10 Fun and Creative Reward Ideas for Kids

Rewarding kids for good behavior and accomplishments can improve motivation, self-esteem, routines, responsibility, and task completion in kids. Even the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discusses the use of rewards for kids like verbal praise, experiences, and certain items. It’s important that rewards are sustainable for parents and appealing to kids, but finding new ideas can be hard. 

In this article, we’ll go over 10 fun and creative reward ideas for kids and how to use them effectively. These include:

• Sticker charts 
• A treasure chest of prizes
• DIY reward coupons
• Special outings and activities
• Family game night
• Art supplies or craft kits
• Home movie nights
• Outdoor adventures
• The Joon App

The Joon App is a reward system and behavior management app for kids that plays like a game. It encourages independence and helps kids with ADHD and related disorders finish tasks like homework, school, and self-care or personal hygiene activities.

How does it work?

Parents assign tasks to their children in the Joon Parent App. When kids finish each task, they get incentives that let them continue playing the game and feed, bathe, or otherwise care for their virtual pet (called a "Doter") in Joon Pet Game. 

90% of kids finish all of their tasks with Joon, and parents often say the app has improved their parent-child relationship. 

Click here to try Joon for free.

Sticker Chart With Rewards

Reward charts are common and effective rewards for many families, but especially for those with younger kids who want to use a token economy-style reward system. Making a sticker chart for your child is a great way to give your child recognition for their behavior and let them work toward a bigger reward. 

How to create sticker charts for kids

Look for a free printable reward chart online to add stickers to once tasks are complete, or design your own sticker chart. Most often, sticker charts include boxes with specific tasks written out in each. Once your child finishes a task on the chart, they put a sticker over it. Some parents make a "star chart" by giving kids star-shaped stickers for the chart. 

Reward ideas for sticker charts

When using any type of token economy, you want to choose a reward that your unique child will want enough that they’re willing to work toward it. For example, you might use a toy, game, special treats, or extra time to watch TV as an incentive.

Treasure Chest of Prizes

If you have a young child, letting them fill a treasure box or chest full of prizes is a fabulous way to make a sustainable reward system. Parents can make this happen by buying or making a treasure chest for their child, getting prizes ready, and giving children prizes when they behave well or finish tasks.

How to set up a treasure box

Small toys, stickers, and other goodies may be included in the treasure chest. Some parents order a set of party supplies, small toys, temporary tattoos, or other desirable items online so that they have a stash ready.

Suggestions for how kids can earn prizes to add to the treasure box

Kids can earn prizes to add to their treasure chest by putting sustained effort into their homework assignments (ideally, parents should praise effort over good grades to teach kids helpful study habits), household chores, or self-care activities, like brushing their teeth.

DIY Reward Coupons

Redeemable coupons or certificates are fun rewards for kids because the child gets to choose when to use them. Coupons are also highly customizable, so they can be effective at different ages, similar to personalized rewards and token systems. 

How to create handmade reward coupons for kids

You can print and fill out reward coupons for kids, or you can cut them out and decorate them by hand. Adding bright colors or pictures can make the coupons more exciting or visually appealing.

Examples of rewards that can be offered through the use of coupons

Types of rewards for kids that can be offered in coupon form include but aren't limited to the following:

• Extra screen time
• Extra time for another desired activity
• Picking out new books at the bookstore or library to read before bed (for younger kids)
• Fun activities, such as a trip to the playground or park

Before making coupons, consider what kind of rewards you'll be able to offer when your child redeems them and how long they'll have to wait. For example, reward ideas like extra screen time are often doable for families no matter what day of the week it is.

Special Outing or Activity

Just as experiences make fantastic gifts for people of all ages, they make very positive rewards for kids. Experiences make such great rewards because they aren't material items and often double as a way to create enjoyable childhood memories.

Ideas for planning a special outing or activity as a reward for kids

Some of the possibilities here could depend on what’s available in your local area. Other activities can be more simple and might even take place at home. For example, baking treats like cookies at home could motivate a child who is interested in doing so; this is a common reward for younger children and can double as a way to teach kids critical math skills.

