Parents praise 'game-changing' reward app that makes chores fun for kids

Whether you're eyeing up plates left on top of the dishwasher rather than inside it, glowering at piles of clean washing now in a heap on the floor rather than put away properly or wondering why you always end up clearing the table, trying to get kids involved in regular household jobs can feel like a constant challenge. It also often leads to strops and ill-feeling on all sides.

Encouraging children and teens to take part in household chores is not only a great way of feeling like you're all part of the same team and sharing some of the load, but it gives them vital skills for adulthood. But if it feels like a relentless struggle you're not alone.

But while no child really wants to do chores, a recently-launched app could just be a game-changer. The concept of gamification in tech has become increasingly popular in recent years, taking mundane or routine tasks and transforming into habit-forming games.

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Perhaps the most popular, and a lockdown staple for many, is Duolingo. The app focuses on completing small, regular tasks that gradually build momentum towards learning a language - all overseen by a slightly passive aggressive owl who sends you messages of congratulation when you're doing well but nudges you to keep going if you don't log in for a while.

Now, a new app called Chorly aims to apply this gamification technique to children's chores - and with a friendlier looking mascot to boot. Within the app, you can create custom chore lists for each family member, and when they're completed they can be ticked off for rewards - and part of the genius of it is they don't even have to be financial ones.

Once a task is done, your child can add photographic evidence to ensure there's no cheating. You can also set clear goals for regular chore completion.

As each task is completed, your child will accrue points that go towards various prizes you can set up for them, such as toys, pocket money, a trip away or even something as simple as a delayed bedtime, reports the Express.

For instance, you could set a target of 2,000 points, at which point your kids will finally earn the family cat they've been longing for. This not only acts as a great incentive for children to do their chores, but it also helps establish positive habits.

For example, keeping their room tidy might become second nature if they consistently track their chores on the app. The visual list of completed tasks and accumulated points also offers a sense of achievement, along with the personal pride they'll feel in contributing to the household, and the long-term goals will encourage patience and a proactive, step-by-step approach that can be applied to life's various challenges.

Chorly is available on both iOS and Android, and currently, there's a chance to snag a 40% discount on a Chorly subscription using the promo code 40OFF. Early feedback on the Google Play store has been favourable.

"I love this app," raved one five-star review. "It's simple and I can tell the app can be more than what it offers right now. I like the bells and whistles when it comes to organising... I've used it almost a week now and my kids are asking what else can they do."

Over on the Apple App Store, Chorly boasts an impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

"I love how Chorly encourages my kids to do chores. My daughter now actually walks the dog and cleans her room properly to earn gift cards that I buy for her through the app. The proof and approval feature is fantastic for busy parents like me! " exclaimed a satisfied parent.

One user, a mother of three, praised the app for its simplicity and effectiveness: "As a mom of three, this app is a game changer! It's simple enough for my 5-year-old to use since they have view for small kids who don't have phones, and the rewards system motivates all of them without. Chorly has made our chaotic routine manageable and even enjoyable! "

However, some users expressed disappointment over it being a subscription service. One such user stated: "I don't like that it's a subscription. I wish it were free, with the option to subscribe," Others reported encountering bugs, a common issue with newly released apps: "So far, love the app. Just one big problem. It keeps logging us out. It won't let us stay logged in which is making it very inconvenient."

Other habit-forming apps you might consider include Habitica, which gamifies your to-do lists and desired habits or Habit Tracker which is another popular option on iOS, although this are more aimed at adults than children.

Chorly has a family-oriented setup and child-friendly interface, allowing children to be set up on it even if they don't have a phone. To give it a try with a 40% discount use the code 40OFF at signup.