Getting kids to do chores is something that all moms struggle with. Except maybe moms of alien kids who were born just loving to work. 😉 I’ve tried many systems over the years. Some have worked, some haven’t. The problem with most of them is that they took up tons of space, and didn’t really fit in with my decor. Those big huge chore charts stick out like a sore thumb. Bugs me. I finally came up with a system that has been functional, but also looks pretty. Score!
I decided to work up a tutorial for all you moms of non-alien kids that are looking for a “chore chart” system that can be adapted to look good in any room in the house. And you don’t even have to spend a lot of money. Woohoo! Here’s to a summer filled with kids that are just thrilled to do chores. OK, maybe not. But a girl can dream. 
Chore Chart Jars Tutorial
Supplies: Empty cans or jars (I used formula cans and empty tootsie roll bank containers) Jute
Burlap Scraps
Tags- purchased or homemade
Hot glue
Start with whatever empty jars you have on hand. I am using a formula can for this demo. 
Empty nut containers work great as well. Wash out the inside of the container and wipe it dry. Most of the time they are actually made of cardboard, so don’t leave them soaking in a sinkfull of water or they will fall apart! After your container is cleaned out and dry, remove the label. 
Now grab your hot glue gun and some jute. Apply small amounts of hot glue along the bottom edge of the container and wind jute around it. You want the bottom edge attached very securely so it doesn’t unravel. 
After you have the bottom on securely, you can just start winding the jute around. I didn’t even used hot glue in the middle. It goes much faster that way! When you get to the top of the container, start attaching the top two rows with hot glue like you did on the bottom. When you’re done it should look something like this: 
Next I added a strip of burlap around the middle. I attached it in the back with a little bit of hot glue. 
I had some tags in my scrapbooking stash, and I used a sharpie marker to write on the front of one of them. Then I attached it to the front with, you guessed it. . . hot glue. 
Then I repeated the entire process on four smaller cans, one for each of my boys. I added a monogram to the front so they all know which jar is theirs. 
Next I grabbed a few OK, a LOT of popsicle sticks. We’ve got a lotta chores that need to be done around here. LOL! On each stick I wrote a chore, and how much money can be earned by completing it. Some are super easy, others are more of a challenge. I put all of the sticks in the jar labeled “Chores”. 
Here’s how it works at our house. You can totally adapt it for your kids. Every week my boys have to clean their own room and one main room in the house, plus a bathroom (just the three oldest). We don’t pay them for those, we just let them eat and sleep here. 😉 So this system is a way for them to earn a little extra money. Every week they have to choose at least four sticks from the jar. They can choose as many extra as they want, but they must do the minimum. After they complete a job, they move the stick to their own jar. At the end of the week, we pay them for all the jobs in their jars. Easy peasy.
One thing I have liked about this system is that it is easy for me to add or remove jobs as they are needed. And this system doesn’t take up a lot of space like some of the ones I’ve tried in the past. Got any great tips for getting kids to do chores at your house?
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I would love to do something like this, HOWEVER… I know my kids really well and I am 100% certain they would be putting other people’s popsicle sticks in their own cans. 😛 I couldn’t even do a sticker chore chart with them cause they were peeling off the stickers other people had earned and trying to stick them in their own row. 😛
Cute idea though! Nice job 🙂
Terrific idea! I don’t have children but I can think of other ways that this idea can be used! 🙂
yay! I have been on the hunt for some good Chore ideas! This is cute, and functional! THANKS a TON!
I SO remember this growing up-Mom had a “job jar”! Same concept–and somehow it was more fun picking things to do randomly–and being rewarded on the spot once it was finished! Chuckle-I sometimes apply this concept still when there’s a large project looming-breaking it down into smaller pieces helps! THanks for sharing! Blessings, Sharon
I love this idea! I have three kids that need some chores. LOL
What a clever idea… I am so doing this. I’d love for you to share it at my link party… AWESOME!
I’d love to share it at your linky party Desiree, but I can’t find it. What’s the link?
Great idea! I love that it looks so nice that you don’t mind it sitting on the shelf either! 🙂
I would LOVE for you to share these at my For the Kids link party! Come join the fun!!
sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-kids-friday-12.html
awesome idea….i’m going to do it with my kiddies!
I LOVE this idea. Wish my kids were old enough to use it. Great idea to put the amount to earn right on the stick to motivate them. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!
Great idea Kara! I love that they have freedom to do as much as they want. Not sure I could afford to do it at my house- the kids like $ too much! 😉
xoxo,
Amy
This is GREAT! ha ha my mom used to tell us the same thing-“we feed you and give you bed, that’s your “payment” for cleaning your room!” But this is a perfect way to keep them motivated without it being overwhelming. Love it! Following you now, I need more good ideas to keep my kids in line:).
Angela
That is such a great idea. I love the chore ideas too. We don’t do allowances around here either, but I like the idea of having a set way for them to earn extra money. The jars turned out really cute.
COOL Idea! Thanks for posting!
Thanks Katey!
What a cute idea! So much better than writing it all down every week.
These turned out really cute. I had some cans that I was going to wrap in jute – but I love how you added the burlap and stuff – so cute!