Summer Holiday Chore Chart | Tween Edition
THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS – It’s every kid’s favourite time of the year. A time where they’re allowed to sleep late, sleep in, play the whole day, and sit in front of their screens. Although I allow them to have that downtime and let loose during the holidays, that doesn’t mean they can stuck their heads on their tablets and glue their faces in front of the TV the whole day. Therefore, some normalcy is needed to prevent the forthcoming lazy days.
Study has shown that kids do better with routine and structure. It doesn’t has to be followed down to the ‘T’ as per their school schedule. However, I believe some learning has to be done to keep up and get ready for the next school year. Mix it up a little. Like have them contribute to the household chores. It teaches kids to be responsible, independent and discipline.
So, instead of doing all the chores by yourself, use it as a time to bond with the family to teach kids cooperation and instill valuable work ethics.
Furthermore, I don’t want to be nagging my kids and be called a ‘fuss’ at the end of the day. So I’ve come up with a chore chart for my girl (9 years) to make her summer routine productive and yet, enjoyable.
Here’s a step-by-step on how you can create a chore chart for your kid:
- First, find out what your kid is currently capable of doing independently. You can also add a totally new chore which they’ve not done before as a way of learning a new skill.
- Decide on an incentive (No Screen-Time, Playing With Friends or Work For Hire) or no incentive, that’s a family decision. I decided on the latter.
- Then, design and create a colourful chore chart. Everything in colours are always a hit with my girl.
- Lastly, we’ve decided on using a clipboard by inserting the chart in an A4 transparent plastic cover.
- With a whiteboard marker, have your kid cross out the tasks they’ve completed.
These are the tasks I’ve decided for my girl. However, the chores can be individualized depending on their skill-level and purposes.
Below is a list of other chores which I think it’s suitable for a kid/tween ages 8-12.
- Take the trash out
- Put away the recycling items
- Prepare own breakfast
- Make a simple meal (with directions and supervision for first-timers)
- Clean dishes
- Empty the dishwasher
- Sweep or vacuum floors and carpets
- Dust furnitures
- Clean windows
- Change own bedsheets
- Wash and dry the laundry
- Fold laundry
- Clean the toilet
- Look after a younger sibling (chore for a tween or teen)
- Water the plants
- Feed the dog
- Bath the dog
- Wash the car
If you’d like more chore ideas according to age group, check out the age-appropriate chore list by Focus On The Family.
FREE Summer Chore Chart Printables are available for Download:
Summer Chore Chart Printables 2020_DOWNLOAD
Do you also make your kids take responsibilities around the house and have them learn during their summer break? Because I don’t want to be labelled from a nag to a strict mum. And my husband claims (yes, you heard that right) that I’m making our poor girl ‘work’ during the holidays. So, let me know what you think in the comments. 🙂