40 classroom reward ideas that aren't candy
The rewards students remember are time, choice and attention, and almost all of them are free. These forty need no food and little or no money: small individual rewards, ways to recognize a student, whole-class rewards for a goal met together, and privileges that work with older students. Each one says what to do, what you need and the grades it suits.
Small individual rewards
1. A square on the sticker chart
Give a sticker for a specific goal you named in advance, such as "started work without a reminder." A full row earns a choice from this list.
Grades K–3You need A weekly sticker chart and stickersUse Weekly sticker chart
2. A bookmark to color
Keep a stack of bookmarks to color in a drawer. A student who earns one colors it during quiet time and keeps it in their reading book.
Grades K–3You need Printed bookmarks to colorUse Pattern bookmarks to color, Nature bookmarks to color
3. Pick a seat for the day
The student chooses where to sit for one day, as long as they can still see the board and do their work there. Agree on the seat before the day starts.
Grades 1–8You need Nothing
4. Sit in the teacher's chair
The student sits in your chair for one lesson or for silent reading. Younger students love it, and it costs you only a lesson standing up.
Grades K–5You need Your chair
5. Use the special pen
The student uses the special pen or marker for the day and returns it at dismissal. Keep it in a pencil case marked "Reward pen."
Grades K–5You need A set of gel pens or a marker kept for the purpose
6. Shoes off for the day
The student takes their shoes off in the classroom for the day and keeps them under their chair. Check that your school allows it first.
Grades K–5You need Nothing (check your school's rules)
7. Desk buddy
The student keeps a stuffed animal on their desk for the day. It stays on the desk during lessons and goes home or back to the shelf at dismissal.
Grades K–2You need A small soft toy from home or from your shelf
8. Work in the cozy spot
The student does independent work in the cozy spot of the room for one work period, as long as the work still gets done.
Grades K–5You need A beanbag, rug or corner with cushions
9. Teacher's helper for a day
The student does your errands for the day: handing out papers, taking a note to the office, choosing the next song for clean-up.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
10. First pick at choice time
The student chooses their activity first at the next choice time or indoor recess, before anyone else picks.
Grades K–3You need Choice-time activities
11. Choose the brain break
The student picks the class's next brain break and leads it at the front of the room.
Grades K–5You need The brain break cards or wheelUse Brain break cards, Brain break wheel
12. Read to a younger class
The student practices a picture book and reads it aloud to a kindergarten or first grade class. Arrange the visit with the other teacher first.
Grades 2–5You need A practiced picture book and a teacher partner in a younger grade
Recognition
13. A certificate
Make a certificate that names the specific thing the student did ("for helping a new classmate find their way all week") and hand it over in front of the class.
Grades K–8You need The certificate makerUse Certificate maker
14. Student of the week
Choose a student each week so that everyone has a turn by the end of the year. Post their certificate and an "all about me" page by the door.
Grades K–5You need A student of the week certificate and a display spotUse Student of the week certificate
15. A positive note home
Write two specific sentences about what the student did well and send the note home in their folder. Keep a class list to make sure every student gets one.
Grades K–8You need Note cards or half sheets
16. A good-news phone call home
Call home with good news only, in two minutes: what the student did and why it mattered. Families rarely get calls like this, and they remember them.
Grades K–8You need The family's phone number from your school's records
17. The shout-out board
Students and you write short shout-outs on sticky notes about a classmate's kindness or effort, and post them on the board. Read a few aloud on Friday.
Grades K–8You need A board or chart and sticky notes
18. A good-news visit to the principal
Send the student to the principal's office with a note about something they did well. Tell the principal first so the visit is a warm one.
Grades K–5You need A note for the principal, arranged in advance
19. A recess game with the teacher
The student chooses a game and you play it with them and a friend for part of recess. Time with you is often the reward students value most.
Grades K–5You need Recess time
20. A mention in the class newsletter
Mention the student's achievement in the class newsletter by first name only. Check your school's rules on naming students before you publish.
Grades 2–8You need Your class newsletterUse Class newsletter maker
Whole-class rewards
21. A team points goal
Tables or teams earn points for a goal you name, such as fast transitions. When the class total reaches the goal, the class picks a reward from this list.
Grades K–8You need A team points chartUse Team points chart
22. Extra recess
Add five or ten minutes to the next recess. Tell the class exactly what earned it so the link between the goal and the reward is clear.
