Summer Chore Challenge 2015

My kids have been nagging me for the last month, "When can we start the chore challenge again?  Can we start today?  Pleeeeeeeaase?!?!"

When your kids are begging to do chores, something's working well!

 Last year's Summer Chore Challenge was a resounding success, and I've finally finished getting this year's chart made and lists compiled, and I thought I'd go ahead and share them here in case anyone else is interested in trying something similar.  

Other than the specific tasks, I've kept the basic format of the challenge pretty much the same as last year (see last year's post for more specific details).  The focus is on training, so that once they've "passed off" a chore/task, I can be very confident that they've mastered that skill.The parameters for passing off each challenge are clearly outlined (I'm happy to email a copy of our check-off lists to anyone who'd like one).  

The kids can earn an ice-cream after passing off 3 tasks, a small toy (i.e. small Lego kit) after passing off 6 tasks, and their grand prize once they reach 10 tasks.  For our family, the grand prizes are chosen by the kid (none of my kids are sure yet of what they want), but generally fall in the $30-ish dollar range (they can choose the cash option).  If all the kids reach the grand prize by the end of summer, the whole family earns a party!

There are fourteen possible tasks for each kid, so if any of them complete more than the ten necessary to earn their grand prize, they earn a small reward for every subsequent task completed.  

Obviously, the lists of chores I've made are specific to my kids, and can be adapted as needed to any ages or child strengths/weaknesses.  Graham, at 2 1/2, is too young to participate, but I imagine he'll want to "help" as he sees his siblings working on their challenges.  

Aubree (age 9):

1. Sweep kitchen

2. Read 12 Parent Choice books

3. Vacuum downstairs

4. Clean toilets

5. Load dishwasher

6. Wash dishes

7. Wash kitchen floor

8. Disagree appropriately

9. Run 12 times (1+ miles)

10. Cook

11. Study scriptures 10 min/day for 30 days

12. Dust

13. Floss teeth

14. Keep room clean without reminders (30 days)

Bryce (age 7):

1. Memorize articles of faith

2. Sweep kitchen

3. Water plants/lawn

4. Read 8 Parent choice books

5. Empty dishwasher 

6. Run 1 mile without walking

7. Master Addition/subtraction facts

8. Tie shoes

9. Vacuum upstairs

10. Disagree appropriately 

11. Sweep bathrooms 

12. Finish Book of Mormon journal 

13. Clear table

14. Fold load of laundry

Thane (age 5):

1. Finish "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons"

2. Clean kitchen table

3. Run 3/4 mile without walking

4. Tie shoes

5. Vacuum stairs

6. Read 10 books

7. Disagree appropriately 

8. Collect/empty trash

9. Memorize 8 articles of faith 

10. Set table without complaining

11. Sweep front/back porch

12. Ride bike around cul-de-sac

13. Make bed

14. Wipe down outsides of cabinets