Our house rules
- Use kind words
- Keep hands and feet to yourself
- Use an inside voice
- Put toys away when you finish
- Tell the truth
We agree
dailyhabitai.com/tools/house-rules/
FAMILY RULES POSTER · 4 DESIGNS · PRINTABLE
House rules for kids: free printable family rules poster
Make a printable house rules poster for kids: pick positive rules by age, edit them, choose one of 4 designs, then print one page or save an image. Free.
Four or five short rules, with a picture each.
The short answer
Good house rules for kids are few, short and positive: they say what to do, like "Walk inside" instead of "Don't run." Choose 2 to 3 rules for toddlers and preschoolers and up to 5 to 7 for older kids, post them where everyone can see them, and follow through the same way every time.
How to write house rules kids follow: 6 tips
- Keep the list short. The CDC notes that toddlers and preschoolers can learn and remember only 2 to 3 rules at a time, and suggests starting with one. Older children can handle about 5; a whole family, 5 to 7.
- Say what to do. “Walk inside” gives a child something to do and gives you something to praise; “Don’t run” only names the problem. The tool flags rules that start with “Don’t” or “No” and suggests a positive version.
- Be specific. The CDC advises against vague rules like “Be good”. “Put toys away when you finish” is a rule a child can check.
- Post it where everyone sees it, such as the fridge or a door, and use pictures for children who cannot read yet.
- Follow through the same way every time. Consistency from every adult who looks after your child is what makes a rule mean something, and praise when the rule is followed matters as much.
- Review the list every few months. Retire rules nobody needs anymore and let older kids help write the next ones.
Positive house rules: say it this way
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| No name-calling | Use kind words |
| No hitting or kicking | Keep hands and feet to yourself |
| No yelling | Use an inside voice |
| Don't be rude | Say please and thank you |
| Don't interrupt | Wait for your turn to talk |
| Don't grab | Share and take turns |
| Don't barge in | Knock before you open a closed door |
| Don't lie | Tell the truth |
| Don't just walk away | Say sorry and help make it right |
| Stop ignoring me | Listen the first time |
| Don't run in the house | Walk inside, run outside |
| No climbing on the furniture | Sit on chairs, stand on the floor |
House rules by age
| Age | Starter rules | Why this many |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 2 to 4 | Keep hands and feet to yourself; Walk inside, run outside; Put toys away when you finish | Two or three rules: the CDC notes toddlers and preschoolers can learn and remember only 2 to 3 at a time. Pictures do the reading. |
| Ages 5 to 8 | Use kind words; Keep hands and feet to yourself; Use an inside voice; Put toys away when you finish; Tell the truth | Four or five short rules, with a picture each. |
| Ages 9 to 12 | Use kind words; Tell the truth; Knock before you open a closed door; Homework first, then play; Screens stay off at the table; Clear your plate after meals | Five or six rules. Ask your child to write one of them. |
| Teens | Tell us where you are going and when you will be back; Text if you will be late; Ask before friends come over; Screens off an hour before bed; Treat everyone's things with care; Leave shared spaces the way you found them | Fewer rules, more agreements: agree on them together and review them as trust grows. |
| Whole family | Use kind words; Tell the truth; Listen the first time; Screens stay off at the table; Leave shared spaces the way you found them; Say sorry and help make it right; We say I love you every day | Rules for everyone, grown-ups included. Kids follow what they see. |
Rules work best next to routines and praise. The reward chart turns one rule into stickers toward a small reward, the chore chart maker makes “help with one chore every day” concrete, and a visual schedule shows young children the steps of the day in pictures. For screen rules, the screen time calculator shows where the hours go.
This page gives everyday parenting ideas, not medical or psychological advice. If behavior worries you, talk to your pediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
What are good house rules for kids?
Short rules that say what to do and cover what matters most in your home: kind words, hands to yourself, tidying up, telling the truth and screens off at the table are common choices. Pick the age set above for a starting list, then change the wording to sound like your family.
How many house rules should kids have?
Fewer than most families expect. The CDC notes that toddlers and preschoolers can learn and remember only 2 to 3 rules at a time. School-age children can manage about 5; for the whole family, 5 to 7 is plenty. Add a rule only when an old one is working.
Why should house rules be positive?
A positive rule tells a child exactly what to do. "Don't run" names the problem; "Walk inside" names the behavior you want to see, which is easier to follow and to praise. The CDC advises against vague rules like "be good" and suggests saying the expected behavior.
What house rules work for teenagers?
Agreements more than rules: say where you are going and when you will be back, text if you will be late, ask before friends come over and keep screens out of the bedroom at night. Agree on them together, write them down and review them as trust grows.
What should happen when a rule is broken?
The same thing every time, calmly and right away, from every adult who looks after your child. Consistent follow-through is what makes a rule mean something. Notice and praise the times the rule is followed, too: that attention is often what changes behavior.
Should parents follow the house rules too?
Yes, where the rule fits them. Children copy what adults do, so "Screens stay off at the table" works best when the grown-ups' phones are away too. The Whole family set is written for everyone in the house.
Is my poster saved?
Yes, in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to our server and there is no sign-up. Print it, or save an image to print from your phone or share with another caregiver.
Sources and evidence
- CDC: Tips for creating rules (Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers) — Toddlers and preschoolers can learn and remember only 2 to 3 rules at a time, so start with one; avoid vague rules like "be good" and say the behavior you want; all caregivers should support the rules the same way; post the rules where everyone can see them, with pictures for children who cannot read.
- CDC: Tips for relying on routines and rules — Consistency, predictability and follow-through help children know what to expect and feel safe.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): What's the best way to discipline my child? — Set clear and consistent rules explained in words your child understands, notice and praise good behavior, model the behavior you want and give consequences calmly.