Grades K–5You need Five or ten minutes
23. A lesson outside
Teach one lesson outside on a nice day. Read aloud under a tree, do math with chalk, or take a nature walk for a science lesson.
Grades K–8You need A lesson that travels: a read-aloud, a math game, a nature walk
24. Comfy clothes day
The class may wear comfortable clothes or pajamas on a set day. Send a note home in advance, and check it fits your school's dress rules.
Grades K–8You need A note home a few days ahead
25. Hat day
Everyone may wear a hat in class for a day. Check your school's rules and send a short note home so nobody is left out on the day.
Grades K–8You need A note home a few days ahead
26. A three-minute dance party
Play one song and the whole class dances at their desks for three minutes, then sits down for the next lesson.
Grades K–5You need A clean, upbeat song you have checked
27. Board game afternoon
Give the last thirty minutes of a Friday to board games in small groups. Ask families to lend games with all their pieces.
Grades K–8You need Board games and card games from home or the classroom shelf
28. Flashlight reading
Dim the lights and students read with flashlights in their own spot for twenty minutes. Send a note home a few days ahead so students can bring one.
Grades 1–5You need Flashlights from home, lights dimmed
29. Directed drawing session
Lead the class step by step through drawing an animal or a scene on the board, then let them add color and a background.
Grades K–5You need Paper and pencils
30. A mystery reader
Invite a guest, such as a family member, the principal or the librarian, to read a book to the class. Give clues about who it is during the morning.
Grades K–3You need A guest reader arranged in advance
31. Teach the teacher
Students teach the class a skill they have, such as a magic trick, a paper fold or a drawing tip, in two or three minutes each.
Grades 2–8You need Time for short talks
32. The class's favorite game
Give fifteen minutes to the class's favorite indoor game: a guessing game, silent ball with a soft ball, or four corners.
Grades K–5You need Fifteen minutes
33. A science video of the class's choice
The class votes on a short science or nature video from three you have previewed, and watches it together on Friday.
Grades 2–8You need A short educational video you've previewed
Privileges that work with older students
34. Choose your seat for a week
The student picks their seat for the following week, as long as they can still focus there. It is one of the rewards older students ask for most.
Grades 5–8You need A seating chart you can update
35. Music while you work
Students who earned it may listen to music through headphones during independent work. Agree that the work still has to be finished.
Grades 5–8You need Headphones from home, if your school allows them
36. A homework pass
The pass excuses one homework assignment of the student's choice. Decide in advance which assignments it can't be used on, such as a project.
Grades 3–8You need Printed passes
37. Skip one problem
The pass lets the student skip any one problem on a practice sheet. It feels generous to students and costs very little learning.
Grades 4–8You need Printed passes
38. A free reading period
The student or the class gets a period of free reading with any book they like, anywhere in the room.
Grades 3–8You need Books students chose themselves
39. Choose the order of the day
The student or the class chooses the order of the morning's tasks, within the times you need to keep fixed.
Grades 4–8You need The day's schedule
40. Run the review game
The student runs the next review game as host: reading the questions, keeping score and calling on teams.
Grades 4–8You need A review game boardUse Review game board maker
Making it work
- Name the behavior before the reward, and in specific words: "You started your work straight away" teaches more than "Good job."
- Use a reward goal tracker for a whole-class goal so everyone can see how close it is.
- Let students choose from a short menu of rewards. A reward a student picked is worth more to them than one you picked.
- Keep the cost close to zero. Time, choice and attention cost nothing and don't run out.
- Make sure every student gets recognized during the year. A class list with a tick for each positive note or call keeps it fair.
Questions teachers ask
- Why avoid food as a classroom reward?
- Many schools have wellness policies that limit food rewards, and some students have food allergies or dietary needs. Non-food rewards avoid both problems and are usually cheaper. Check your school's policy before using any food in class.
- What rewards do older students actually want?
- Choice and freedom: picking their seat, music during work, a homework pass, running a game. Older students tend to care less about stickers and more about being trusted with something.
- Should the whole class lose a reward because of a few students?
- Most teachers find that punishing everyone for a few students' behavior breeds resentment. Use team or individual goals for behavior, and keep whole-class rewards for goals the class can genuinely meet together.
- How often should students earn rewards?
- Often at the start of the year while routines are new, then less often as they become habits. Specific praise every day matters more than how often a bigger reward comes round.
Written for teachers by Peabody Teach. No ads, no affiliate links. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.