As Needed chores are available whenever the work comes up.

They do not have a set time and can be completed as many times as necessary.

The family member completing each valid occurrence receives the configured S’mores value.

Use As Needed for unpredictable work. Use a scheduled chore when the family needs a clear owner and time.

Good As Needed Chores

Examples:

• Refill the pet water bowl
• Wipe the table after a spill
• Bring in a delivered package
• Take recycling out when full
• Help unload groceries
• Pick up unexpected clutter
• Water a plant that looks dry
• Handle an extra household need

These chores appear because the need exists, not because the clock reached a certain time.

No Fixed Time

An As Needed chore does not follow one due time.

It remains available according to the product setup so a family member can complete it when necessary.

This makes it different from:

• Daily chores
• Weekly chores
• Rotate chores
• One-time chores with a deadline

Do not add a fake schedule to work that is naturally unpredictable.

Unlimited Necessary Completions

An As Needed chore can be completed any number of times as necessary.

Example:

Chore: Refill pet water bowl

The bowl may need attention once today and twice tomorrow.

Each valid completion can be recorded.

The family should still define what counts as a real completion.

How S’mores Are Awarded

The person completing each valid occurrence receives the configured S’mores value.

Example:

Chore: Bring in a package
Value: 5 S’mores

Maya brings in one package and earns 5 S’mores.

Later, Noah brings in another package and earns 5 S’mores for that separate completion.

Each person’s earned amount can then be allocated between Save and Spend.

Choose the Participants

Decide who should be able to complete the chore.

Consider:

• Age
• Safety
• Skill
• Device access
• Whether the work is appropriate for everyone
• Whether one child may claim every occurrence

A pet-water chore may be available to several children.

A package chore may be limited to older family members.

Exact participant settings should be verified.

Define a Valid Completion

Because the chore can be completed repeatedly, the family rule must be clear.

Example:

Chore: Wipe the table after a spill

A valid completion means:

• A real spill or mess existed
• The child wiped the full area
• The table is dry
• The chore was not marked complete only to earn S’mores

Use instructions or Parent Approval where repeated completion needs review.

Prevent Duplicate or Unnecessary Completions

As Needed should reward real work—not repeated tapping.

Families can:

• Use clear instructions
• Set a modest S’mores value
• Turn on approval for selected chores
• Review activity in Weekly View
• Talk about honest completion
• Use separate chores for larger versions of the job

Example:

“Refill pet water bowl” may earn 5 S’mores.

“Clean and sanitize pet feeding area” should be a separate larger chore.

As Needed Versus Bonus

Both can be completed outside a fixed schedule, but the purpose is different.

As Needed

The work appears whenever the household need occurs and can be completed repeatedly.

Bonus

The work is optional extra earning beyond the normal responsibilities.

Example:

• As Needed: Refill pet water bowl when low.
• Bonus: Organize the pet-supply shelf.

As Needed Versus Individual

Use As Needed when any eligible person can respond to the need.

Use Individual when one person should own the responsibility.

If no one completes an As Needed chore because everyone waits, assign it to one person or use Rotate.

Use Approval Selectively

Parent Approval can help when:

• The chore has a higher value
• The same chore is completed many times
• The parent needs to confirm the work was necessary
• Quality matters

Approval may create too much work for small frequent chores.

Use the simplest setup that supports honest completion.

Review As Needed Activity

Use Weekly View or the appropriate chore activity to notice:

• How many times the chore was completed
• Who completed it
• Whether the need is real
• Whether the value feels fair
• Whether one person is claiming every occurrence
• Whether the chore should become scheduled

A chore completed at the same time every day may no longer be As Needed. It may belong on a regular schedule.

Common Questions

Does an As Needed chore have a due time?

No. It does not have a set time.

How many times can it be completed?

As many times as necessary.

Who receives the S’mores?

The family member completing each valid occurrence receives the configured value.

Can it use Parent Approval?

Yes, where supported.

Does it build a normal scheduled streak?

As Needed behavior is different from fixed scheduled chores. Confirm current streak presentation before publication.

What if children complete it when the work was not needed?

Clarify the rule, reduce the value, use approval, or change the chore type.

Best First Action

Create one As Needed chore for a real unpredictable household need.

Keep the S’mores value small and explain what counts as a valid completion.

Related Articles

• Chore Types in S’moresUp
• How Bonus Chores Work
• How to Assign Chores
• How Chores Work in S’moresUp