WFMW: Candy Chores

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During my kids' summer break, I try to make doing extra chores fun by offering a candy incentive.

These extra chores do not include their regular-because-you-live-here-chores like: making beds, cleaning rooms, helping clean up after dinner, and picking up after themselves.

Also, these extra chores are usually chores they are asked to do throughout the year without a reward. With the summer candy incentive I don't ever have to ask, in fact I have to limit the amount of chores they can do. (Candy is expensive and bad for you!)

So, here's what I do:

I create a separate list for each child. (No fighting over who does what chore, etc.)

I hang them up on fridge or dry erase board.

I assign each child a colored pencil. They use this colored pencil to make an "X" next to each chore they've completed.

They can each do 3 Candy Chores per day.

They must complete all of the listed chores before they can repeat them. This way they are not doing the same chore over and over again. Some of the chores are more difficult and more time consuming than others.

I know it's hard to read from the picture, but some of the chores I have listed for my 8 and 10 year old boys are things like: sweep driveway, sweep out garage, straighten game closet, wash arcadia door, disinfect all doorknobs, vacuum living room, vacuum entire upstairs, hose down outside table and chairs . . . just to name a few.

For my 4 yr. old daughter I have listed things like: wash fridge doors, wash cabinets, fold towels, empty bathroom trash cans, etc. (She uses lavender spray to clean so it's completely safe, and I don't have to worry if it gets on her skin.)

I also include an "other" on each list. This can be used for any other extra chore they do not have on the list.

As for the candy in the jar: Currently we have Nerds, Blow Pops, Starbursts, and gum. I had to try and pick things I wouldn't be tempted to eat!!!!

I should also note that they don't always get to eat the candy right away. If they do a chore at 7 am, they can add a piece of candy to their collection and eat it after lunch. :)

Candy Chores work for me. To see a list of things that work for others, visit We are THAT Family.