A useful chore tells the family member what to do, when to do it, and what finished looks like.

You can keep a simple chore simple or add schedules, reminders, instructions, approval, Photo Proof, and advanced chore types when the responsibility needs more structure.

Quick Start

1. Open the Chores area from a parent profile.
2. Create a new chore.
3. Give it a clear action-based name.
4. Choose the family member or chore type.
5. Add a S’mores value.
6. Set the schedule and due time.
7. Add reminders or instructions if needed.
8. Review the completion controls.
9. Save and check the first occurrence.

Exact button placement may differ between iOS and Android.

Start with a Clear Name

The chore name is the first instruction the child sees.

Use an action:

• Put laundry in the hamper
• Feed the dog
• Clear the dinner plate
• Pack the backpack
• Fold the towels
• Wipe the bathroom counter

Avoid vague names:

• Clean up
• Help more
• Be responsible
• Get ready
• Take care of your room

A good name makes the finish line visible before the child opens the full chore.

Choose a Category

Categories help organize chores into familiar groups.

Examples:

• Morning
• Evening
• School
• Pet Care
• Kitchen
• Laundry
• Bedroom
• Family Projects

Use a category your child understands.

Categories organize and display chores. They do not replace a clear owner, schedule, or instruction.

Choose Who Owns the Chore

For a normal Individual chore, choose one family member.

Use an advanced chore type when the ownership needs to work differently:

• Rotate when family members should take turns
• Collaborate when several people work together
• Compete when the first valid completion should earn the reward
• As Needed when the chore should be available whenever the need appears
• Bonus when the work is optional and extra

Start with Individual unless another type solves a clear family problem.

Set a S’mores Value

Choose a value that fits the normal effort.

A simple starting guide:

• 5 S’mores for a very small chore
• 10 S’mores for a regular daily chore
• 25 S’mores for a larger chore
• 50 S’mores or more for a special project

The value should connect to the Reward Shelf and allowance system your family uses.

Do not make every small responsibility expensive. Kids should be able to understand why one chore earns more than another.

Choose the Schedule

Decide when the chore should appear.

Common choices include:

• Once
• Daily
• Selected days
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Yearly
• Custom frequency

Match the real household pattern.

Examples:

• Feed the dog every day
• Take trash out every Wednesday
• Water plants Monday and Thursday
• Clean the backpack once a week
• Organize the garage once

Detailed schedule options are covered in Scheduling & Reminders.

Add a Due Time When Timing Matters

Use a due time when the chore needs to happen before a real deadline.

Examples:

• Pack the backpack by 7:30 AM
• Feed the pet by 8:00 AM
• Put the lunchbox in the sink by 5:00 PM
• Take the trash out before collection

A chore such as “Fold towels this weekend” may not need a strict time.

A due time should help the child plan. It should not create a deadline for every small task.

Add Reminders

Add a reminder to a chore that is easy to forget.

A good reminder arrives close enough to the action that the child can respond.

Start with one reminder.

Multiple reminders can help selected chores, but adding several reminders to everything can make the whole family ignore notifications.

Parent and child reminders may be configured separately depending on the current setup.

Add Instructions

Add instructions when the chore name does not fully explain the finish line.

Use:

• A short note
• A picture
• A video
• A Smart List or checklist

Example:

Chore: Pack the school bag

Instructions:

• Add homework
• Add lunchbox
• Add water bottle
• Put the bag by the door

Link to the full instructions guide when the chore needs several steps.

Choose Parent Approval

Turn on Parent Approval when the chore should wait for an adult review before it is fully accepted and rewarded.

Good approval chores:

• Clean the bathroom sink
• Fold and put away laundry
• Organize a bedroom
• Complete a homework routine
• Prepare a simple meal

Simple chores such as “Put shoes away” may not need approval.

If a parent rejects the chore, it returns to the assigned family member so the work can be corrected and submitted again.

Choose Photo Proof

Turn on Photo Proof when a picture makes the result easier to review.

Good examples:

• Made bed
• Organized desk
• Cleaned pet area
• Put away laundry
• Completed yard work

Photo Proof can be used with or without Parent Approval, depending on the current product setup.

Use it as a clarity tool—not as proof for every small contribution.

Review Lock and Late Penalty

These controls affect what happens after the due time.

Lock

When enabled, an incomplete chore becomes locked after it is past due.

Late Penalty

The chore remains completable after the due time, but the person completing it earns fewer S’mores.

Use either control only when the deadline matters and the family understands the rule.

Check the First Occurrence

After saving, confirm:

• The correct family member can see it
• The first date is right
• The due time is right
• The reminder is going to the intended person
• The S’mores value is visible
• Instructions are readable
• Approval or Photo Proof appears when expected

Complete the chore once before creating many similar chores.

Full Example

Chore: Put lunchbox in the sink
Category: After School
Assigned to: Maya
S’mores: 10
Schedule: Monday through Friday
Due time: 4:30 PM
Reminder: 4:00 PM
Instructions: Empty any trash and place the lunchbox by the sink
Approval: Off
Photo Proof: Off

This is a clear, repeatable chore that the child can complete without waiting for a parent.

Common Setup Mistakes

The chore name is too broad

Rewrite it as one action.

The chore appears at the wrong time

Check the start date, selected days, and due time.

The child cannot see it

Check the assigned profile and family account.

The approval queue becomes too large

Turn approval off for simple chores.

Reminders become noise

Keep reminders only on chores that need them.

The S’mores value causes arguments

Use a few standard values and explain how effort affects the amount.

Common Questions

Can I edit the chore later?

Yes. Review the next occurrence after changing a repeating chore.

Does every chore need a category?

A category can help organization, but the chore can still be clear without a complicated category system.

Can a chore have more than one reminder?

Yes, where supported. Use multiple reminders selectively.

Does every chore need S’mores?

No. The family decides which responsibilities earn S’mores.

Can I use approval and Photo Proof together?

Yes, where supported. The child submits the photo and the parent reviews the chore.

Best First Action

Create one chore your child already understands.

Keep the first setup simple: clear name, correct owner, realistic time, and one S’mores value.

Related Articles

• How Chores Work in S’moresUp
• How to Assign Chores
• Add Clear Instructions to a Chore
• How Chores Move from Pending to Done