Chore Sticks Tutorial

Making children's chore charts or job jars are not a new idea, but it seems that every few months, I'm trying something new to get the kids excited and motivated to get their chores done.  (I'm wishing I had someone doing the same for me, too! lol)  Well, we were due for a change with the move.  Our last round, we had a laminated list with clothespins to move down the charts.  They conveniently disappeared in the move (wishing the chores disappeared, too).

I decided to dig into my scrap piles and make some chore sticks.  Here's what you will need if you want to make them too:

• Mod Podge
• Popsicle sticks
• Paint brush
• Scrapbook paper scraps
• Paper Trimmer
• Nail file
• Ink pad
• ABC Stamps
• Jars of choice

Here's how you make them:

1. Cut strips of paper that are as wide as your sticks.  I used the little sticks, but you could use the tongue depressors, too.  I just used what I had on hand.
2. Using the Mod Podge and paint brush, brush the glue on the stick.  I got the kids to do this part for me!  This way, they had an interest in doing the chores later!  he! he! Aren't I sneaky?  Don't worry if it's not perfect or if they are too long for the stick, you can see here, it's too long!
3. Let them dry completely.  I know this is the hardest step.

4.  Using the nail file (it's the red one in the picture.), file off the excess paper.  No measuring needed for this project!

5.   Using the ink and stamps, stamp the chores you want on each stick.

6.   Paint a top coat using the Mod Podge to protect them.

Voila!  You have chore sticks!

Here are the basic sticks.  I used blue papers for my so and purple papers for my daughter.

Yes there are a lot of chores, but this is their entire morning for school included.   The activity sticks are for activity bags.  They get to pick a bag to work on for each one.  I figure if they do the activities first, oh well, at least they all get done.  The rule is they have to finish all the sticks to get lunch.  It works perfectly for timing if they aren't misbehaving.  We've had some close calls for missing lunch, but not quite!  Love it that everyone wants to eat!