Suggestions for age-appropriate outings and activities

Separate from possible outdoor experiences, here are some outings and activities that could work as incentives for your child, depending on their age.

• Indoor trampoline parks
• Ball pits
• Children's museums
• Arcades 
• Baking 

The options are nearly limitless. Mini golf and indoor playgrounds are a few more examples of incentives that might be available in your area.

Personalized rewards

Sometimes, when you're looking for a reward that'll work for your child, the best thing you can do is to look for something that they already want. For example, a specific clothing item is something a child could work toward via token economy. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas of things that might work as rewards, think about things your child may already be doing and seem to enjoy (e.g., screen time; certain favorite toys) that you could have them earn instead of having access to these things non-contingently. A token economy involves saving up points, stickers on a behavior chart, checkmarks, or other ways of tallying good behavior over time to save up for a larger reward.

Tailoring rewards to each individual child's interests and preferences

Again, you can go for something specific that your child wants, like an experience or toy. However, if there's nothing your child has their eye on at this time, there are still ways to use personalized rewards as a form of positive reinforcement for your child.

Examples of personalized rewards that can be used to motivate and encourage kids

If there's not an item or experience your child has already told you they want, think about what they enjoy. Sometimes, the best way to discover a plausible personalized reward is to talk with your child directly. You might be surprised by what they say! 

Family Game Night

If your child asks you to play games with them often, a family game night could be an ideal reward. Family rewards like game or movie nights and experiences that involve other family members share the added bonus of giving you time together.

How family game night can be used as a reward for kids

If there's a specific game your child likes or asks to play often, it's a good sign that it could be an effective reward for them. Maybe your child asks to play Candyland repeatedly; this is a sign that this type of reward could be effective for your child.

Fun games and activities to include in family game night

Considering your child’s interests, here are some fun, family-friendly games parents can use as a reward for their kids. 

• Board games
• Jenga blocks
• Dance or sports games
• Karaoke games
• Card games

Games can be physical or digital. Letting your child pick games is best for optimal encouragement and motivation. 

Art Supplies or Craft Kits

Creative hobbies are amazing for kids. Making art can help relieve stress, boost confidence, aid emotional expression, and support fine motor skills. If you have a creative child, art supplies and craft kids can be ideal rewards. 

Recommendations for using art supplies or craft kits as rewards for creative children

Considering what’s appropriate for your child’s age group and interests, here are a couple of ideas for creative rewards for kids:

• Soap or candle-making kits
• Sand art-making kits
• Jewelry-making kits or supplies
• For older kids, special markers or pencils designed for artists

If the art supplies or kit your child is interested in is on the pricey side, this kind of reward may be best reserved for kids completing a behavior chart, star chart, or another form of token economy system.

Ideas for setting up a creative space where kids can use their rewards

A designated crafting space is a great idea for any creative child. Setting aside a specific area in your home where your child can make art or use craft kits can reduce the potential for a mess, too. For example, you might cover a desk in newspapers if paint, glitter glue, candle wax, and other potentially messy items are involved in some of the projects your child likes.

Movie Night with Popcorn and Snacks

Limiting screen time is important (and Joon can help you do it). Strike a balance by using movies and TV time as a reward; that way, your child will get to practice prioritizing tasks and will not over-consume media before completing their chores or homework. Like game nights, movie nights are a great option because they're family rewards that encourage togetherness. 

Suggestions for hosting a movie night as a reward for kids

To make a movie night a solid reward, let your child pick the movie night and add a few other special touches. Specifically, set out popcorn and snacks your child likes (they can help pick those, too) and create a fun or cozy environment.

Tips for creating a cozy movie-watching environment

There are a few different ways to make a movie night at home special. While you don't need to do all of these things at once, here are a couple of ideas:

• Make a DIY at-home movie theater with a projector
• Have the whole family put on pajamas first
• Make a blanket fort with lights

You can also invite younger kids to get stuffed animals ready to watch the movie alongside them or work together as a family to create your own traditions.

