Mystery Chore Rewards with QR Codes

January is a great time to revamp your chore system. I always feel the need to clean house and implement some changes in the new year. Here is a fun way to reward your kids for doing their chores. I left the logistics of the system up to you. You can decide how many chores your kids need to do to get the reward. Maybe you want to reward them less often or more often. Maybe you want them to work harder and do a better job on their chores. Or maybe you want them to stick to their jobs and get them done consistently. You will have to decide how to make these rewards work for you.

Here are the QR Code Rewards I have so far! I may just need to update this post with more possible rewards regularly.

1. Ice Cream Cone

2.  Movie Night

3. Late Bedtime

4. Date with Dad

5. Date with Mom

6. New Toy

7. New Game

8. New Book

9. Out to A Restaurant

10. Play Date with a Friend

All I can say is that these QR Codes will be rewarding. There is something about the mystery that drives kids crazy. They just have to earn the reward to find out what it is!!

Print out the QR Codes and laminate them for durability.  (Cut off the sentence that tells what the reward is, of course! That is just to help Mom know which rewards you want to use.)

Stick them in a cute jar with the label that I have provided and let the kids know what they have to do to earn a reward. Then kick up your feet and watch in wonder as the chores magically get done. Once the reward has been earned, let your kids draw a QR Code from the jar and use your smart phone or tablet to see their mystery prize! Doing work has never been so much fun!

Chore Rewards Labels

QR Code Chore Rewards

Country Day: Russia

I have been thinking that it would be fun to feature a different country each week and spotlight crafts and activities that you could do with each country. With the Winter Olympics right around the corner in Sochi, it made perfect sense to start with Russia. Both my parents and my brother-in-law Adam served a church mission in the beautiful country of Russia. They love the people and the memories they created there. Share a few of these activities with your family, preschool class or cub scout troop today.

Fun Books About Russia

Activities To Do With The Book "THE MITTEN"

Free Printable Mitten and Animals

Great Movies with a Russian Theme or Russian Characters

Russian Crafts

Faberge Egg Collage

Russian Nesting Dolls

with Free Printable Patterns

Russian Cityscape Silhouette

Russian Foods

Orange Drop Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes

Russian Pierogis

Russian Games

Games Children Play in Russia

Russian Fairy Tales

Enjoy the adventures of the mighty knight Ruslan, the beautiful "dead" princess, Ivan Tsarevich, Prince Gvidon and many others. 

Fairy Tales Told in Russia

Russian Music and Dancing

Watch this fun video and then try out your hand at some traditional Russian Dancing!

Wild Animal Party

Are your little ones acting like wild animals this winter? Then these party ideas are for you! Whether you have a winter birthday celebration to plan or are just looking for a reason to party, pick some of the ideas below for some wild and crazy fun.

1. Watch this fantastic TED talk about Leopards, Lions and other Big Cats. Derek and Beverly Joubert are amazing and the footage they capture is incredible. My students loved this video.

2. Make some Elephant Toothpaste.
We were so inspired by the elephant who wouldn't give up in the video above that we made this toothpaste in her honor. The chemical reaction is so fun to watch and this toothpaste just doesn't quit either! I purchased the 6 % Hydrogen Peroxide at a local Taylor Maid Beauty Supply Store for just $4.00.

Elephant Toothpaste


3. Create your own zoo full of wild animals using these amazing patterns from first palate.

Folding Paper Zoo Animals

4. Make some Paper Plate Masks to wear as you party it up in the jungle.

Animal Masks

5. Tell this fun interactive Bear Hunt Story that you might remember acting out when you were a kid.

Going on a Bear Hunt Story


6. Read some fun wild animal books.

7. Watch a fun wild animal movie.

8. Build a Snow Bear.

We are reading the book "I am Malala" in our school class and apparently snow bears are much more common in the Swat Valley of Pakistan than more traditional snowmen. Try this multi-cultural version of snow play for a fun change.

9. Play Fox and Geese in the Snow.

Fox and Geese in the Snow


10. Make some paper plate animals for a fantastic menagerie wall display. They would make great decorations for the party.

Paper Plate Animals

11. Hunt for Peanuts. Give each party guest a bucket and instruct them to act like elephants as they hunt for shelled peanuts around the house. (Check for peanut allergies first.) The one with the most peanuts at the end wins.

12. Play Animal Charades.  Free printable animal charade cards are found at the link below from Layers of Learning.

Animal Charades Cards


13. Play Monkey Says or Go on a Stuffed Animal Safari. Instructions for these games and more are listed at the link below.

Lots of fun Safari Games!


14. Make some chocolate animal crackers. Check out the other food animals at the great site below. I think the snake is especially cute!

Chocolate Animals Crackers

15. Dance to this crazy, popular wild animal video.

What does the Fox Say?

Have fun making a wild rumpus around your house this winter!