40 Classroom Reward Ideas (that are totally FREE!) 

Everyone enjoys being celebrated when they do something extraordinary. 

Our students are no different. 

Adding classroom rewards into your management system is a way to keep students engaged and excited to follow expectations. 

But how many of you are tired of constantly filling up a “treasure box” with little trinkets your students end up losing? 

One of the best pieces of advice I received from a veteran teacher was reward ideas that didn’t cost me a penny. 

And, honestly, I find students enjoy these options just as much (if not more) than the little trinkets you can find. 

The Ultimate Classroom Rewards List 

1. Extra Recess – trust me, this classic NEVER gets old!
   
2. Movie Day
   
3. Movie Day WITH POPCORN!!
   
4. Class Game Time – bring out the board games & card games, and invite students to bring in their favorite game from home. (It’s also a great way to secretly have your students practice lots of other skills!)
   
5. Lunch in the Classroom – I have never fully understood this….but they LOVE it
   
6. Pajama Day
   
7. Play a Kahoot / Blooket – if you haven’t tried bringing these into your classroom yet, you need to!
   
8. No shoes in class
   
9. Play Charades
   
10. Play “Minute to Win-it” games
    
11. Bring in a stuffed animal for the day
    
12. Extra computer time – I generally give my students a list of options when it comes to websites or apps they can use during this time
    
13. Play Heads up 7 up
    
14. Draw on whiteboards with Expo Markers
    
15. Play Silent Ball
    
16. Pick a song to play for the class
    
17. Listen to music during independent work time
    
18. Choose a directed drawing for the class – This account does a GREAT job!
    
19. Play Pictionary – Give the student an item to draw, they draw it on the whiteboard and the class guesses what they are drawing. You can split the class into two teams and see who gets the most right within a specific time period. 🙂
    
20. Sit in the teacher’s chair for a day
    
21. Show and Tell
    
22. Positive note home
    
23. Lunch with the teacher & a friend.
    
24. Sit by a friend for the day – as a note…I would still have some pretty serious expectations in place for this reward
    
25. Homework pass
    
26. Play Wordle – It’s a game where you guess the word. 🙂
    
27. Teach the class
    
28. Use a whiteboard for an assignment instead of paper
    
29. Sit in a special seat
    
30. Have class outside
    
31. Be the teacher’s assistant / run errands
    
32. Take a virtual field trip
    
33. Positive phone call home
    
34. Wear slippers in the classroom
    
35. Hat day
    
36. Escape Rooms
    
37. Play Four Corners
    
38. Choose your partner or group
    
39. Chat break for the class
    
40. Class kickball game

As you get to know your students better, don’t be afraid to add them to your list! Creating customized rewards is a GREAT way to show your students you care about them, know them, and want them to earn these rewards. 

No matter how you choose to have students collect points or earn chances to win these incentives, having some class-wide and individual classroom rewards to work towards can help your management style. 

Because just like us, kids love being rewarded and recognized for excellence. Whatever that looks like in your classroom. 

If you are still figuring out what you want this to look like in your classroom, read this post for my top 3 tips on how to master classroom management.