I have created kids summer chore cards help organize my kids and family. These help everyone chip-in and develop teamwork in the home. The summer is when I really focus on training my children. I teach them various different skills around the house and they get lots of practice. Try my free printable below for your kids this summer!
Gradual Release Chores
I teach all of the chores in a gradual release method. This is where I show the child how to complete the task and have them watch and do it with me. Then the next day, I have them do the task on their own. I assess how well they have completed it and give correction or direction if needed. Sometimes, I need to do the task with them again and model the correct way or specifics of how I would like them to accomplish the chore. The goal is for them to learn and to be able to accomplish the task on their own midway through the 14 days. Then ultimately on their own for the remainder of their chore card and from then on out. Each child is at a different level.
I work hard to give positive correction. Maybe say, “Next time, will you grab these few extra crumbs on the counter.”, or “Will you come back and wipe this end of the counter that still has peanut butter on it?”. At times, I even ask them to come back and see if they feel they did a great job, and they may notice peanut butter this time a wipe it off. Having the kids do the summer chores can give me a break in some areas yet can be a little more challenging in others as I’m often teaching into new skills.
Responsibility of Summer Chore Cards
This summer the chore cards will bump up the kid’s responsibility. They need to finish their chores each day before they may use any ipad or electronic games. These cards are really incentivizing as they get to hole punch each day. As they complete 14 days of their task they may earn a small reward and they are excited to choose the next chore category. If they are sick of the chore card they have been doing this is a nice change up. In our house, no child can have the same category card at one time. It brings them along side the household chores and they get to take care of that area for the 14 days.
Chore Card Categories
I have eight different chore cards that my kids get to choose from. The categories of the chore cards are laundry, cook, bathroom, cats, dishes, floors, outdoors and other. The kids get to choose which chore card they take on first and practice it for 14 days.
As they complete their summer chore card each day, I hole punch a number. The card lists the specific tasks that need to be completed each day. There is also a section of the card that has additional tasks that need to be done a few times over the two weeks. Several of the chore cards have varied tasks for each skill level of my children. I found that the repetitive of a chore for 14 days is how they learn and grow in that specific area before moving onto the next. I will share more about the different summer chore cards for kids categories further down in the blog. Get your own summer chore cards below!
Deeper Dive into Laundry Cards
Let’s look at the laundry summer chore cards for kids. The daily laundry tasks include daily sorting, stain care, wash, dry or hang, fold and put away. Everyone can look at the daily tasks and see what is to be accomplished. The higher skill on the laundry cars is ironing. These tasks are for my older girls that are ready for that responsibility.
With ironing, I will have a daughter watch me iron a pair of pants. I talk her through it and have her practice along side me. Then I will give her the task of ironing a few pants and I assess how well she did. We talk over a few points if needed. Usually, I let the imperfect ironing go and let her try again on a new pair. It’s very much a learning opportunity for my children. If a child gets frustrated, I may stop and discuss the task or even come back to it later in the day or the next. This gradual release can take some time, but will benefit everyone in the long run.
Bathroom Chores
The bathroom chore is to do a quick clean up so the room is nice for the remainder of the day and presentable if we have any guests stop by. Their daily tasks include wiping down the sink, counters, and mirror. They also straighten up any brushes, lotions, and laundry that may have been left out. There are a few other tasks that I’d like to be addressed twice during their 14 days of practice. These include the tub, shower and toilet. I know these will be more challenging or gross; and I will need to guide them in these areas of cleaning. Over time, the kids will get better and I may not need to guide as much.
Daddy Does the Dishes
In our home, currently, Dad does most of the dishes. It works out for us. Yet, I would like my kids to know and do dishes more often. I ask them to unload the dishwasher in the morning. This may be with Mom or Dad as we show them where all of the specific dishes live in the cabinets. I encourage all of my kids to ask where the things go instead of throwing it somewhere. They can make a pile and ask me-the goal is for them to learn where they go; so next time they can remember. Daily they are asked to rinse, load and start the dishwasher each evening. They then hand wash large items. I am including the task of wiping down the sink each day, as it really cleans up the sink and kitchen.
Kids Cooking as a Chore
My kids really like to bake and cook. As my girls get older, I would like them to start making more things for the entire family. It’s great practice in learning how to run a home. I also want my son to know these skills and quite frankly, they LOVE this chore! It’s the most popular. Our summer chore cards include meal planning, ordering groceries, putting groceries away, daily food prep and cooking 7 meals. These can alternate between breakfast, lunch or dinner. They can choose and get a variety of experience in cooking or making meals at the different times of the day. We have a lot of fun with this chore from octopus popsicles to homemade handpies! You can also check out my Simple Meal Planning post.
Here Kitty Kitty
The kids also love taking care of our two cats, Aurora and Buttercup. Not all of the tasks in this category are glamorous though. Daily they are required to feed and make sure there is sufficient water. They also are asked to brush the kitties – which the cats don’t prefer. It’s a challenge but I think that’s great for kids to do hard things. Then, throughout their two weeks they are asked to feed the cats wet canned food, clean out our cat faucet, and scoop the cat box every other day. The worst task is deep cleaning the entire cat box – not so fun, and a bit stinky. Yet again, good and necessary. The kids really learn all of the things that go into taking care of pets.
Squeaky Clean Floors
I love my floors clean. The kids appreciate it too as they roll around and pull out various toys or legos. This summer chore card includes cleaning out our vacuum robot, Samantha. This is a similar one we have and I love how it takes care of quite a bit of dust and crumbs. They also are asked to sweep different areas of our house: kitchen, master bedroom and entryway, daily. Another task is to vacuum and mop two times. I have already noticed a much nicer house when the floors are attended to, even a little bit, each day.
Outdoor Chores
Especially as we move into the summer, the outdoor chores pick up. I love getting the kids outside and this is just another way to do so. We also enjoy being outside if the porch and yard is picked up and nice. This summer chore card includes straightening up the outdoor furniture. We have a table and chairs, a seating area and a lounge chair on one side of our porch. Then we also have chairs surrounding the fire pit. I really like these chairs picked up and arranged because as guests drive up, this is one of the first things they see. The chore list continues with picking up trash and weeding every other day. They are asked to sweep the porch two times during the fourteen days. I also have them organize the family to pick up the yard before Bob, our lawn care guy, comes on Friday mornings.
The “Other” Chore Card
The last chore card for the kids is the “other” card. This includes small random chores around the house. They will help Dad out by collecting the trash daily and Mom by setting the table for dinner. They are also asked to wipe the kitchen cabinets twice, dust five times and check the light bulbs and replace as needed.
The summer chore cards for kids are so convenient as we move into a less hectic time of year. Training them in responsibility and skills to take care of the home are imperative. I love having the tangible cards for the kids to see exactly what is expected and the accountability of punching off the daily number. Print off your own chore cards below and use them with your kids this summer!
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