Family chore chart for two, three or four kids

Why one chart beats one per child

The 'that's not my job' argument dies when every job has a name in its column. A family chore chart is a grid of jobs down the side and names across the top, so each kid can see their own row of responsibility at a glance. One chart for the whole family stops the blame game because the chart shows exactly whose turn it is.

The family reward at the bottom needs every column filled. That means the kids have to check each other's work, not just do their own. Add a parent's column too, so mom or dad also has a job and a check mark. Siblings checking each other is part of the deal, and it works best when the chart is fair and visible.

Separate charts work better when there is a big age gap, like a teen and a 3-year-old. The teen's chores are not the little one's chores, and the little one's chart would be confusing. Use the by-age charts for that situation, and keep the family chart for when the kids can all read the same grid.

• Ends the 'that's not my job' argument
• One family reward at the bottom
• Parent's column shows everyone is in it together
• Siblings check each other's columns
• Separate charts only for big age gaps

Daily and weekly chores for kids on a family chart

Pick chores that fit the ages of your kids. The table below gives you a starting point for a family chart. You can swap jobs between kids as long as the grid stays full.

You can find more age-specific ideas in the chore charts by age guide. The printable weekly chore list has blank rows so you can add your own family jobs. Keep each kid to 2 or 3 rows on the chart, and rotate the weekly ones so nobody is stuck with the worst job all month.

How to create a family chore chart

Follow these six steps once, and you will have a chart that works all month. The free printable family chore chart template makes step 4 easy. The family meeting in step 5 is what makes it stick.

1. List every household job on a scrap of paper
2. Cross off the adult-only ones (like paying bills)
3. Let each child claim the jobs they want
4. Fill the grid: jobs down the side, names across the top
5. Agree the family reward together
6. Hang it in the kitchen at eye level

If you need help with step 5, see the rewards chart page for ideas that are not money. For step 2, the guides on household chores for kids explains what is age-apropriate. A sample family chore chart is in the templates download pack.

The 2-kid, 4-kid and monthly versions

The printable set has one chart for 2 kids, one for 3, and one for 4. Each chart has blank name columns at the top, so you fill in the names with a marker. The monthly version has the same jobs but a blank grid for rotating the jobs each week.

For the montlhy grid, write each child's name in a different column each week. That way the worst job moves around. The daily chart uses check marks for each day. For younger kids, let them put stickers on their own row. For older kids, initials work fine.

The downloads page has all the versions in one file. You can print one chart per month or one per week. The 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds charts have picture boxes instead of words, if that fits your family better.

Keeping it fair between siblings

Rotate the worst job every week. Nobody wants to take out the trash every single day. The monthly grid makes this easy because you just move the names down a column.

Give older kids more rows and harder jobs. A 10-year-old can handle 4 chores, a 6-year-old can handle 2. The 6-year-olds chart has a good starting point for the youngest ones.

The youngest gets fewer rows, but they still get a column on the family chart. Even a 4-year-old can wipe the table or put away toys. The 5-year-olds chart has simple jobs you can copy over.

Hold a family meeting when it feels unfair. Let each kid say one thing they want to change. Then adjust the chart together. The guide on making a chore chart has a script for that meeting.