10 Creative Rewards For Kids

Just as adults like to be rewarded for a job well done, children should be rewarded as well. Despite the fact that many children take an active interest in learning and getting high marks on their own, positive reinforcement is essential to maintain this interest over long periods of time. One aspect of parenting is providing this leadership and motivation through an effective reward system. Still, many parents feel concerned about just giving their children money as a reward for good behavior or grades. Fortunately, there are several creative ways of rewarding children for good grades without handing over cash. Here are 10 creative reward ideas for kids that are small, cheap, and fun! These can be used to reward one time achievements or they can be child reward system ideas when trying to encourage good habits.

Should parents offer rewards for good grades (or other good behaviors)?

Yes, rewarding your child can be a powerful incentive for children to learn to do the tight things. I know that some parents struggle with whether reward kids for good grades and wonder if they are like bribes. To those parents, I would ask if they would enjoy a bonus or raise for work well done at their job. The answer is clear. Although we don’t expect a raise or a bonus for a good day at work, we do want one for our annual review. Report cards are like students’ annual reviews. I don’t mean to say that they need a huge prize, we often keep it as simple as going out for ice cream together. The point is celebrating hard work and a job well done. Everyone enjoys positive feedback and it helps keep them motivated to keep achieving.

Remember to recognize your child for even the small achievements like consistently doing their homework without you having to ask them to do so. You may find a reward chart with stickers motivates your child to continue working hard on a day-to-day basis. When young kids learn a new skill, a fun activity to reward a good job serves as a great motivator to continue their interest.

In addition, to these rewards for kids, your full attention to what your child wants to share or do is a powerful incentive in itself. Kids naturally yearn for parental approval. Show them that you value hard work and education through your words and your actions. Below we have listed 10 rewards for good grades or good behavior.

10 Fun Reward Ideas For Kids

These good behavior reward ideas will help to celebrate the students’ achievements. Good grades on report cards take a lot of consistent work to achieve. Winning a sports game usually takes a lot of practice. Acing a standardized test means you have probably been working hard all year. Cleaning up your room without having to asked deserves a reward! These ideas are good rewards for kids when you want to say, “I see you working hard and I am proud of you.” These reward ideas are not centered on cash or prizes rather on celebration and enjoyment. Here is how to reward a child for good behavior in creative ways.

1. Verbal Acknowledgement

Wondering how to reward child for good behavior? Never discount the strength of saying a few kind words. Saying, “Great job on your hard work,” giving a hug, or throwing up a hand for a high five are all great ways to encourage your child’s strengths. Your child should never doubt how capable he or she is, especially when it comes to how you feel about his or her capabilities. In addition, you can hang up the report card or project on the refrigerator for others to see and comment on and so they know you are proud. These are small rewards for kids but ones that really count big time. We all like to feel appreciated.

2. Create A Savings Account

You might not want to hand money over to younger children, but you might consider putting it in a savings account that your child can watch grow. This practice will ensure your child has a good chunk of change saved by the time they graduate to buy a car, pay for college, or rent an apartment for a couple months. Ten dollars here and there really adds up over time!

3. Special Time

If you have several children, consider taking a day to spend a fun day with just the child you want to reward. Take a day trip just an hour away and do something fun. Go to the zoo or spend time at the beach. Quality time is one of the best reward ideas for kids because it deepens your bond and shows them you care. Young kids often yearn for special alone time with the parent and this is great bonding time.

4. Later Bedtime or Extra Screen Time

Want rewards for good grades? As children grow more responsible, many parents choose to increase the privileges they receive. To reward positive behavior, you might increase the time your child gets to spend on the computer, playing video games or watching television by 15 or 30 minutes. You may want to grant an extra 30 minutes to older children before bedtime or a short curfew expansion. This is a great way to acknowledge that your child has been living up to responsibilities and expectations. On the flip side, your child should realize that privileges can be lost if they stop applying themselves to their studies or act irresponsibly.

5. Books

If you are looking for tangible rewards, books make a great reward for children who love to read. Rewarding good grades with a new book encourages further education and they can take pride in owning the book. We normally go to the library for books. However, when they are doing well in school, we take a trip to the bookstore as a reward. The second hand book stores are incredibly reasonable so books make great small rewards for kids. As an added bonus, books are tangible gifts that can be treasured for a lifetime.

