Magnetic Chore Chart
Turn everyday chores into a fun puzzle that kids can complete as they work through their tasks!
This magnetic chore chart is colour-coded, with each chore assigned to a section of the puzzle. As each chore is completed, the corresponding magnetic piece can be moved into place until the entire puzzle is finished.
For this project, you will use Cricut Print Then Cut to customise the chart with the chores you want to include, print the finished design and turn it into a reusable magnetic chart for your fridge.
What You'll Make
By the end of this project, you will have:
- A customised magnetic chore chart
- Up to six chores assigned to the puzzle
- A personalised title with your child's name, if desired
- Individual magnetic puzzle pieces
- An optional holographic laminate finish for extra protection and a little bit of fun
What you Will learn from this Tutorial:
Supplies
- Magnetic chore chart file
- Cricut Design Space
- Cricut machine with Print Then Cut
- Home printer
- Printable vinyl
- Magnetic sheet
- StrongGrip cutting mat
- Holographic laminate or another cold laminate – optional
- White crayon – helpful when working with glossy materials
- Deep-Point Blade – may be required for thicker magnetic sheets
Alternative Material
If you have printable magnetic sheets, you can print directly onto those instead of using printable vinyl and a separate magnetic sheet.
You can also print the project onto regular paper or another reinforced printable material if you don't want to make the finished project magnetic.
Want more designs? Check out the Chore Chart Magnet Bundle here:
Part 1: Upload the Chore Chart
Step 1: Upload the File
Open Cricut Design Space and start a new project.
Click Upload, locate your magnetic chore chart file and select Open.
This file has a simple upload process, so you don't need to make any adjustments on the initial upload screen.
Click Continue and then Upload.
Add the design to your canvas.
Step 2: Resize if Needed
Once the design is in Cricut Design Space, you may need to resize the file slightly.
You can also collapse the side panel to give yourself more room to work with the design.
Part 2: Choose Your Chores
Step 1: Ungroup the Design
Go to the Layers panel on the right-hand side of the screen and click Ungroup.
This allows you to work with the individual elements separately.
Move the additional chore options to the side of your canvas so that you can easily see and work with the main puzzle.
Step 2: Choose Up to Six Chores
The main chart allows you to choose up to six different chores.
Decide which chores you would like your child to complete and assign each one to a different coloured section of the puzzle.
For example, you could place:
- Pack away laundry on yellow
- Tidy my bedroom on orange
Continue adding your chosen chores until each section of the puzzle has been assigned.
You don't need to use the example chores exactly as shown. Choose the tasks that make the most sense for your child and your household.
2.3. Heading
Select the score square, the foil offset, and the outer project shape.
Attach them together by right-clicking then clicking attach, or click attach in the bottom-right corner so these layers stay together when the project is sent to the mat.
This is your Project layer, and will be cut second.
Move the attached group to the side, and you should see the dashed score square, the outer cut shape, and the foil outline move together.
Part 3: Personalise the Chore Chart
Step 1: Add Your Child's Name
If you would like to personalise the chart, click Text and type your child's name.
Position the name in the title area of the chore chart.
Step 2: Choose Your Font
You can use any font you prefer.
The font used in the workshop project is:
Romantic Absolute Sans Serif
If you would like to use the same font, select your text, open the font menu, choose System and search for the font.
Resize and position the name in the centre of the title area.
Part 4: Prepare the Design for Print Then Cut
Step 1: Flatten the Design
Once you are happy with your chore selections and personalisation, select all of the elements that make up the finished chart.
Click Flatten in the bottom right-hand corner of Cricut Design Space.
Flatten changes the design into a Print Then Cut project.
Instead of Cricut trying to cut every individual colour, word and design element, the entire design will print as one image before Cricut cuts the required shapes.
Step 2: Check for a Size Warning
Look at your flattened layer in the Layers panel.
If you see an error telling you that the printable design is too large, click Resize Image.
The original file has been optimised for US Letter paper, so you may see this warning depending on your paper size and Design Space settings.
Cricut will make a very small adjustment so that the design fits within the available Print Then Cut area.
Step 3: Remove Unused Chores
Delete any additional chore options that you did not use.
You only need the finished customised design when you send the project to Make.
Part 5: Choose How You Want to Make the Magnetic Chart
There are two main material options for this project.
Option 1: Printable Magnetic Sheet
If you have a thin printable magnetic sheet, you can run the magnetic material directly through your printer.
This removes the need to combine printable vinyl with a separate magnetic sheet.
Option 2: Printable Vinyl + Magnetic Sheet
This is the method demonstrated in the workshop.
Print the design onto printable vinyl first. You will then apply the printable vinyl to a separate magnetic sheet before cutting the entire project with your Cricut.
This method also allows you to add a holographic laminate over the printed design before applying it to the magnet.
Part 6: Print the Chore Chart
Step 1: Click Make
Once your design is ready, click Make.
You may want to save your project at this stage because you have already spent time customising your chore choices and adding a name.
Don't make any unnecessary adjustments on the preparation screen.
