Responsibility chart for kids

Chore, job or responsibility

Chore, job, and responsibility are not the same thing. A chore is a task that needs doing. A job is a task assigned to someone. A responsibility is a task your child owns without you asking.

That is why this responsibility chart has no day columns at all. No Monday box, no Tuesday box. Instead, each row has a job, a name, and one weekly check from you for "done without a reminder."

This chart works best for kids 6 and up. A 6 year old can own making their bed or clearing their plate. A 10 year old can own packing their school bag. The chart simply tracks whether they did it on their own.

For more on this, read The best chore chart for kids, by family and by age.

The responsibility chart template

The free printable is a one page PDF with job rows and a name column. Each row has a weekly check box for "done without a reminder." There is a reward line at the bottom for a sticker or a note.

You get letter and A4 sizes, plus a color version and an ink saving black outline version. The name line is blank, so you can fill it in by hand or use the sign up builder to print the child's name on the chart.

Print at 100 percent, not "fit to page." The reward boxes fit a 1.5 inch round sticker or a 1/2 inch star sticker. See our chore charts for more printable options.

Responsibility chart ideas by age

The best responsibilities match the child's age and skill. Start with one or two, then add more as they prove they can handle it. Here is a guide for what kids can own.

Keep the list short. A child who owns three things is more likely to remember than one who owns ten. You can always add more later.

For a 7 year old, see our 7 year old chore chart for age specific tasks. For a whole family approach, try the family chore chart.

How to make a responsibility chart at home

You can make your own chart tonight with paper and a marker. The key is to keep it simple and check only once a week. Here is how.

1. List the jobs someone always has to ask about.
2. Let the child pick two of those jobs to own.
3. Write the standard for each job, like "bed made before breakfast."
4. Hang the chart where the child can see it.
5. Check once a week only, and mark done without a reminder.

The weekly check is the secret. If you check daily, you turn back into the the reminder. If you check weekly, the child learns to manage their own time.

For a ready made template, use our job chart template and print it tonight. You can also browse downloads for more free printables.

Job charts for a classroom

A classroom job chart works differently than a home chart. In a class, you rotate jobs so every child gets a turn. One job per child per week keeps it fair and simple.

A pocket chart with job cards is the easiest way to switch names each week. You can also use our printable job cards and a pocket chart from the classroom hub.

For the sticker paper and boards that make a classroom chart last, see our boards and stickers page.