In the elementary grades, privileges are often more exciting than “stuff.” Here is a list of low-cost and free student and class reward ideas plus some fun free downloads to add to your behavior management toolbox!
Individual Student Reward Ideas
The VIP Supply Kit
Let the student use a special bin of “fancy” supplies (smelly markers, glitter pens, or neon post-its) for one whole subject.
Shoes Off in the Classroom
Kids think this is the height of luxury. They can walk around in their socks for the afternoon.
Teacher’s Assistant for a Day
They get to sit at your desk, use your special teacher pen, and help you carry things to the office
The Positive Call Home
Call or email your students’ parents in front of them to share how they were the special Secret Student of the day. Positive parent phone calls are an important building block in a positive parent-teacher relationship, too.
Pick the Read-Aloud
Let a student choose the book for the afternoon story time or have ethe class vote on one.
Flashlight Reader
Let them use a small flashlight to read under their desk during independent reading time.
If you enjoy choosing secret students, grab this free “Secret Student Hallway Game” to make hallway management fun!
Whole Class Reward Ideas
Marble Jars
Create a system where the class can earn “marbles” for good hallway behavior, transitioning quickly, keeping their desks tidy, staying on task, etc. Each time the class meets the criteria, add a marble to a jar. Once the jar is full, try one of these class reward ideas!
Desk Swap Day
Everyone gets to move their desk to a new spot in the room for one day.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Everyone brings a stuffed animal from home to sit on their desk while they work.
Extra Brain Breaks
Let the class vote on what they want to do for a brain break or let them choose from this big list of brain break ideas!
The Picnic Lunch
If weather permits, take the whole class to eat lunch on the grass or at the playground instead of the cafeteria.
Homework Pass
Make a simple, printable coupon that lets students skip one night of homework.
More Class Reward Ideas
Glow-in-the-Dark STEM
Turn off the lights, give everyone a glow stick (low cost in bulk), and have them build structures with toothpicks and mini-marshmallows
Movie Day Activities
For larger class accomplishments or end of the quarter rewards, how about an educational movie afternoon or even a movie day? Grab these Free Movie Day Menus to use with any movie. Students practice math and ELA with movie related tasks!
How to Get Free Class Reward Items
Highlights Magazine Subscriptions
Highlights Magazine gives prizes to teachers when you send home the subscription forms. For each student subscribed, teachers can receive items for their classroom. there are often small trinkets, pencils, and stickers that are perfect for class rewards or in your prize box.
Scholastic Book Club Points
Use your Scholastic Book Club points to get books, stickers, pencils, bracelets, and more to use as whole class rewards.
Parent Donations
Small party favors and trinkets you can use as student reward items are perfect to put on your class wish list. Be sure to display your wish list at your back-to-school night, during conference time, and any open house events your school hosts.
Where to Get Low-Cost Class Reward Items
One of my favorite class reward ideas is to use party favors. The party favor and school supply sections at the following places have small items that can be great for class rewards. Check for items at these places:
- Oriental Trading Company
- Yard sales
- Dollar Tree
- Goodwill thrift stores
- Amazon
- Walmart
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or spend any money at all to reward your students. Try these class reward ideas and share them with your teacher friends!
Are you looking to add books to your classroom library this year? Visit this post for places to find low cost and free classroom library books!
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