An advent calendar with chores for kids, one door a day

An advent calendar with chores gives kids something to look forward to every day in December: a door that opens once the day's chores are done, and a small helping job behind it. Here is why a door a day works for kids, how to set one up at home, with or without an app, and how the advent calendar in Kroni works.

Why a door a day works

• Waiting becomes something to count. To a child, "in three weeks" is long and vague. 24 doors turn December into something they can see, count and keep track of themselves.
• It quickly becomes a habit. One small thing each day, ideally at the same time, is easier to remember than a long list every now and then.
• It is small enough to get done. A job of a few minutes is one a child can finish alone, and finishing feels good.
• It is about pitching in. When what is behind the door is helping someone, kids notice that they make a difference at home.

Tie the door to the regular chores and your child also gets a reason to finish them each day. The door becomes a small sign that the day is done, not one more thing to nag about.

How to make a helping-job calendar at home

1. Decide when the door opens. For example once the day's regular chores are done, or after dinner. A fixed rule means no negotiating every evening.
2. Write 24 small jobs. One per door, none longer than five to ten minutes. Mix help around the house with small kindnesses, such as writing a note for someone.
3. Make the doors. 24 envelopes on a string, 24 folded slips in a jar, or a sheet with 24 squares on the fridge. Your child ticks one off or takes a slip down each day.
4. Keep the job unpaid. The helping job is not a paid chore. It is something your child does to help, and the usual chores carry on alongside it.
5. Agree in advance on busy days. December fills up fast. If you have already agreed what happens to a door you did not get to, there is nothing to argue about when it happens.

With more than one child, each can have their own calendar, or they can take turns opening. Separate calendars are usually easier, because nobody has to keep track of whose turn it is.

If you have no regular chores yet, a chore chart for kids is a good place to start.

Helping jobs by age

• Ages 3 to 5: line up the shoes in the hall, pair socks from the laundry, put toys away before bedtime, draw a picture for someone in the family.
• Ages 6 to 9: set the table, carry in the groceries, wipe the kitchen table, fill everyone's water glasses at dinner.
• Ages 10 and up: help make breakfast, fold the laundry, vacuum one room, help sort the recycling.
• Any age: thank someone for something they did, give someone a hug or a high five, let someone else choose the show today.

For more ideas sorted by age, see what kids should be able to do at home.

How the advent calendar in Kroni works

Kroni has a built-in advent calendar, free for every family. Here is how it works:

1. Turn it on. A parent turns on Advent calendar in Family settings. It stays off until someone does. During November, Kroni also shows a card asking if you would like it.
2. From 1 to 24 December each child gets a calendar with 24 doors on Today.
3. The door opens once the day's chores are done. A chore waiting for a grown-up to approve it counts as done. A day with no chores, or a Day off, opens the door too. When the last chore is handed in, an "Open door" button appears with the day's number.
4. Behind the door is a small helping job, such as "Fill everyone's water glasses at dinner" or "Say thank you to someone for something they did". The job pays nothing, is not a chore and needs no approval. It is just for the fun of helping.
5. A door not opened on its day stays shut. Only today's door can be opened. The next day starts with a new door.

Each child has their own calendar and opens their own doors. If siblings share one phone or tablet, each child sees their calendar when they tap into their own list. The overview of all the kids shows no calendar.

The 24 helping jobs are the same for every family and are about helping at home and being kind to each other.

Keep it light

An advent calendar should be something kids look forward to. If you miss a door one day, that is fine. The door is a small bonus at the end of the day, not one more duty.