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How to Make a Dry Erase Toddler Chore Chart

by Ivy B

Ready to put your eager helpers to work? Check out how to make this DIY dry erase toddler chore chart.  Just want to print and go? Grab a free printable toddler chore chart with pictures!

After dealing with a bit of behavior issues with my three year old, I was feeling run down and enslaved.  By the time my husband came home from work, I was at the end of my rope with the kid.  I simply wanted to run from the house to return when she went off to college.  Sure, I’d miss the good times, but I wasn’t feeling like there were too many of them.

Finally, I’d had enough and knew something had to change.  I decided that I no longer wanted to hear “I want” and the ensuing tantrums when things didn’t go her way.  From now on, she needed to earn things.  I discussed with my husband my idea that she needed to earn the coins she was taking to bed every night, and we decided that we would tie in her behavior to learn to be responsible and respectful of us.  Most importantly, I wanted a FREE toddler chore chart that I could customize.  I admit, I don’t like paying for things if I don’t have to.  So, I created a chore chart for toddlers.  Then, I printed it at home and turned it into a dry erase chart, seeing as how I’m in love with making dry erase activity books.

DIY dry erase chore chart for toddlers OR snag a free toddler chore chart printable with pictures with email newsletter signup www.sahmplus.com
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Coming Up With the Dry Erase Chore Chart for Toddlers

After much thought, I decided on a few chores that weren’t hygiene related, as those need to be done without monetary incentive.  I’m not sure why most people believe a toddler chore chart should include hygienic activities.  Additionally, I found that giving a toddler chores early on becomes a huge sanity saver when trying to manage housekeeping.

Together, hubby and I devised a monetary reward system for the chores.  At the time, we wanted her behavior to be tied to the money she was earning, we decided generally how and when we would take away her earnings.  We give her check-marks through the day with a task completion and tally up the coins before bed.  Behavioral issues lead to loss of money throughout the day.

Implementing the chore/reward system went  “well” the first day.  By well, I mean that the first night, she lost all her coins for being disobedient and testy.  She went to bed the first night without a single coin, then proceeded to lose story time, and finally lost signing and cuddling time.  She learned from that first night that we were no longer messing around with her attitude, and that it was going to effect more than just mommy and daddy.  Surprisingly, because we had a decent plan set into action, I also had the least frustrating night for myself.  I finally had something to give and take away as a result of her good and bad behaviors!

Our DIY dry erase chore chart for toddlers; a toddler chore chart printable with pictures
*Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included in this post.  Making a purchase after clicking my clicks may earn me a small commission, which helps me to continue running this blog and bring you fresh, new content.Let’s get on to the chore chart making!  These steps will help you to make a chore chart for your child, which is appropriate and personalized for your child(ren).

Creating Your Printable Toddler Chore Chart

1. Decide on the chores you feel appropriate for your child.

At three, I decided my child was capable of making her bed, assisting with laundry (sorting and/or folding), putting her dishes by the sink, picking up her toys, putting away her books, and helping with dinner (she asks to help most nights anyway).  These are great chores for toddlers.

2. Open an MS Word document and create a table.

Create a table in Microsoft Word when you’re ready to start working on your toddler chore chart!

1 column for the chores themselves and 7 more for each day of the week.  I had 7 rows which included the title row and 6 chore rows.  To insert a table, click on the INSERT tab, then click TABLE.  Select a 7 row x 8 column table (or as many rows as you need). You can resize these after selecting images.  NOTE: Be sure to set your page orientation to LANDSCAPE for best results.

DIY dry erase toddler chore chart - insert table

INSERT –> Table 7 Rows x 8 Columns

 

Your table will look like this:

toddler chore chart DIY, creating a table in Word

What your chart looks like at first

3.  Create Headings.

In the first row, type in your headings.  Here, I chose to center and bold the column titles.

dry erase toddler chore chart headings

4.  Find Images for your Toddler Chore Chart.

Now, it’s time to find some images for your chart.  These are great visuals for your little learner to help understand their chores.  You may or may not decide to include a short word description of the chore in addition to the picture.  For now, I’m leaving that part off.  To insert images into each cell, click in the first cell you wish to fill.  Click the INSERT tab, then click Online Pictures.  Here, you will search for an image using Bing Image Search.  You’ll see my first chore will be “Make Bed” so that’s what I typed.  You may have to use a combination of search terms to find an image you like best.  Repeat these steps to find images for all the chores.

