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14 Creative Rewards to Use With a Chore App 

 January 30, 2025

By  Inge von Aulock

Turning Chores Into Fun With Creative Rewards

Getting kids (and sometimes even adults) to complete chores can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where chore apps come in, helping families stay organized and on track. But let’s face it – motivation is key. The right reward system can transform chores from a dreaded task into an exciting challenge.

So, what are the most effective and creative reward systems that families have successfully implemented with chore apps? We asked 14 thought leaders to share their best strategies. From family equity systems to reward wheels, experience-based incentives, and even smart home integrations, these expert ideas offer fresh, fun ways to keep everyone engaged and accountable.

If you’re looking for inspiration to make chore time less of a struggle and more of a rewarding experience, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into 14 creative ways to reward family members using a chore app!

  • Family Equity System for Chores
  • Points-Based System with Movie Night Reward
  • OurHome App with Family Fun Jar
  • Chore Auction with Weekly Bidding
  • Points for Prizes System
  • Rewarding Fun Experiences for Chores
  • Chore Bucks System for Rewards
  • Chocolate Freedom Points for Chores
  • Special Family Fun Day Rewards
  • Smart Home Integration for Chores
  • Reward Wheel System for Chores
  • Points for Experiences System
  • Courtroom Rules for Family Rewards
  • Clear Incentives with Escalating Rewards
Hire and Fire your Kids

Family Equity System for Chores

I happen to geek out about using apps to bring families closer. A creative reward system I’ve used with a chore app is something I call “Family Equity.” Instead of simply doling out points for chores that can be exchanged for screen time or candy, we set up a system where each completed chore earns “equity shares” in a communal fun fund. Here’s how it works:

1. Equity Shares: Every time someone finishes a chore-taking out the trash, vacuuming, cleaning the dishes-they earn a certain number of shares logged in the chore app.

2. Fun Fund: These shares contribute to a family “fun fund” managed by the app (you can track it with a simple spreadsheet or a built-in point system). Once we hit a milestone (e.g. 50 shares total), we collectively decide on a family reward like a trip to the local museum, a new board game everyone’s dying to try, or a big at-home pizza party.

3. Shared Ownership: Each person has a say in how we use the fun fund proportional to their total shares. This means the more chores you do, the bigger voice you have in picking our next family adventure. It’s essentially treating chores as an investment in our together time.

What’s fun is that it shifts the reward from “I do chores to get something purely for myself” to “I’m building ownership in our shared experiences.” An example that’s been a hit at my house is pooling shares to pay for a “Family Innovation Night,” where everyone picks a wacky science experiment or cooking project to tackle together. The kids love it because they see a direct line from their chore equity to the cool activity we end up doing-and they get to vote on it, so they feel real agency.

It’s a twist on typical chore points because it fosters both personal motivation and a sense of teamwork. Everyone’s proud of building up our family’s “equity.” It’s one of those ideas people often say, “Wow, I never thought of chores that way.”

Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com

Points-Based System with Movie Night Reward

I integrated the chore app into a points-based system where each task earns stars, and those stars can be redeemed for larger privileges (like choosing a weekend family outing). One reward that consistently resonates is letting the kids plan a movie night from start to finish, from picking the film to deciding which snacks to serve. By giving them that level of control, chores feel less like an obligation and more like a gateway to fun family experiences. I’ve noticed that experiences trump material rewards because they create bonding moments and give kids a sense of accomplishment. This approach has turned chores into a collaborative effort rather than a dreaded daily routine. Ultimately, giving them the power to shape special events motivates them far more than standard allowances or toy purchases ever did.

James Shaffer, Managing Director, Insurance Panda

OurHome App with Family Fun Jar

One creative reward system I’m using is with the OurHome app and a “Family Fun Jar” that ties completed tasks to personalized, experience-based rewards. Each person in my family logs their completed chores in the app, and for every chore finished, they earn points. The app makes it easy to track progress and assign tasks, ensuring everyone is accountable.