6. Family Night

If you have a planned family night, allow your child to choose the activity and menu for the night. Some fun ideas include a family game night, movie night, or miniature golf along with a pizza party and ice cream sundaes or s’mores. Celebrating with a family night allows the whole family to be involved in rewarding your child for their hard work. This is one of the fun rewards for kids that they will cherish.

7. Dinner of Their Choice

Whatever they decide to have for dinner, they get, no exceptions. If they only want to eat cake and ice cream, that’s fine. Kids find it enjoyable to break out of the ordinary, every day rules and do the unexpected. Let them have fun with it for one meal. Having cake for dinner one night won’t ruin them and will remind them how special they are. It is a cheap reward for kids that they are sure to love.

8. Give Them a Special Hobby Gift

This has the opportunity to be one of the most meaningful reward ideas for kids. Is there something your child has been wanting or wish they had more of? Acknowledge their hard work with a special gift. Art supplies or other hobby/craft supplies they enjoy will not only reward them but also inspire their creativity. Furthermore, knowing that they’ll get something they really want if they continue to do good, will keep them working hard. These great rewards may help kids find hidden talents.

9. Give Them a Week Off

What kid enjoys doing chores? None that I know of! Reward your child for their hard work by giving them a week off from doing any chores. Tell your child that they don’t have to make their bed, pick up their clothes, or any of the other chores they’re usually assigned. Let them off the hook and give them a week off from any extra work around the house. This just may be one of their favorite rewards for kids!

10. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Reward your child with a special surprise or gift for their hard work, but make them work for it. Create a scavenger hunt where they have to solve puzzles and riddles to find their surprise. They’ll enjoy the search almost as much as the surprise itself. And getting them involved in active, creative fun is always a good idea.

Child Reward System Ideas

The reward ideas listed above are great for saying I saw you did something good and I want you to know that I appreciated your effort. They can also be used as kids reward system ideas. Creating a reward system for kids can be an effective way to encourage positive behavior and help them develop good habits. In other words, a kids reward system is more systematic and is used for getting them to learn repeat behaviors like brushing their teeth, doing their daily homework, doing weekly chores, etc. Creating reward rules for kids can be a great way to encourage positive behavior and build good habits. Here are some steps to set up an effective reward system:

1. Identify Target Behaviors

• Behavior Goals: Choose specific behaviors you want to encourage (e.g., completing homework, making their bed, putting their toys away after they play).
• Clarity: Make sure the expectations are clear to your child. Use simple language and examples to explain what is expected.

2. Choose a Reward System Structure

• Sticker Reward Chart For Kids: Each time your child completes a target behavior, they earn a sticker. After accumulating a certain number, they can exchange them for a reward.
• Jar System: Use a jar or container where kids can add a small object (like a marble) each time they display the desired behavior. When the jar is full, they receive a reward.
• Reward Cards For Kids: Issue punch cards or sticker cards that can be redeemed once filled out. See these chore card examples or get my rewards cards for kids free printable pdf.

3. Determine Rewards

• Immediate Rewards: For younger children, rewards that can be given right away (e.g., a small treat, extra screen time) work best.
• Accumulated Rewards: For older children, allow them to save up for bigger rewards (e.g., a special outing, a new toy).
• Non-Material Rewards: These can include things like choosing a family activity, staying up 15 minutes later, or having extra time to play outside.

4. Set Achievable Goals

• Start Small: Begin with simple, easily achievable goals, especially if the behavior is new or challenging for your child.
• Gradual Progression: As your child becomes more consistent, gradually increase the difficulty or introduce new target behaviors.

This rewards system can help build good habits and reinforce positive behavior while also making it a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your child.

Conclusion On How To Reward Children

Yes, it’s okay to give children rewards for positive behavior. Rewards serve as positive reinforcement, encouraging children to repeat the behavior you want to see. When they know they’ll be rewarded, they’re more likely to engage in that behavior. Over time, rewarding positive behavior through a reward system for kids can help children develop good habits that become second nature, even without the reward. Rewards also work well for one time achievements. Rewards can be a strong motivator, especially for tasks or behaviors that children might find challenging or uninteresting. It gives them something to work towards.

Rewards provide immediate feedback, showing children the connection between their actions and positive outcomes. This immediate reinforcement is crucial, especially for younger children. And for older children, achieving a reward boosts a child’s confidence and self-esteem, as they see that their efforts are recognized and appreciated.

I hope you found this list of reward ideas useful. What type of rewards do your child tend to respond to most? Which of these reward ideas for kids with good grades do you think your child will enjoy the most?

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