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Parenting

Make Chores Fun with the Best Chore App for Kids

Updated
June 18, 2024
Table of Contents

    Make Chores Fun with the Best Chore App for Kids 

    Chores for kids aren't about getting help around the house. Research shows that there are benefits to giving children chores, like prosocial behavior and self-efficacy. Giving children chores helps them learn critical skills they'll use later in life. For example, organization, time management, a strong work ethic, and independence. It also provides kids the chance to succeed and get praise.

    Parents don't always know where to start when assigning chores or how to encourage kids to finish chores if it's something they struggle with. Chore apps can help kids stick to household tasks. Specific apps, like Joon, can also help kids get started on tasks, incentivize tasks, and provide reminders. So, what should you know?

    Let's first discuss how to set age-appropriate chores and other important considerations. Then, we'll discuss ten fun and easy chores for kids, tips for making chores fun, and what makes Joon one of the best chore apps for kids.

    Setting Age-Appropriate Chores

    Kids can help out in small ways as young as about three years old. Make sure that the chores you give your child are age-appropriate. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology (AACAP) has suggestions for appropriate chores for each age group. 

    In addition to age, parents may consider things like the amount of time a chore requires and whether or not it can be a consistent part of a child's routine. Chores don't have to be overwhelming to make a positive impact.

    10 Fun and Easy Chores for Kids

    Whether you have one or multiple children, here are some fun and easy chores for kids. We'll also talk a little bit about what ages the following chores might be appropriate for.

    Sorting laundry

    Sorting laundry is an important skill for kids because it's something that everyone needs to know how to do once they're an adult. Kids can start sorting laundry once they are old enough to understand colors, so this is a good chore to give a younger child, especially if you can be by their side.

    Setting the table

    You can teach your child how to set the table at about age 5. This can be one of their regular chores if you choose. Usually, setting the table doesn't take a long time, and it can feel rewarding because it's a task with a visual end result. 

    Watering plants

    Early elementary school children can enjoy activities like watering plants or gardening. Teach your child how much water to give each plant and when. This is another task you might want to supervise.

    Feeding pets

    Kids can feed their own pets or family pets. Especially if it's a pet that they wanted or that is a part of their own, it's integral that they have responsibility for and are able to take care of it. Instruct your child when and how much food to give the pet. If your child wants a pet and getting one is within your family's capacity, it can be an opportunity to teach kids to be responsible for something they want.

    Making their bed

    Many kids start making their bed at about age 4-5. This is an example of an age-appropriate responsibility, as long as your expectations are appropriate for your child's age group.

    Dusting

    Kids as young as 2-3 can start dusting. This is a good example of a chore for little kids because it's simple. Give verbal praise readily and easily as your kids complete this kind of chore or any other.

    Sweeping

    Most families prefer consistent chores that are a regular part of a child's daily or weekly schedule. Kids aged 6-7, or even a little bit younger, can be assigned tasks such as sweeping the floor on specific days of the week.

    Organizing toys

    Kids can start putting toys away as young as 2-3. As long as your expectations are age-appropriate, this is a good chore for little kids because it focuses on responsibility for something that belongs to them.

    Emptying the dishwasher

    Kids aged about 7 to 9 are almost always ready to complete tasks like emptying the dishwasher. If they get off track, reminders can help. It's pretty common for kids and adults with ADHD to get off track due to distractions during this type of task. 

    Helping with meal prep

    Preparing meals together is a great way to teach kids skills like cooking and even math. Most kids like to feel included, and it's something you can do together, which is a bonus. This is an example of a family chore. You might also have a child help write a grocery list to promote writing skills.

    Tips for Making Kids Chores Enjoyable

    Reward kids for their hard work, and praise effort or engagement in chores frequently. Considering your child's specific needs and factors like age, here are some ways to make chores an enjoyable part of family life.

    Creating a chore chart

    Chore charts with stickers are helpful for younger kids who are just learning to complete household chores. Parents can combine chore charts with incentives. Families with one child or multiple children sometimes use a family calendar where parents have tasks, too, so that kids don't feel singled out.

    Offering rewards or incentives

    Many families don't connect a child's chores to their standard weekly allowance because they prefer to use allowance payments separately as a mode of teaching money management. Here are some examples of chore rewards you might use instead. 

    • Chores payments or a bonus on their weekly allowance.
    • Small toys or items.
    • A savings jar.

    A reward system that helps kids save up for bigger rewards may be a better fit for older kids. This is called a token system, where kids get points or tokens for individual chore completion until they have enough points, marks, or tokens to redeem them for something larger.

    Making it a family activity

    Family chores may increase willingness and help kids get chores done. Doing chores together gives you the opportunity to act as a role model, and an added benefit is that you get to spend time together. For example, family members may clean the kitchen together, and each person might have a specific assigned task.

    Using Joon for Chore Tracking

    Joon is an excellent task management and parenting tool. It's also a great way to make chores fun for kids. In fact, 90% of kids who use Joon complete all of their tasks. You can pair Joon with other chore rewards and techniques or use it alone. Created for kids aged 6-12+ with ADHD and related disorders, any family can use Joon.

    Joon Chore App

    The Joon App offers positive reinforcement and motivation for chore completion. It also helps you and your child track task or chore progress so that you and they can see what's left to do. Here's what makes Joon one of the best chore apps for kids.

    Description of app features

    Joon is more than just a chore management app. Features of Joon include but aren't limited to the following:

    • Parents can add their own tasks or choose from 500+ pre-loaded tasks.
    • New rewards are added frequently so that kids stay motivated.
    • Reminders and notifications for parents and kids. 

    You can include as many of your child's daily chores, tasks, or routines as you want to in your child's task list. 

    Benefits for Children

    You can use Joon for one child or multiple children. Joon can benefit kids by promoting independence, time management, task initiation, and chore completion. Like chores, using Joon can boost self-esteem. Some parents even say it has improved their parent-child relationship.

    How to set up Joon 

    Parents sign up first by downloading the Joon Parent App in the App Store. Kids connect with a separate app called Joon Pet Game, which is child-safe and available on a wide variety of devices. Once you sign up, you can make a task list for their child. When kids complete items on their task, or "quest," list, they get rewards that allow them to continue playing the game, care for a virtual pet, and get other in-app rewards.

    Click here to start your 7-day free trial now.

    Conclusion

    Giving children chores teaches responsibility and creates habits that'll help them care for their own home, manage obligations, and feel capable later in life. Using Joon increases independence and task completion in kids by using ADHD-friendly techniques all kids can benefit from. Adding your child's chore list to Joon aids chore tracking, helping children manage, remember, and finish chore assignments. Parents should involve their children in age-appropriate chores to aid their child's development and lifelong success.

    About

    Dr. Joe Raiker, PhD

    Joe Raiker, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive training and clinical experience in the principles of behavior modification and cognitive restructuring (i.e., CBT). He provides assessment and psychotherapeutic services to patients of all ages, primarily via Telehealth, including treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Raiker also provides Clinical Supervision for Therapy and Assessment Services at South Florida Integrative Medicine.

    About

    Dr. Joe Raiker, PhD

    Joe Raiker, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive training and clinical experience in the principles of behavior modification and cognitive restructuring (i.e., CBT). He provides assessment and psychotherapeutic services to patients of all ages, primarily via Telehealth, including treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Raiker also provides Clinical Supervision for Therapy and Assessment Services at South Florida Integrative Medicine.