My children are at wonderful ages. They are young enough to think helping with chores is fun, and they are old enough to start doing them without a lot of direction or intervention from an adult.
Mostly, because they are still little, the kids just need a subtle reminder of ways they can help around the house. I have been a little tired of repeating myself and feeling like the taskmaster this summer. So, I thought it was time to make a chore chart for each of my kids.
I scoured Pinterest looking for the perfect one. I saw printable ones, sticker charts, pocket charts, magnetic charts, and popsicle stick charts. I was not at all prepared for the options available and to be honest I was a little overwhelmed.
So, I took the best parts of all the ones that I saw around the internet, and made my own magnetic chore chart for each of the kids.
Here is how I did it.SUPPLIES
Metal Board (I found mine at JoAnn Fabrics)
Letter Stickers
Child’s Photo
Glass Beads with Flat Bottoms (JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels)
Mod Podge (Gloss or Matte finish)
Sponge Brush
Heavy Duty Magnets (Michaels)
Double Stick Tape
Hot Glue Gun with Glue
1 inch diameter circle punch (Creative Memories)
Pictures of various chores (Google Images) printed on card stock
Step 1: As Bella Karolyi would say, “Stick it!”
The first thing I focussed on was making the boards that the magnets would stick to. I found these adorable and colorful boards at JoAnn Fabrics. I liked them because of the small holes all around the edges that would make it easy for hanging them anywhere using some 3M hooks. Using some double stick tape, I secured a photo of my child to the board. Then, I added some large stickers with the kids’ initials and created two columns with the words “to do” and “done”
Step 2: Print it out!
This part was the hardest for me, but I did find some cute photos of chores that I liked. Once, I found images I liked, I printed a few trial pages to make sure they were the right size to be punched out. I printed on a medium to heavy weight paper because I thought it might be more durable, but honestly, I think regular paper would be fine. The chores I chose to include (FOR NOW) are Get Dressed, Make Bed, Clean Dishes, Pick Up Toys, Brush Teeth, Read a Book, and Be Kind. I thought they were all good reminders for my kids, and appropriate for their ages.Step 3: Cut and Paste (the old fashioned way)
Yes, I had to use actual scissors, a hole punch, and actual glue (Mod Podge) for this part of making the magnets. I used a one inch diameter hole punch and cut out the images.
Next, using Mod Podge I brushed the front side of the image with a thin layer.
I pressed the flat side of a glass bead to the image.
Next, I brushed another thin layer of Mod Podge to the back of the image, and let dry overnight.
STEP 4: Magnetize!
Once the Mod Podge was dry, I used a hot glue gun to attach the heavy duty magnets to the backs of the glass beads with the images.
Step 5: Admire your genius!
I was so impressed with how these turned out I took a few minutes to enjoy how awesome they are.
Step 6: Hang them up!
Since the magnetic boards I used already had holes, I was able to use two 3M hooks to hang them on the wall.
The kids already love them, and so do I! No more taskmaster!
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5 comments
Cute!
Thank you!
These are awesome! And applaud your use of a Bella Karolyi chart in a craft post. You are awesome. Maybe I'll just get videos of him yelling at gymnasts to motivate my older child to do her chores… Seriously, though, I think we're going to have to make one of these even if she isn't so little. Thanks!
So glad you like them (and the Bell Karolyi reference). They are good for any age, and might be easier for you because you can write words for the magnets instead of trying to find pictures. Your child is old enough to read on her own 😉
Take care,
Erin
Awesome idea! I need to do this – I've feeling like a taskmaster myself.