Family Kanban Board: Chores, Plans and Shared To-Dos
A family Kanban board shows everyone what needs doing – and what’s already done. Set one up in 15 minutes, learn what to put on it, make it work for kids and copy three real family boards.
Quick answer: A family Kanban board is a shared board where chores, plans and to-dos are cards that move from To Do to This Week, Doing and Done. Give each family member a colour, hold a 15-minute Sunday meeting and let kids move their own cards.
1. Key Takeaways
- A family Kanban board puts chores, plans and shared to-dos where everyone can see them.
- Four columns are enough: To Do, This Week, Doing and Done.
- One colour per family member shows who does what.
- Kids can use family Kanban from about age four with picture cards.
- A 15-minute Sunday meeting keeps it alive.
2. What Is a Family Kanban Board?
A family Kanban board is a shared board where chores, appointments, plans and to-dos are cards that everyone in the family can see and move from To Do to Done.
Instead of one parent remembering everything – and reminding everyone else – the board does the remembering. Kids see what is expected, parents see what is happening, and the Done column shows how much the family achieved.
3. How to Set Up a Family Kanban Board
To set up a family Kanban board, gather everyone, create four columns, add chores and plans, give each person a colour, agree simple rules and celebrate Done every week.
- Gather everyone. Kids old enough to read can join.
- Create 4 columns. To Do, This Week, Doing and Done.
- Add chores and plans. One card each; add photos for little ones.
- Colour by person. Each family member gets a label colour.
- Set simple rules. Finish one before starting the next.
- Celebrate Done. Review on Sunday and reward a full Done column.
4. What to Put on a Family Board
A family board can hold chores, meal plans and shopping, appointments, school work, trips and weekends, and home repairs.
5. Family Kanban Board Examples
Here are three family Kanban board examples built in PlanBoards.
Family Kanban board
To Do, This Week, Doing and Done, with the chore chart, family calendar and meal plan as image cards.
Weekend and holiday plans
Ideas, Planned, This Weekend and Memories – with a packing checklist for a weekend away and photos of good days.
Kids’ chores board
To Do, Doing, Done and Rewards: ten cards done means a hot chocolate at the café.
Copy these family boards into PlanBoards
Colour-coded lists, cards with images, checklists and due dates – on Android, iPhone, tablet and desktop.
Free to use
6. Kanban for Kids
For young children use picture cards and only three columns; older kids can own their colour, use checklists and track due dates.
7. A Simple Family Kanban Week
A family Kanban week needs a 15-minute Sunday meeting, a two-minute daily check and one fun plan for the weekend.
8. Paper Board or Shared App?
A paper board on the fridge is great for little ones; a shared app goes everywhere, adds reminders and photos, and lets parents update it from work.
| Fridge or wall board | Shared app | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Young children | Busy families, teens |
| Where | At home only | Everyone’s phone |
| Extras | Stickers, magnets | Due dates, photos, checklists |
| Updates | When you’re home | From anywhere |
9. Family Kanban FAQ
These are the questions parents ask when they start a family Kanban board.
What is a family Kanban board?
A shared board where the whole family sees chores, plans and to-dos as cards that move from To Do to Doing and Done.
What columns should a family Kanban board have?
To Do, This Week, Doing and Done work for most families. Kids’ boards can be just To Do, Doing and Done.
At what age can children use Kanban?
Children as young as four can move picture cards. From around eight, kids can manage their own cards with colours, checklists and due dates.
How do we stop the board from being ignored?
Hold a short Sunday family meeting at the board, let kids move their own cards and celebrate a full Done column.
Should we use a paper board or an app?
A fridge or wall board is great for young kids. A shared app works everywhere, adds reminders and photos, and lets parents update it from work.
Is PlanBoards free for families?
Yes. PlanBoards is free to use, and you can share a board with everyone in the family.
10. Sources and Further Reading
These are the sources behind this guide.
- Benson, J. & DeMaria Barry, T. (2011). Personal Kanban: Mapping Work, Navigating Life. Modus Cooperandi Press.
- Wikipedia: Kanban board · Chore chart
- Personal Kanban. personalkanban.com.
Related pages: Family · Personal · Sharing Cards
One board for the whole family.
Share it in PlanBoards.
Free to use