S’moresUp works best when your family gets one clear win before you add a long chore list.

Start with one chore your child already knows. Assign it, let them mark it complete, and show them what happens next.

That first completed chore makes the system real.

Quick Start: Your First Three Minutes

1. Open S’moresUp and check that the right family members are listed.
2. Choose one simple chore due today.
3. Assign it to the right person.
4. Let them complete it and mark it done.
5. Approve it if approval is turned on, then celebrate the first win.

That is enough for the first day.

Start with Chores Your Family Already Knows

The best starter chores are small, familiar, and easy to check.

Try chores such as:

• Feed the pet
• Put dishes in the sink
• Pack the backpack
• Put laundry in the hamper
• Make the bed
• Clear the table
• Brush teeth

Avoid starting with a broad chore such as:

Clean your room.

Try a clearer finish line:

Put dirty clothes in the hamper.

Once that step is working, you can add another part of the room.

Check Your Family Setup

Before assigning several chores, make sure the family list is correct.

Check for:

• Parent or adult profiles
• Child profiles
• The correct person assigned to each chore
• The device or profile each child will use
• Old chores that no longer fit the family

S’moresUp supports both iOS and Android. Family members can use their own device or share a family device.

A younger child may need help opening their profile and marking the first few chores complete. That is fine. The goal is to teach the flow.

Give the First Chore a Clear Finish Line

A child should be able to answer:

• What do I need to do?
• When does it need to happen?
• How will I know it is finished?
• What happens after I mark it complete?

Use the chore name, instructions, photo, or checklist to make the answer clear.

Instead of:

Help with the kitchen.

Try:

Put dinner dishes in the dishwasher.

Clear chores are easier to finish and easier to review.

Pick a Simple S’mores Value

S’mores are the points kids can earn for completing responsibilities.

For the first chore, keep the value simple:

• 5 S’mores for a very small chore
• 10 S’mores for a regular daily chore
• 25 S’mores for a bigger job

The exact number is up to your family. The first goal is not to create a perfect point system. It is to help your child see that completed work becomes visible progress.

Not every chore has to earn S’mores. Some families use S’mores for every chore. Others use them for new habits, harder work, or Bonus chores.

Walk Through One Full Chore

Show your child the whole flow once:

1. Find the chore.
2. Read what needs to be done.
3. Complete the work.
4. Mark the chore complete.
5. Add Photo Proof if the chore asks for it.
6. Wait for Parent Approval if approval is required.
7. See the completed chore and earned S’mores.

Keep the practice chore easy.

The first completion is not the time to test every Premium control. Let your family learn the basic flow first.

Add One Reward

The Reward Shelf gives kids something visible to work toward.

Start with a reward your child understands and your family can honor.

Examples:

• Choose the family movie
• Extra game time
• Pick dessert
• Stay up 15 minutes later on the weekend
• Save toward a book, toy, or activity

Create one small reward and one larger goal. This gives the child a reason to earn now and a reason to save.

Add One Useful Reminder

Pick the chore you repeat out loud most often.

Add one reminder before the chore is due, then tell your child:

S’moresUp is going to send the first reminder. Check the app before I remind you again.

Start with one reminder. Add more only when the first one is still useful.

Add More Only When the Basics Work

After the first win, you can add:

• A due time
• A repeating schedule
• More reminders
• Clear instructions or a checklist
• More Reward Shelf choices
• Rotate, Collaborate, Compete, or As Needed chores
• Parent Approval
• Photo Proof
• Bonus chores
• Savings goals

Do not turn everything on at once.

A simple family system that kids can see and follow is more useful than a feature-rich setup nobody checks.

A Simple First-Week Plan

Days 1–2: Learn the Flow

Complete one or two easy chores together.

Day 3: Add One Reward

Let your child see what the first S’mores can lead to.

Day 4: Add One Reminder

Use it for a chore that often creates repeated parent follow-up.

Days 5–6: Let the Family Try It

Notice which chores are clear and which ones need a better time, a different owner, or clearer instructions.

Day 7: Open Weekly View

Celebrate one win and fix one chore that did not work.

When the Setup Starts Feeling Too Big

Simplify it.

You can:

• Keep only 5 to 7 starter chores
• Turn off reminders that have become noise
• Remove approval from very simple chores
• Break a large chore into smaller steps
• Move a morning chore to the night before
• Remove rewards the family cannot honor
• Stop adding features until the basic flow feels easy

S’moresUp should make the family system clearer. If the app feels crowded, remove something before adding more.

Common Questions

Should I add every chore in the house?

No. Begin with chores that create the most repeated reminders or help the day run better.

Does every child need their own phone?

No. Younger children can use a shared family device or complete chores with a parent. Older children can use their own profile and device when ready.

What if my child forgets to open the app?

Add one reminder to one important chore. Also choose a regular check-in time, such as after school or before bedtime.

What if my child marks a chore done too early?

Make the finish line clearer. For chores where the result matters, consider Parent Approval or Photo Proof.

Should we use Premium features on the first day?

Only when they solve a specific problem. Start with the basic chore flow, then add advanced controls as needed.

Best First Action

Choose one chore your child can finish in less than five minutes.

Assign it, complete it together, and celebrate the first S’moresUp win.

Related Articles

• What Is S’moresUp?
• How to Set Up Your Family
• How to Complete Your First Chore
• Your First Week with S’moresUp