ll need – 

• A list of chores that can/should be done weekly
• Popsicle Sticks
• Permanent Marker
• Chore Jar Labels
• Cleaning Cloths

Start by cleaning your jars. This was a great way for me to test out the glass and polishing cloth from e-cloth. These rags need no cleaner, just water to work, and the glass cleaner doesn’t even need water! With 3.1 million fibers per SQ inch, chemicals aren’t needed. These make the perfect cleaning cloths for kids, so you can avoid them spraying chemicals all around the house. 

Once your jars are clean, affix the cute labels I made for you with hot glue. Set aside, and start labeling your popsicle sticks. Add one chore per stick, and place in your Jobs To Do jar. Remember to mark chores that are easier for the younger crowd.

I grabbed one more quart mason jar to put the e-cloths in. With everything together in one spot, the kids have no excuse to not get their chores done. Of course, now you may be asking how I get the chores to actually get done. This is what has been working for us.  

When the kids get home from school, they must first work on homework while enjoying an afterschool snack (come on, I’m not a mean mom!). After their homework and snacks are finished they must pick one chore from the jar. When they finish their chore, the rest of the evening is theirs. Periodically I incentivize the chores with an extra snack or activity. With Valentines this month I’ve included another mason jar full of chocolates next to the jars. When their chore is complete they are allowed one chocolate.

When Saturday rolls around, whatever chores are left in the Jobs To Do jar must all get done. We work together in the morning, and then the goal is to have a fun family activity in the afternoon. Somedays we don’t get that fun activity, but on a good day, and especially a good week, we try to reward the family for their hard work. My oldest has taken to asking if she can do an extra chore on weekdays to earn money. Usually, it’s for something like ice cream at lunch, or a new book from the school bookstore – each costing less than a dollar. I allow her to do this, but once again remind her she’s not allowed to pull the green sticks to earn money. 

What chores would you add to my list?

Check out this Bathroom Cleaning Station for kids