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This app lets kids collect monsters as well as rewards for completing assigned chores. With two separate apps, one for kids and one for adults, ChoreMonster gives parents bonus features. The app charges a fee per household (not per app installed) but Mashable readers can use the invite code "MashMonster" to try it out.
Named as an Editor's Choice by bestappsforkids.com, You Rule lets kids choose their own avatars and earn coins for completing tasks. Coins unlock new characters and animations, and most importantly, go toward rewards on each child's personalized "wish list." You Rule even fosters some healthy competition, since the homepage lets you see how each person is doing on their chore lists. It costs $3.99.
Create a list of tasks for kids from categories like "chores," "behavior," and "responsibilities." Kids earn gold stars/points for completing tasks and red stars for forgetting to do something , which docks points from them. The ultimate goal is to score enough points/stars to cash in on rewards parents have set. The app even lets parents record "voice praises" that kids can hear after completing tasks. iReward was named the Best Parent App by MacWorld 2011 and Best Back-to-School App by Parents Magazine. It costs $4.99 (a LITE version will give you access to four tasks for one child).
This app has an easy-to-use interface for both kids and parents, as well as some fun animation. Using a lively house as its' backdrop, each kid get their own bedroom where they view their task lists and can pick prizes from a machine when those tasks are completed. Parents get their own bedroom that acts as a control center for setting up chores and rewards (the room is locked by a pin). HighScore House even lets kids decorate their own rooms, and the best part — it's free.
Chore Hero ranks participants — including mom and dad — on a scale from delinquent to hero based on how well they are doing on their task lists. The app also has a randomization option that picks someone to complete unassigned, usually unfavorable, tasks - so no one can complain about always getting stuck taking the trash out. It costs $2.99 in the app store.
ChoreMonster is the newest app to turn a seemingly endless list of kid-allergic chores into an interactive game. It gives kids a reason to get their tasks done and keeps parents from tirelessly nagging.
The app comes in two versions, one specifically for kids to use and one for parents. The adult version lets parents set up task lists, deadlines, rewards and points for completing tasks. Parents are also given the option to “accept” or “deny” a completion of a task to monitor how well their child is, for example, cleaning their room — kids don’t just automatically win the points.
When kids log in, they can see what needs to be done and what their rewards and points are for getting those items done.
The reward system creates “positive reinforcement” for kids to do things they may not normally be inclined to do, ChoreMonster’s CEO and co-founder Chris Bergman tells Mashable.
But the part kids will enjoy the most (other than maybe scoring a trip to Disney World for washing the dishes 500 times) is collecting humorous monster characters. Monsters are awarded after kids achieve certain task milestones. Bergman compares the monsters to FourSquare badges and kids are encouraged to collect the full set of monsters.
It’s important to create apps that engage parents and children in positive ways in the house, Bergman says. The app allows communication that can be done on a parent’s time schedule, he adds, since not all parents can monitor and reward kids for making their bed daily.
More importantly, Bergman says today’s generation is significantly more connected at a young age. Since kids are inheriting old phones and iPads from parents an app like ChoreMonster can give kids beneficial use of that technology.
Apps for kids can also foster a sense of responsibility and independence at a younger age as well.
“Sixty-two percent of kids under 12 have mobile devices,” Bergman says, adding it’s more beneficial to expose kids to essential tools of today’s culture so they can get a jump-start on understanding them.
ChoreMonster is still in private beta, but Mashable readers can use the code MashMonster to give it a try.
BONUS: 6 Social Media Sites for Minors
This site lets kids take on avatars of penguins and chat with friends on their "lists." Kids can only choose from pre-selected phrases (more than 300,000 in all) when chatting and unrecognized phrased must be approved by moderators. Parental controls are available to manage chat time as well. Kids can even earn "coins" in games — which they are encouraged to give to charity. The site is best for kids 8 and up.
On Everloop, kids create profile pages and can voice chat, post messages and photos, upload videos, join groups (on topics like math) and play games. The site is best for kids 10 and up and can be accessed for free. If parents sign up for their own account, they can monitor what kids have been up to on the site and control permissions on who kids can IM.
Fantage is a free, virtual world site for tweens where they can ride rocket boards around animated castles and cities. Kids go on quests and request buddies, block users and IM — which is filtered for profanity and personal info. It's best for kids 9 and older.
Franktown Rocks is the best site for kids interested in music. Kids trade in "Franks," earned by playing games, and use the Franks to buy items in the virtual world. Content is monitored and chatting can only be conducted through pre-selected words. The site is best for kids 9 and up, and helps foster music appreciation, with music choices that even tweens will find current.
On this site, kids take care of creatures to earn points to buy virtual items. Games are more entertaining than educational and it's best for kids 9 and up. The site makes sure to collect parent information and verification for kids under 13 who register on the site.
This site lets kids set up a page, friend other members and join "spheres" about certain TV, movies or music. It features a Facebook-like news feed and kids can even blog, play games and participate in chat rooms. Yoursphere — best for 9+ — vets sign-ups against a database of registered sex offenders and asks parents to register and undergo identification verification.
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I got access to Chore Monster a few weeks ago. My nephew has an iPod touch and we loaded it on there for him and have seen a little more urgency when doing chores. It isn’t a battle anymore.
Awesome, Kevin! Thanks for the comment. :)