DIY Kids Magnetic Chore Chart

Something we have been wanting to establish for a while is a kid chore chart. But we wanted something simple and that we could make. Plus I wanted a chart called “Work for Hire” this way the kids could earn some extra money. After fiddling around with some ideas in my head, I finally decided on a DIY magnetic chore chart and this is how it turned out.

What do you think? Now that it’s complete the only thing I would maybe change is the color of the names to black. Do you want to find out how to create a kids magnetic chore chart for yourself? Here is the process I used.

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DIY MAGNETIC CHORE CHART

PREPPING THE WOOD

The wood board needs to be cut to length. Here are the cuts that are needed for one chart.

4 – 9.5″
4 – 12.5″

TIP: Use one board as a template for the rest then the cuts will be the same size.

After cutting the wood, two pockets need to be added to one edge of each board. There will be a total of 16 pockets. Use the Kreg Jig K5 to make each pocket in the wood.

Once all the pockets are created, sand the wood with #220 grit sandpaper.

THE METAL

SIDE NOTE: I had to cut the sheet metal in half to get the size I needed and the edges will be sharp

First, trace a line on the metal then use tin snips to cut. Be careful the edges will be sharp!

Being careful with the metal edges, it’s time to add the title (name) plus decorative elements to the metal. First, I  decided the distance I wanted the decorative tape from the edge of the wood (1/2″ of the metal will be covered by wood on all sides). I decided to place my first tape line (on name chart) 2.25″ from the top metal edge. But before placing that tape line, the middle line needs to be placed. So measure 4 3/8″ from a side of the metal and 2.25″ from the top then place the top of the tape 2.25″ from top of the metal and against the 4 3/8″ measurement, this is your middle line.

Next, add the other tape lines:

– 2.25″ from the top edge
– 1.5″ from the previous line

SIDE NOTE for Work for Hire Chart: You only need one tape line 4″ from the top of the metal.

Once all the decorative tape is added, add the stickers to the metal.

TIP: for the NOT DONE used an “X” and for the DONE, I used two straight lines (i’s) to form a check mark.

Now you’re ready to assemble the metal and wood together.

ASSEMBLE THE CHART

After prepping the wood and the metal, it can all be assembled together. First, you will be creating two frames out of the wood pieces (2 – 9.5″ & 2 – 12.5″ for each frame).

The sides of the wood with the pockets will be the inside of the frame. Place a 9.5″ edge with the pockets facing the 12.5″ piece (no pockets edge) together. Clamp the wood together and using the 1″ screws, attach the pieces together. Do this again for the other edges.

Once this is completed for all the wood pieces, you will have two frames (or more if you’re making more charts). If you would like to have your frames stained, stain them now. I used Provincial by Minwax on our frames.

Pick one frame to be the front and one the back. Take the back frame and place it on a flat surface with pockets against the surface (not facing you). Using a 1/8″ drill, pre-drill a hole into all four corners of the frame (center the holes). After flip frame over so the pockets are facing you.

Next (with the back frame) mark 1/2″ away from the inside edge of the frame (on the pocket side) on all corners. This mark is where the metal will sit inside the frame. Add the liquid nails inside that 1/2″ mark all around the frame.

Place the metal, decorative side facing you, onto the frame. Adjust the metal until the corners are centered on the marked spots and press into place. Then add more liquid nails around the edge of the metal and place the front frame on top (pockets not facing you).

Adjust the frame until aligned the tape the middle top and bottom to help hold the frames in place.

Flip over the frame carefully and add a screw to the four corners of the frame (you already pre-drill the holes). Let the frame sit overnight on a flat surface to let the liquid nails dry. But during that time you can work on the magnets.

CREATING THE MAGNETIC

First, you need to create your chore label so they can be printed on the cardstock. I used Canva because it’s free. I created a circle that was slightly bigger than my 1.5″ wood nickels, this way after they are cut they would be the size of the wood. Then I add my chores I wanted inside the circle plus I used different fonts and colors to make them fun.

SIDE NOTE for Work For Hire: I place a line through the circle and only typed above the line. Once they are printed. Cut around the circle but cut along the line. Only the text half of the circle will be used.

Then I saved my design to my computer. To print them, I opened a word file and inserted the images into the file then printed. Once they were printed I cut the cardstock.

Before the paper can be added to the wood circles, the magnets need to be glued to the wood circles. Take one wood circle and one magnet, place super glue on the magnet then place the magnet in the center of the wood circle. Do this for the number of chores you have and let them sit until they are dry.

After the super glue has dried its time to add the paper to the wood. Take Elmer’s glue and a foam brush, apply a light coat of glue to the wood. Then place the paper onto Elmer’s glue and let it dry. TIP: With much glue will make the paper slide around. See how we created wooden picture ornaments with this method.

Once the glue has dried, take some sandpaper and sand the edge of the wood where the paper meets it. This will sand the paper to match the wood.

Next place the old sheet on the baking sheet, making sure it is completely covered. Then place the magnet chores onto the baking sheet (with an old sheet between). Take the clear spray paint and paint the chores (this will help protect the paper). Do 2-3 light coats of clear spray paint.

SIDE NOTE: If you are making the “Work for Hire” chart; after applying the clear spray paint (over the paper). Then spray paint the chalkboard paint onto the magnets, again apply 2-3 coats.

THE CHART IS COMPLETE

Now that your magnets are done, all that is left is to add a picture frame hanger to the back frame and hang it on the wall. And that’s how to create a magnet kid chore chart.

One thing I really like about this frame is those unused magnets can be placed on the back of the frame store.

Also if you created the “Work for Hire” chart, you can take the chalk pen and write your price for each chore. Plus if you decide later that you need to change the price, just remove the chalk and write a new price!

What do you think of these kids chore charts? Do you like the work for hire idea?