Move Over, Extra Recess: New Ideas for Classroom Rewards
Your students work hard all year long (and so do you!). They deserve to be rewarded for their efforts, and while you might think of providing a sweet treat for them, more schools are moving away from snacks in favor of non-food classroom incentives. Sure, you can always offer extra recess, but if you’re looking for creative suggestions that won’t break the bank and don’t take a lot of time to set up, check out these classroom rewards:
Camping in the Classroom
Let your students kick back and relax on a camping trip, right in your own room. Check out some of these fun ideas to get you started, from creating a fake campfire to using plastic tablecloths to create tents.
Classroom Bucks
Here’s a cute idea to reward good behavior. Let students earn class money for completing homework, helping other students, and any other positive behavior you want to reinforce. Every so often, students can shop in a class store for items (think pencils, erasers, highlighters).
Costume Fun
Let students come to class dressed as their sports hero, favorite book character, or character from their favorite TV show. Hold a fashion show for students to “walk the runway” and show off their style. This can be the perfect ending to a class wax museum project.
Create a Collaboration
Work together on a class-wide project like setting up dominoes or building a house of cards, or try one of these games. You’ll have fun while teaching your students how to collaborate.
Fancy Friday
Show off your students’ success by looking the part. Encourage your students to celebrate an achievement with a Fancy Friday. Have students dress up in their fanciest clothes and hold a tea party or read books with “fancy” characters like this one.
Flashlight Fun
Have students bring flashlights to school, and have a few extras on hand, for a fun flashlight day. Find inspirational ideas here, including shadow puppets, reading by flashlight, and more.
Furry Friends
Reward your class by holding a “bring your stuffed animal to school” day. You can hand out cute coupons like these, and then plan a couple of fun activities for the kids to do with their stuffies, like reading books or watching a movie.
Just for Laughs
Is your class full of clowns? Set aside an hour for a stand-up comedy show. Gather a few joke books or find kid-friendly jokes online and let your students choose their favorites. Set up a microphone stand (use a paper towel roll to make a fake microphone) and let the laughs begin.
Pajama Day
Every day’s better when you get to spend it in your jammies! Hold a pajama day and invite students to come to class in their PJs, complete with slippers. You can even incorporate some educational aspects with these activities.
Special Lunch
We know your value your lunch break (time to regroup!) but your students will love having lunch in the classroom with you. And, having lunch with your students has many benefits. Schedule a special date to reward their hard work and enjoy your mid-day meal together.

These delightful books extend the reading experience far beyond the pages as students read about a song, game, or craft that lends itself to quick, easy, and fun classroom activities.
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