Once we accumulate a certain number of points as a family, we draw a reward from the jar. The rewards are centered around shared experiences, like a movie night at home with everyone’s favorite snacks, a family outing, or letting the kids choose dinner for the night. For individual incentives, smaller rewards like staying up a little later or picking a family game.

This system, paired with the simplicity of the OurHome app, keeps everyone motivated and organized while emphasizing teamwork and shared achievements. It’s a fun and effective way to teach responsibility while creating memorable family moments.

Mandi StGermaine, Co-Founder, MBS | The Woman Beyond the Cape

Chore Auction with Weekly Bidding

I created a chore auction to make it fun.

Each family member earns points through the chore app, and once a week, we “bid” on rewards like movie nights, extra screen time, or even picking dinner.

One time, my daughter spent all her points on skipping dish duty for a week, it was hilarious! The competition keeps everyone motivated, and chores actually get done without complaints.

Abdullah Saleem, Founder & CEO, Plumbing Amarillo TX

Points for Prizes System

I have found that implementing a creative reward system in conjunction with a chore app can greatly motivate family members to complete tasks and chores around the house. One example of this is the “Points for Prizes” system that my own family uses.

With this system, each family member is assigned specific tasks and chores on our household chore app. Every time they complete a task, they earn points which can then be redeemed for prizes at the end of the week. These prizes can range from small treats like ice cream or movie night to bigger rewards like a day trip to the beach.

What makes this system effective is that it allows for flexibility in terms of what tasks are assigned and what prizes are offered. This allows for each family member to feel like they have a say in the system and can work towards something that they truly want.

For example, my daughter loves spending time at the beach but is not particularly fond of doing dishes. With this reward system, she can earn points by completing tasks she enjoys, such as vacuuming or organizing her room, and use those points to redeem a day trip to the beach.

Erica Nunley, Founder & CEO, Nunley Home Buyers

Rewarding Fun Experiences for Chores

As a parent, I love rewarding my 10-year-old daughter with fun experiences when she completes her chores because it creates positive motivation. For example, if she keeps her room tidy all week, we might have a movie night or visit the indoor water park. These rewards give her something exciting to look forward to, making chores feel more worthwhile. It also teaches her that effort leads to meaningful experiences rather than just material rewards. Over time, she’s become more responsible, knowing that her hard work helps create special moments for our family.

Evan McCarthy, President and CEO, SportingSmiles

Chore Bucks System for Rewards

Incorporating a creative reward system with a chore app has been very effective in motivating my family to complete their tasks. One system that works well for us is using “chore bucks.” When my children finish their chores, they earn a “chore buck” to redeem for rewards. These range from small treats like ice cream or extra screen time to bigger rewards like choosing dinner or a special outing.

This system not only encourages my children to complete their chores, but also teaches them the value of hard work and responsibility. By earning their rewards, they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.

Additionally, the use of a chore app allows for easy tracking and management of tasks and rewards. My children can see exactly which chores they need to complete and how many chore bucks they have earned. This eliminates any confusion or arguments over completed tasks.

Robert Fausette, Owner, Revival Homebuyer

Chocolate Freedom Points for Chores

A fun reward system we’ve used is letting family members earn “Chocolate Freedom Points.” Every time someone completes a chore, they earn points that can be redeemed for any chocolate treat they want-from a candy bar to a fancy chocolate milkshake.

“Chocolate Splurge Night”

 * Reward Cost: 50 points

 * Details: The family heads to the store, and the person cashing in their points gets to pick any chocolate item they want-no questions asked. Bonus points if they share (because my toddler hates sharing)!

Tansha Casarez, MD, HER BALANCED WORLD

Special Family Fun Day Rewards

I’m all about keeping things simple and motivating my family with rewards that actually matter. We’ve been using a chore app for a while, and one of the best things we’ve tried is offering special “family fun day” rewards. It’s a simple yet effective way to get everyone involved and make the chores feel less like work. After a week of completed tasks, the reward is a trip to the park or a movie night with popcorn. This kind of reward hits the right note because it’s something the whole family can look forward to and enjoy together.

