7 Ingenious Ways to use Chore Cards

How to use chore cards

Here at NEATLINGS we sell Chore Charts and Chore Cards. 

When launching my products only a few short months ago I decided to also offer the chore decks for sale separately. I thought that if someone preferred a different color combination or needed a replacement deck then they would have that option.

To my surprise many people were purchasing the chore ​​cards that had never purchased the 

NEATLINGS chore chart. I was interested and wondered what they used them for? So I started to search and although I could find many chore cards available for sale there was rarely an explanation on how to use them.

So I started my search and compiled a list of 7 ingenious ways to use chore cards.

1. Chore Cards with 3 Ring Binders

This has got to be one of my favorites!

Use 3 ring binders and trading card inserts to create an easy to organize chore system for your family!

Ever wonder how people use chore cards. Check out this list of 7 ingenious ways to make chore cards work for you!

You could use one page for chores that your child needs to do everyday such as self-care chores and then make pages for household chores for each day of the week. The 3 ring binders would store on a counter top very nicely.

​If you have more than one child you could even change the weekly household chore pages from one child's binder to another child's to rotate the chores.

The trading card inserts hold cards that are 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Which is a perfect size for NEATLINGS chore cards.

I had some unused 3 ring binders around the house so I used them but if you need some fresh ones here is awesome deal on a set of four - 1 inch customizable binders from Amazon Prime. Binders are available in both white or black and then you can put in colorful inserts so that each child has their own favorite color yet the whole set will look fabulously coordinated and organized.

Next I picked up these awesome trading card page inserts from Amazon. They come in a pack of 10. 

Here is the link Trading Card Pages on Amazon Prime.

2. Chore Cards with Photo Books

These cute little photo books make  a great way to create small chore books for your children. You can fit two NEATLINGS Chore Cards in 4x6 photo slot.

This is a super cute idea however I did find that the chore cards would slide around in the photo card space. So this idea may not be as practical.

There is even a back pocket on these where a child could store their reward tickets.

I picket these cute books up at Walmart at their photo counter. There were only a few left. The price was about $2.49 each.

3. Chore Cards with Push Pin Boards

Here is a clever way to create your own chore board with a push pin board.

I used small clips and pushpins to make this one work.

Admittedly this one would be a little more challenging to get the cards on the board and difficult for little hands but it does make for a nice and organized display.

I know it is impossible to see but the big sign that says chores has an overview of the chore system and expectations. I think it is important to have clear rules. Things that you might put here are that you must complete all your assigned chores before selecting a bonus chores or if you complete all your chores then you earn double tickets. Then the smaller list to the right is titled "Family Store" and is simply a detailed list of what a child could purchase with their earned tickets. For example pick what for dinner for 4 tickets, a play date might cost 10 tickets but a sleepover 20. This list should be filled with a variety of things at different price points that would help motivate your child.

4. Chore Cards with Magnets

Fast and easy. Use magnets to attach chores to the refrigerator. Simply have your children turn them around when complete.

5. Chore Cards as Mail

OK so this one I don't have a picture of. I tried but it really looked bad with the extreme reflection that was given off every time but this is a super easy one!

Super Cute! Use small toy mailboxes to deliver your children's chores right to their mailbox. Be sure to put the flag up when they have mail!

You could even have your own mailbox where your children could return their chore cards when completed. Then you could take the completed chores and return earned reward ticket cards to their mailbox.

This could be a fun system. Instead of saying "you have chores to do". You could say "you got mail". It would be fun twist.

6. Chore Cards on Ribbon

I only had one of these mailboxes around the house. One of my daughters received it around Valentines Day with a book order. However, you could check craft stores like Micheal's or Jo Ann Fabrics for cute little mailboxes.

Use badge protectors to place one chore card in each slot and create a list of chores that your children can carry around like a necklace as they work through their list of chores.

This idea is one I had seen across the internet a few times. Some parents laminated the cards and then punched a hole in them and connected them with a lanyard. 

I used badge holders that I purchased on Amazon then ran a long ribbon through the top slot on each of the badge holders to string them together. I made these long enough so that they could be worn around the neck with ease and a handy reference what chores a child needed to do next.

​If you go this route be sure to check the sizes of the badge holder and what size cards they will hold. I found that there are many different sizes available.

7. Chore Cards with a Pocket Chart

So of course this one is my favorite! This is what we use at our home! (except we use the purple, pink. light blue self-care decks)

I created this chore chart and the chore cards. So I am a bit biased but really truly it is the best chore chart system ever! It has made such a huge impact on our family that I wanted to share it with other parents so I decided to start NEATLINGS!

Click here to check out our awesome chore cards and chore charts!

We currently have ours set up differently than what is in the picture. We've set our chart up many different ways but here is how we do it today...

• 1st pocket has label for child's name and earned ticket cards in the slot behind that.
• 2nd-5th pocket for Self-Care chores that each child is working on. (these are chores that they typically do not get paid for. I will sometimes pay a little for things like practice instrument or exercise. Things that I really want to encourage them to do for of.)
• 6th pocket for Household Responsibility chore (This is a chore that they do not get paid for. It is there contribution to the household.) 
• 7th and 8th pockets are for Work for Ticket Chores. Chores that they can earn rewards tickets for that are set aside for them.
• TOP LEFT 2 pockets we use for BONUS chores. I use both pockets simply because it is more symmetrical and I like the look better.

The pocket chart panels are even configurable. You can rearrange the panels and come up endless ways to arrange this chore chart. When the chore routine gets old - simply change it up. Click for more Chart Configuration Ideas!

It is really the best job chart ever!!!

Do you have a clever way to use chore cards? Leave a comment and let us know! We would love to hear your ideas...