Outdoor Adventures 

Like art, time in nature is linked to a range of mental and physical health benefits, like better mood and decreased stress. The good news is that a lot of kids enjoy outdoor activities, so they can double as rewards for positive behavior.

Planning an outdoor adventure as a reward for kids

When you plan an outdoor adventure as a reward for kids, first consider what the reward is for. As an example, if your child has a reward chart that requires them to complete multiple tasks, a bigger reward, like a trip to the zoo or waterpark, is likely more suitable than it would be for one chore alone. It is ideal to have some rewards you can deliver daily (i.e., smaller rewards) as well as some that you reward for more sustained and consistent behaviors (e.g., over many days) that you can reward weekly or monthly.

Suggestions for age-appropriate outdoor activities and excursions

Like some other rewards, the reward ideas in this section you choose might depend on your child's age. Your location and current weather might also impact what's available to you at this time. Try these ideas:

• Time at the park
• Scavenger hunts
• Waterslides
• Swimming
• Petting zoo

Similar to how more expensive activities are likely best for kids filling out reward charts, more casual activities like an hour at the park can be better for kids getting rewarded for one task or period of good behavior.

The Joon App

The Joon App is an incredible mode of positive reinforcement for kids with ADHD, ODD, Autism, or challenges with organization, behavior, or task initiation and completion. Here are some of the features that make Joon special. 

Rewards within the app

With Joon, rewards are built into the app. That’s why it’s one of the best reward systems for kids; with rewards like coins and the ability to play mini-games or unlock more pets, parents don’t have to do anything except add and approve a child’s tasks to the Joon Parent App. Also, many of the rewards described above can even be provided as “custom rewards” from within the app so your child can potentially benefit from both in-app and out-of-app rewards!

Feedback from real parents

Joon has over 5.5k reviews from real parents in the App Store. Here’s some of what they’ve said: 

“I figured it couldn't hurt to try the free trial and cancel if my kids weren't interested, but to my pleasant surprise, they are! They have learned what chores give them points and have been excited to mark them complete. I still have to remind my kids to do their chores because they're not on their devices enough to get the push notifications themselves, but it does seem to be less of an effort to motivate them. The chores (quests) are easy to set up and assign, and it's easy for me to review the quests completed and give the kids their rewards.

I plan to explore some of the other types of quests other parents use (you can do this from templates) because I feel there are more things that could count as quests. I appreciate being able to use common quests that other parents have assigned because it helps provide inspiration! The "absolutely no physical violence toward siblings today" quest has been helpful for me (a parent template) but also validating for my daughter. She is proud when she can check that off because she has demonstrated strong impulse control and emotional management (ADHD challenges).

I hope the game continues to hold their interest, as we have been happy with these first few weeks!!” - SJW47.

“No more “I’m bored”, no more forgetting, and no more groans about chores! Joon has changed how my family does chores, reminders, wellness, all of it. My kiddo is excited to see the coin stash grow, and I’m thrilled I don’t have to nag. Chores are actually getting done now! 🙌 I love that you can create your own quests, add a bonus reward, and mark things complete on the parent’s end without the child having to do it. When my son gets bored, I tell him to check his Joon app, where I’ve plugged in all sorts of different activities and ideas he can do.” - JJW1012.

Conclusion and Recap

Rewarding your child for their good work, effort, or behavior can promote task completion, self-esteem, and drive, among other benefits in kids with ADHD and related disorders. Positive reinforcement is often effective for kids and is a better motivator than punishment, which can have negative or unintended consequences.

However, it can be hard to come up with new ideas. Check out some of the templates available in custom rewards in the Joon App for ideas! The rewards in this article should give your family new ideas for fun activities and items you can use to promote desired behavior in kids. Personalizing rewards and thinking about what your child is most likely to want or feel motivated by is a great way to choose rewards that offer the most encouragement. 

Verbal praise should be given alongside rewards for any achievement. That way, children receive encouragement and recognition while understanding how they earned certain items, like a sticker for a behavior chart, treats, or toys.

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