Emily ParkerBy Emily Parker

Updated November 2026

A word chore chart template gives you a printable, editable weekly schedule in Microsoft Word, so you can assign tasks to each family member without buying anything new. In this guide, you will build a clean chart with a task column, a day-by-day grid, and check boxes, then customize it for your kids and save it for future weeks. The whole process takes about 30 to 45 minutes the first time and far less after that.

Why a Word Chore Chart Template Works for Busy Families

Most families do not need a fancy app to get chores done. They need a schedule that is visible, easy to update, and simple enough that kids can read it at a glance. A word chore chart template fits that need. You can print it on the family printer, post it on the fridge, and reprint a fresh copy every Sunday. If your schedule changes often, you can edit one file instead of rewriting everything by hand.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 7 Best Dry Erase Board Chore Charts for Busy Families (2026).

Word also makes it easy to share a chart with a co-parent or a babysitter by email. Because the file is familiar to most adults, there is no learning curve. If you are still deciding between formats, you may want to compare options like the Chore Chart Template Editable: 7 Steps to Build One Your Family Will Use, which covers editable layouts in more depth.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather these items before opening Word:

  • A list of every recurring chore in your home, with a rough time estimate for each
  • The names of each person who will be assigned tasks, and their ages
  • A decision on whether you are tracking daily, weekly, or both
  • A color scheme or simple style choice (two or three colors is plenty)
  • A printer and a few sheets of standard paper or cardstock

If you plan to print for several children, it helps to think about whether you want one chart per child or one shared family chart. Both work. A shared chart is easier to glance at, while individual charts are better for younger kids who need a simpler view.

Step-by-Step: Build the Chart in Microsoft Word

Step 1: Set Up the Page

Open a blank document and switch the page to landscape orientation. Go to Layout, then Orientation, then Landscape. Landscape gives you more horizontal room for days of the week. Set margins to 0.5 inches on all sides using Layout then Margins then Narrow.

Step 2: Insert a Table

Click Insert, then Table, and choose a grid. For a standard weekly chart, you need one header row and one column for chore names, plus seven columns for the days. That means a table with 8 columns. Add rows equal to the number of chores you want to track, plus one header row. Most families find 6 to 10 chore rows is a good range.

Step 3: Label the Columns and Rows

Type the days across the top: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun. In the first column, list your chores: make bed, feed pet, empty dishwasher, take out trash, and so on. Keep chore names short and action-based so a young child can understand them.

Step 4: Add Check Boxes

To make checking off tasks easy, insert a symbol in each day cell. Click Insert, then Symbol, and choose an empty box (☐). Copy and paste it into each cell. Alternatively, use a simple letter or a dot if you prefer.

Step 5: Format for Readability

Select the header row and apply bold text with a light background shade through the Table Design tab. Set the font size to 14 points or larger for chore names so they are readable from across the room. Center the check boxes in each cell. Light shading on alternating rows makes it easier to follow across the page.

Step 6: Assign Chores and Add a Name Field

Create a title at the top, such as “The Smith Family Chore Chart” or “Maya’s Weekly Chores.” Add a line for the week’s start date. If you are assigning different chores to different people, make a separate table for each child rather than mixing names in one grid. This keeps the chart clean and avoids confusion about who is responsible for what.

Step 7: Save as a Template

Click File, then Save As, and choose Word Template (*.dotx) from the file type menu. Name it something clear like “Weekly Chore Chart Template.” Now every time you need a new week, open the template, use Save As to make a dated copy, and reset the check boxes. Your original stays untouched.

Sub-Step Tips for Customizing Your Template

Adjusting for Different Age Groups

For children under seven, use pictures alongside words. You can insert small clip art icons into the chore name cells through Insert then Pictures. For older kids and teens, you can add a column for time estimates or a “points earned” column. The same structure works across ages with small changes.

Creating a Monthly View

If weekly is too short, copy the table and expand it to 31 columns, or create four weekly tables on one page. The Monthly Chore Chart Template: 7 Steps to a Setup Your Family Will Use article walks through a monthly layout in detail if you want a longer view.

