Cheree Larson, Author at Fun Family Next Door

Our Favorite Substitute for Chore Charts: Dad Dollars & Mommy Mart

Kids doing household chores work

Looking for kids’ chore charts? Here’s an idea that’s a lot more fun. Throw out the chore charts and try this!

Dad Dollars & Mommy Mart

Summertime means more time at home… and more messes. That means everyone needs to help with household chores and yard work. Children who enjoy cleaning and weeding are as rare as albino hedgehogs. However, a little planning and a touch of fun can go a long way.

Here’s an idea that has been a huge success at our house: Dad Dollars. Our children actually request this “kids chore chart” incentive plan because they enjoy it so much. Give it a try! You just might see a few smiles while your kids are working.

Dad Dollars

Here’s the idea: Kids earn pretend money for completing jobs around the house. Then they spend those dollars at the Mommy Mart.

Print a simple dollar shape with a picture of Dad, Grandpa, Mom, etc. You could make Dad Dollars, Grandpa Greenbacks, or Mom’s Moola. Have fun with it!

Make a list of ways to earn the Dad Dollars. Here’s our list:

Dad Dollars List

Dad Dollar Earning Opportunities List

Now, make a list of activities or items the kids can buy with their money.

Mommy Mart List

Mommy Mart

You’ll need to make sure they are items that can be ready almost instantly. For example, I have a bucket with special Mommy Mart treats. The kids can pay three Dad Dollars and choose a treat immediately. The activities on our list can usually be accomplished within a few days of the purchase, if not immediately. Kids get frustrated if they save up for an item and then have to wait a long time to receive it.

Once you’ve made your cash and lists, and gathered a few Mommy Mart items, you should be ready to present your plan to your children. They may have a few ideas for your lists too. Make it work for your family. We promise that they’ll never miss the old kids’ chore charts.

We hope this little idea makes your summer go a bit smoother. Now, let’s get to work!

Find more ideas for teaching kids to work in our post Chore Charts & Beyond.

Inspirational Family Films

Don’t you just love it when you find a film that inspires you? We love powerful stories that teach and energize us to try a little harder and reach a little further. Here’s a list of inspirational family films rated G or PG that we know your family will enjoy.

We love the book “Wonder” and appreciate the thoughtful and creative movie adaptation. This is a great story of a boy with a physical deformity. The story teaches us to never judge a book by its cover, and so much more.

This beautiful movie celebrates the lives of an extraordinary couple. When Robin is suddenly stricken with polio, he loses all control over his body. He can’t even breathe on its own. This true story shows the power of love and perseverance. It’s marvelous!

This is one of our favorites! Walter Mitty is a nervous guy who dreams of adventure but never takes the leap until everything falls apart and he’s forced to fly. Bonus: Gorgeous cinematography.

This movie is based on the book “Rocket Boys”. It will inspire your kids to study math and science as they follow a group of boys who build model rockets during the space race of the 50’s and 60’s.

This is a powerful film about impoverished Hispanic youth preparing for the Advanced Placement Calculus test. It’s the story of an amazing teacher and some unlikely geniuses.

Another one of our favorites, Akeelah and the Bee is an inspiring film about a family and community who help a little girl get to the National Spelling Bee.

This is the story of a team of African-American female mathematicians who work for NASA during the early years of the space program. It’s a lesson on the power of persistence, self-respect, and the continuing battle of prejudice in our society.

Here’s a sweet story that you and your children will adore. Opal is new in town but she manages to make many unlikely friends and bring them together to heal their hearts and their community.

Another amazing space story! We’re excited by any movie that highlights engineers as the heroes. This one is an amazing true rescue story of the Apollo 13 space shuttle.

This film is a tear-jerker, but also an inspiring tale full of imagination. It’s fun to watch a movie of a beloved book. Terabithia is a magical place where two friends can escape all their worries. It’s a beautiful story of friendship.

We’ll end by recommending a true American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. A lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge. As the story unfolds, his children learn many lessons about prejudice. Everyone should read/watch To Kill a Mockingbird.

Want more inspirational movies? SEE OUR FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIES

Check out our other movie lists for more recommendations.

Musicals to Get You Singing

Are you in the mood for some singing and dancing at your house? It’s time for a fun family musical!

We’ve tried to set aside Sunday as a special day at our house by making a few rules about media. The only movies we watch on Sundays are “Sunday Classics”. This rule has introduced a lot of fun old musicals to our children.

Here’s a list of some of our favorites, including a few newer shows that aren’t actually classics. You’re sure to be singing them for days to come.

All of these movies are rated G or PG.