Summer Chores Can for Kids

The beginning of summer break means the beginning of summer chores at our house.  Over the years we’ve used many different methods for daily chore allotment among the kids and this summer we’re using another technique: a summer chores can for kids.  This system is quick to make and can be customized for the chores in your house … and it’s also super easy to implement.

To make this summer chores can, I washed an empty can, removed the label, and replaced it with a piece of colorful scrapbook paper.  I spelled out the word “chores” with large black letter stickers.

Then I used a Sharpie and wrote different chores on the ends of wooden craft sticks.

Each day, the kids will draw a craft stick and the chore written on the end is their chore for the day.  I’m hoping the “luck of the draw” method will lessen the negativity associated with picking up dog poop and other less endearing tasks {smile}.  I’ll probably use the can in my favor on occasion … on days when I need certain chores completed, those may be the only craft sticks in the can.

If you have a wide spread of ages in your house, the chores can easily be customized by marking the ends of the craft sticks with certain colors.  For example, chores designated for younger kids {watering plants, tidying a room} could be written on craft sticks with an orange end and chores for older kids could be written on craft sticks with a yellow end.  You can customize this idea to fit your situation.

In our house, some life-long jobs will still be expected throughout the summer regardless of the can {in our house, things like garbage removal, general tidying, and feeding of the dog are considered teamwork and not chores}.