Printable summer chore chart

While summer break should be carefree and fun, I’m a big fan of structure and this will be the second year I’ve had my kids use a summer chore chart.

My usual guideline for them is that you do what you have to do before you do what you want to do. This chart helps them, helps me and ensures that they’re occupied — and rewarded enough to stay motivated to keep it up.

You can print the chore chart and post it somewhere central in your home, or even laminate one for each of your kids and have them check things off each day with a dry-erase marker. We grownups can’t be the only ones who are deeply satisfied by crossing things off a list, right?

“Ask for a chore” (No. 11 below) could be anything from putting dishes in the dishwasher to matching socks as they come out of the dryer. Oh, and there are reward ideas here but it would be fun to brainstorm others with your kids, too.