Soft, colorful alternative to a star chart: the warm fuzzy jar
After reading our recent discussion about upgrading a marble jar with rocks, Melissa sent this adorable account of her family's warm fuzzy jar.
I totally stole this idea from The R House. I printed a warm fuzzy label on sticker paper and put it on a thrift store jar. We got pom poms from the craft store (with a coupon, of course).
The green tape line around the top shows the kids where the jar is considered full. They get five warm fuzzies for doing morning chores without reminders, three if I have to remind them and none if they grump about it. When they are helpful and considerate of others, they can choose how many warm fuzzies to put in the jar.
The really big warm fuzzies are for extra special things like doing something for the first time or having a great success at school. A basket holds the fuzzies and list of family rewards. The kids are welcome to suggest new rewards. When the jar fills, we dump the warm fuzzies back into the basket and start over. My 6-year-old and 4-year-old really love it and enjoy thinking of what they will get to do the next time the jar is full.
LOVE! One jar for the whole family encourages sibling cooperation -- brilliant. Plus, those cheery colors just make me happy. (Thanks so much for sending the photos, Melissa.)
Related: Fitness jar motivates little couch potatoes
More: Hacks for star charts and other reward systems
What a great idea, reward charts today are so lame, but this idea might just work for little ones, they are generally very competitive anyways so this should be ideal. Thanks for simple but all together unique idea it might just work.
Lisa Mills
Mom of 7
Posted by: Baby Gifts | 14 June 2012 at 02:33 AM
I just started doing the same thing with my son! It's been working really well. I love the idea of doing a jar for the whole family, too.
Posted by: Valerie Catrow | 14 June 2012 at 04:44 AM
I am so glad you are trying it out in your home. The secret to our success with the Warm Fuzzy Jar has been to reward OFTEN and GENEROUSLY.
Now I kids clear their dishes on their own and go right over to the jar and reward themselves.
AMAZEBALLS.
Posted by: Lindsey Redfern from therhouse.com | 14 June 2012 at 10:52 PM
Artful Vision is seeking new artists - made in US. www.artfulvision.com
Posted by: Ginger | 27 June 2012 at 08:12 PM
I'm looking to incorporate this in our family. I, too, have a 4 and a 6 year old. Curious, what are their morning chores?
Posted by: Wendy | 11 October 2012 at 01:41 PM