What works well here is the immediate gratification. It’s not just about the chore itself, but the promise of something fun afterward. Everyone gets excited and pulls together. It’s a win-win-everyone stays motivated, and we have quality time as a family. Keep it focused on shared experiences, and you’ll see the results.

Natalia Lavrenenko, UGC manager/Marketing manager, Rathly

Smart Home Integration for Chores

I set up a chore app and linked it to a point-based reward system but wanted to make it feel more interactive. I built a custom integration that connected completed tasks to smart home devices. Every time a chore was checked off, the lights in the living room changed color, and once enough points were earned, the system triggered a fun animation on the TV. The big reward was gaining control over the home’s lighting and entertainment system for a day. It made completing tasks more engaging and added a tech-driven incentive that worked surprisingly well.

Paul DeMott, Chief Technology Officer, Helium SEO

Reward Wheel System for Chores

To make chores fun, we added a reward wheel system to our chore app. Completing tasks earns spins on the wheel, with prizes ranging from “Skip a Chore” to “Ice Cream Night.” The randomness keeps everyone excited to participate. One memorable moment was when my daughter landed on extra screen time after folding laundry-she was so motivated that she volunteered for other chores to earn more spins! It’s been a hit because it combines instant gratification with family-oriented rewards. This system has made chores less of a burden and more of a fun, shared experience for everyone.

Tornike Asatiani, CEO, Edumentors

Points for Experiences System

I’m C.L. Mike Schmidt, a Dallas-based defense attorney, but at home, I’ve used creative systems to keep chores on track while fostering teamwork within my family. A chore app paired with a thoughtful reward system has been a game-changer.

Reward System: Points for Experiences

Using a chore app like OurHome, I set up a points system where each family member earns points for completed tasks. Instead of monetary rewards, points are redeemed for shared experiences. For example, 100 points might equal a family movie night, while 300 points could mean a weekend outing of their choice.

Why It Works

This system emphasizes collaboration over competition. One time, my kids pooled their points to plan a trip to their favorite amusement park. They worked together on household tasks to reach the goal, which not only got the chores done but also strengthened their teamwork.

Rewards tied to experiences, rather than material items, create lasting memories and motivate everyone to pitch in. If you’d like to hear more ideas or details about how we’ve structured this system, feel free to reach out, I’d be happy to share!

C.L. Mike Schmidt, Personal Injury Lawyer, Schmidt & Clark

Courtroom Rules for Family Rewards

I created a family reward system following courtroom rules. When children finished their chores they received earning points until they reached evidence needed for their chosen prize. At the week’s end everyone needed to make their closing statements explaining their work performance and the winner received a bonus prize. My system added planning to daily chores and friendly competition made everything more fun.

Gordon Hirsch, Founder and Managing Attorney, Hirsch Law Group

Clear Incentives with Escalating Rewards

I recommend combining clear incentives with tools that track progress can encourage consistent habits and positive outcomes. A powerful incentive system links individual performance to a sense of short-term accomplishment by way of escalating incentives. You can also use a chore app and score points for tasks based on their difficulty or time (such as 10 points for the dishes and 25 points for the living room).

As family members surpass certain thresholds, they earn little perks such as selecting a family movie night or more screen time. This kind of scaling rewards builds anticipation while making the system feel reasonable and feasible.

For a new touch of fun, try streak bonuses. A weekly chore completion of one day per week, for instance, can increase points to twofold. This attribute encourages regularity and reinforces routines.

Caleb John, Director, Exceed Plumbing

Conclusion: Making Chores a Positive and Rewarding Experience

From chore auctions and point-based incentives to family fun days and smart tech integrations, these 14 creative reward systems prove that chores don’t have to be a battle – they can be an opportunity.

The most effective rewards go beyond material prizes; they foster teamwork, responsibility, and shared family experiences. Whether it’s earning points toward a dream outing, spinning a reward wheel, or pooling equity shares for a group adventure, the best systems are fun, engaging, and tailored to what motivates your family.

If you’re using a chore app, take inspiration from these expert strategies to gamify the experience, encourage participation, and create positive family habits that last.

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