Click Continue.
Step 2: Send the Design to Your Printer
Click Send to Printer.
Turn Use System Dialog on and click Print.
Open your printer preferences.
If you're printing onto printable vinyl, change your paper type from Plain Paper to:
Photo Paper Glossy
Change the print quality from Standard to High.
Click OK.
Make sure your printable vinyl is loaded into your printer and then click Print.
Step 3: Check the Printed Page
Once the page has printed, take a moment to check it before continuing.
You should be able to see:
- Your complete chore chart design
- The Print Then Cut registration marks in the corners
- At least approximately half an inch of printable margin around the design
- A straight, correctly positioned design
Do not trim the registration marks from the page. Your Cricut needs these to determine exactly where to cut.
Part 7: Add the Optional Holographic Laminate
The holographic laminate is optional, but it adds a fun finish while also protecting the printed surface.
Step 1: Cut the Laminate Down
You don't need to use an entire sheet of laminate if your printed design doesn't fill the page.
Cut the laminate down so that you only use the amount required to cover your project.
Be careful not to cover or interfere with the Cricut registration marks.
Step 2: Start in One Section
Peel back a small portion of the laminate backing.
Position the exposed adhesive onto your printed page and press it into place.
Step 3: Apply the Laminate
Lift the laminate slightly and gradually pull away the backing while flattening the laminate onto the printed vinyl.
Work across the page and smooth out any bubbles as you go.
Part 8: Apply the Printable Vinyl to the Magnet Sheet
If you printed directly onto printable magnetic material, you can skip this section.
If you're using printable vinyl and a separate magnetic sheet, you now need to combine the two materials.
Step 1: Position the Printed Design
Place your printed and laminated design over the magnetic sheet to determine how much magnetic material you need.
You don't need to use an entire magnetic sheet if your project only requires a portion of it.
Step 2: Apply the Vinyl
Remove the backing from your printable vinyl and carefully apply it to the magnetic sheet.
Smooth the vinyl down firmly so that it is securely attached and remove any bubbles.
Step 3: Don't Trim the Registration Marks
Do not trim away the edges of the printed page if doing so will remove or interfere with the Print Then Cut registration marks.
Your Cricut still needs to scan these marks before it can accurately cut the project.
Part 9: Reduce Glare on the Registration Marks
Glossy printable vinyl and holographic laminate can sometimes reflect light and make it more difficult for the Cricut sensor to read the Print Then Cut registration marks.
A simple way to reduce that glare is to use a white crayon.
Lightly colour over the black registration marks with the white crayon.
You aren't trying to completely cover the marks. The wax simply helps dull the glossy surface so that the Cricut sensor can see them more clearly.
Part 10: Choose Your Magnetic Material Setting
The correct cut setting will depend on the magnetic material you're using.
In Cricut Design Space, click Browse All Materials and search for:
Magnetic
You may see several options.
Printable Magnetic Sheet
If you're using a thin printable magnetic sheet that went directly through your printer, the Printable Magnetic Sheet setting should be suitable.
Thicker Magnetic Sheet
For a thicker magnetic material, you may need to use either the:
- 0.5 mm Magnet Sheet setting
- 0.6 mm Magnet Sheet setting
Thicker and harder magnetic materials require considerably more cutting pressure.
You may also need to use the Deep-Point Blade for these materials.
The Deep-Point Blade is the black blade rather than the regular silver Fine-Point Blade.
Choose the setting that most closely matches the thickness of your magnetic sheet.
Part 11: Cut the Chore Chart
Step 1: Place the Project on Your Mat
Place your magnetic project onto a StrongGrip cutting mat.
Make sure the material is firmly attached to the mat before loading it into your Cricut.
Step 2: Load the Mat
Load your mat into the Cricut and begin the cut.
Your Cricut will first scan the registration marks.
It will then use those marks to determine exactly where the individual sections of your printed chore chart need to be cut.
Step 3: Check the Cut
When your Cricut has finished cutting, check that the magnetic material has cut all the way through before unloading the mat.
This is particularly important when working with thicker magnetic sheets.
If the cut hasn't gone all the way through, you can run another cutting pass while the mat is still loaded.
Once you're happy with the cut, unload your mat and carefully remove the pieces.
Your Magnetic Chore Chart Is Complete!
Your finished project is now ready to go onto your fridge or another magnetic surface.
Assign the chores at the beginning of the day or as part of your child's regular routine.
As each chore is completed, the corresponding magnetic puzzle piece can be put into place.
The goal is simple – complete the chores to complete the puzzle!
Because you customised the chores before printing, you can create a chart that works specifically for the routines you want your child to follow.
Want Different Chore Chart Options?
The additional chore chart options include designs that can be used for different types of routines, such as:
- A simple bubble list with:
- Several colour options
- Several font options
- A five-option circular chore chart
- The six-chore chart demonstrated in the workshop
- An eight-chore chart
This means you can create different charts for different routines rather than trying to fit every responsibility onto a single chore chart.