Building a Rotating Schedule

Some families rotate chores every week so no one gets stuck with the trash for a year. To do this, keep a master list of chores and move names down one row each week. This takes a little planning, but it is worth it for families with several children. A related approach is covered in Rotating Chore Chart Template: 7 Steps to a Setup That Keeps Everyone Working.

Making a Printable Copy for Several Kids

To print multiple charts at once, create one page per child by copying the table and changing the name at the top. Use Insert then Page Break between each one. Print two-sided if your printer supports it, or print each child’s chart on its own sheet and post them side by side.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Too many chores on one chart. More than 10 rows overwhelms younger kids. Split into two charts if needed.
  • Vague chore names. “Clean up” means different things to different people. Write “pick up toys from living room floor” instead.
  • Forgetting to save as a template. If you only save a copy, you will rebuild the chart every week. Save the .dotx file once and reuse it.
  • Using small fonts. If the chart is hard to read from a standing position in the kitchen, kids will ignore it.
  • Never updating the chart. Chores change as kids grow. Revisit the list every few months.
  • Skipping a reward or consequence plan. A chart works best when it connects to something the family already values, whether that is screen time, allowance, or privileges.

Tips for Keeping the Chart Working Long-Term

  1. Post the chart at kid eye level, near where the chores happen.
  2. Walk through it together on Sunday evening to set the week’s plan.
  3. Keep a dry-erase marker nearby if you laminate the printed page, so kids can check off tasks without reprinting.
  4. Keep the template file in a shared cloud folder so both parents can make updates.
  5. Review what is working after two weeks and adjust chore names or assignments.

A few supplies make a printed chart last longer and easier to use. None are required, but they are helpful for busy households.

  • Laminating sheets for a reusable chart. A laminated printout lets kids check off tasks with dry-erase markers each week, so you print once instead of every Sunday. View on Amazon
  • Dry-erase markers with fine tips. Thin-tip markers fit inside small check boxes better than thick ones. View on Amazon
  • Magnetic clip frames for the fridge. A clear magnetic frame keeps the printed chart visible and easy to swap out when you update the template. View on Amazon

FAQ

Can I make a word chore chart template on a Mac?

Yes. Microsoft Word for Mac follows nearly the same steps. The menu names may appear in slightly different places, but the table tools and the Save As template option are available.

How do I make the check boxes bigger?

Select the cells with the check box symbols and increase the font size, usually to 16 or 18 points. You can also widen the day columns so the larger symbols fit without wrapping.

Can I use a word chore chart template for adults too?

Yes. Many couples use the same layout to split household tasks like cooking, laundry, and yard work. Just replace child names with adult names and adjust the chore list.

Should I use a template or a free printable instead?

A Word template is better if you want to customize often. A downloadable printable is faster if you want something ready to use right away with no editing. Either approach works well for most families.

How many chores should a young child have?

Many families start with two to four age-appropriate tasks per day for children around five to seven, then add more as kids get older. Adjust based on how your child responds and how much time the tasks take.

What if my kids ignore the chart?

Check whether the chores are clear, whether the chart is visible, and whether there is a consistent consequence or reward. Walk through it together for the first two weeks before expecting independent use.

Can I share the Word file with my partner or babysitter?

Yes. Save the template to a shared drive or email the .dotx file. Anyone with Word can open it, make a copy, and update the chart without changing your original.

How often should I update the template?

Review it every few months, or whenever a child reaches a new age, starts a new activity, or your household routine changes. Small tweaks keep the chart relevant.

Conclusion

A word chore chart template is one of the simplest tools a busy family can use. Build it once in Microsoft Word, save it as a reusable template, and update it weekly in minutes. Keep chore names clear, make the chart easy to read, and tie it to something your kids care about. With a little consistency, the chart will do the reminding for you.

Ready to choose one?

Emily Parker

About Emily Parker

Emily Parker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our busy-mom life guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.