Family Tools has a unique reward system to motivate family members to participate in family organization. Users earn 10 stars (an in-app currency) for every task they complete, and parents can also add stars to each child to reward actions that happen outside the app. Then everyone has access to a store, where they can buy customization options for the app with their stars. The store’s inventory of icons, backgrounds, and color schemes changes every week in order to keep giving family members something to work toward.
This reward system can also be personalized to family needs and parent ideas. The amount of stars earned for completing tasks can be adjusted on an individual basis. This also applies to other in-app actions, such as adding list items and calendar events. Parents can add their own rewards to the store for kids to earn. This could be anything from a new toy, to ice cream sundaes, to a picnic at the park.
This system was recently updated from an EXP and “level up” system. If you have questions about the change, see the FAQs below:
Why do I get stars instead of EXP for completing tasks?
Shifting from an EXP system to in-app currency gives parents more power to motivate and reward their kids because they can choose how many stars kids earn for each task, set custom rewards in the store, and even change what the currency is called. It also allows users more control over what rewards they get rather than having to choose from a randomized assortment for each level.
What happened to my EXP from the old system?
Don’t worry–all your un-redeemed EXP was converted into stars. You also keep all the rewards you received for level-ups in the old system.
I miss being rewarded for everything. Can I still have that?
Yes! A parent (or user with permission) can change how many stars every action in Family Tools is worth. See How to Change Reward Amounts.
How do I get custom options now?
Go to the home page, then select the store icon in the top right corner. You’ll find several options to buy with your new stars, and they’ll change every week. This lets you have more control over what rewards you get.
What’s a goal? How do I set one?
A goal is a reward from the store that you choose to actively work toward. Even when the store inventory changes, your goal will remain available. Set one by tapping an item you can’t afford, then selecting Set Goal.
Why is something on the home page flashing?
Your icon and the store symbol will flash right after you get this update. This is simply to draw attention to the new features.
Later on, if you set up any custom rewards, you may see a family member’s icon flashing. In this case, that person has redeemed a custom reward. Select their icon to see what the reward is. When you fulfill it (by giving them an ice cream cone or taking them to a movie, for example), you can check it off to make the icon stop flashing.
When I tap someone else’s icon, what is this slideover with the stars for?
It’s designed to let parents reward children directly for helping with family organization. It allows users with permission to add or remove stars themselves, and see how many stars a user has earned.
How do I access non-email accounts now?
Tap the icon as usual, then use the button at the bottom of the slideover.
What happened to the daily login bonus?
It was removed, partly to put parents in control of rewarding kids for logging in. By selecting a user’s icon on the home screen, you can see their login streak and add however many stars you want to reward them with for that streak.