Search for chore chart images for toddler chore chart DIY

Searching for chore chart images

Completed Toddler Chore Chart in Microsoft Word

Here’s what my chore chart looks like with images.  Of course, yours may look a bit different, depending on the images you chose.  Note: I had to re-size images to try to get the rows somewhat even.:

Printable toddler chore chart image to make dry erase for chart for toddlers

5. Put some finishing touches on the chart before printing.

Add a line at the top of the toddler chore chart with your child’s name, widen the columns and center the table on the page, etc.  Do whatever makes your toddler chore chart special and personal to you!

6.  Print & insert into a smooth page protector.

I recommend [easyazon_link identifier=”B0006HVE34″ locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”ivsvabasaan0a-20″ cart=”y” cloak=”n” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Avery Diamond Clean Super Heavy Weight Sheet Protectors[/easyazon_link] to cover the toddler chore chart, making it both dry erase and protected.

[easyazon_image align=”center” cart=”y” cloak=”n” height=”500″ identifier=”B0006HVE34″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://www.sahmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/51Wmbcpd9TL.jpg” tag=”ivsvabasaan0a-20″ width=”413″]

7. Use Dry Erase Markers to check off chores.

To complete the dry erase toddler chore chart, we use [easyazon_link identifier=”B007VEPC4C” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”ivsvabasaan0a-20″ cart=”y” cloak=”n” localize=”y” popups=”n”]dry erase markers like those from Crayola[/easyazon_link].  Check off or draw smiley faces when your toddler completes a chore.

[easyazon_image align=”center” cart=”y” cloak=”n” height=”500″ identifier=”B007VEPC4C” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://www.sahmplus.com/wp-content/uploads/61AQTyQuA2BL.jpg” tag=”ivsvabasaan0a-20″ width=”500″]

2016 UPDATE: We’ve since updated to the Melissa and Doug magnetic responsibility chart.  It’s still customize-able for most needs, and includes extra blank magnets for adding your own, less common chores.  Now that she’s 5, we’ve also devised a separate system to deal with behavior issues.  We now use the consequence and reward jar system to punish for bad behavior and reward for the good.  She can still earn her coins for the day by doing her chores, and we don’t pile negative on to the bad days by also taking away coins for the work she completed (unless her consequence slip happens to determine otherwise).

FREE Printable Chore Chart for Toddlers

Not interested in recreating the wheel?  Or you just like my chore chart?  Sign up for my newsletter for your own (editable) toddler chore chart printable with pictures for FREE download!

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Learn how to make a dry erase chore chart for toddlers in just a few minutes. Prefer a free toddler chore chart with pictures printable? Just sign up for my emails! #toddlers #toddler #chores #chorechart #dryerase #dryerasechorechart #momlife #moms #printables #howto #diy

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6 free toddler chore chart printables. Easily start your toddler on chores with one of these toddler chore charts. | www.sahmplus.comToddler crying - Please don't judge me ... I'm a toddler mom! Life with toddlers is both magical and terrifying. I'm bound to look crazy and I see your judgemental stares. | www.sahmplus.comShould we still be using physical chore charts to manage a child's chores? Learn how to manage chore in the digital age. Chore Check is a great way to manage chores electronically while teaching children valuable lessons in responsibility. Even better, you have the option to pay them with a reloadable prepaid debit card to spend their allowance. via www.sahmplus.com
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Inez July 6, 2018 - 6:13 pm

I’ve been thinking about implementing something like this, too. We’ve been having our fair share of behavioral issues. I love the dry erase idea to save paper!

Ivy B July 9, 2018 - 3:04 pm

Dry erase is wonderful for the little ones, that’s for sure!

Ivy B July 9, 2018 - 3:07 pm

Dry erase is a great option for little ones. I did a dry erase activity book too. I need to convince my daughter to use it more now that she’s older. She’s going through paper like crazy!

Toni July 17, 2018 - 12:39 pm

We recently implemented Chore charts at our house with a points system to earn rewards! It took my kids a few days to realize that we weren’t kidding and their points could disappear! I love the dry erase idea for a toddler!

Ivy B July 22, 2018 - 12:09 pm

We do a consequence and reward jar system based on behavior … it’s rough at first but works well. Our chore chart is completely separate from that system so my daughter learns to work for things she wants.
Really, dry erase for these kids of things is awesome. Saves us on paper or massive DIY projects to create a custom board lol.

Kim July 22, 2018 - 12:09 am

I love visual charts for little ones. It is a great reminder and gives them ownership of their tasks!

Ivy B July 22, 2018 - 12:04 pm

Exactly!

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