5 Reward Ideas to Motivate and Inspire Your Kids

Rewards for Kids: 5 Ideas to Motivate and Inspire Your Kids

Rewards for kids are great incentives for jobs well done. Find out here five smart ideas to motivate and inspire your kids to continue performing well.

Many child psychologists agree, rewarding children for good behavior and providing positive reinforcement is far more effective (and better for your child), than punishing bad behavior.

This form of positive reinforcement has been lauded by potty-training experts, child behavioral specialists, teachers, and more.

The question is, how do you reward your child to help motivate and inspire them?

Let’s take a look at how rewards for kids can be beneficial.

5 Effective Rewards for Kids

You’ve heard the metaphor that children are like snowflakes–no two are alike. This is true and therefore the way you reward each child may vary.

Children’s various personalities and interests will influence what you find to be an effective reward for each one. Still, there are some basic reward ideas that can get you started and get your mind working to discover the perfect reward for your little one.

Here are a few examples:

1. An Away-From-Home Excursion 

This can be as simple as a picnic at the park, ice skating, a movie, bowling, or going out for ice cream.

This reward can be tailored to the day, weather, and most importantly, to your child’s interests.

An excursion also provides an opportunity for you to bond with your child and positively reinforce the good behavior by creating a positive memory they then associate with their achievement.

2. A Goal Chart

This reward method has been a popular one for years, and for good reason.

A goal chart can be customized to whatever you’d like. Make it a chore chart, reading chart, potty-training chart, you name it.

For example, you may be trying to teach your kid to clean their messy room, start by listing 1 chore for every day of the week. Each day your child completes their daily chore, place a checkmark under the task for that day.

At the end of the week, if your child has marked off every task, give them a prize or even a small trophy from somewhere like Trophies Plus Medals as a fun reward.

This method teaches children perseverance, goal-setting, and patience. It also improves a child’s confidence as they can keep visual track of their progress.

3. Baking Their Favorite Treat Together

You are your child’s greatest role model and showing them that you value spending time together will be the greatest reward they could ask for.

Children seek validation and the approval of their parents and mentors.

That’s why rewarding them with an afternoon baking their favorite treat is a perfect way to show your kids you’re proud of their hard work.

While you’re rolling out the cookie dough, talk to them about how it felt meeting their goal and how they can continue progressing. Use this time to offer words of love and affirmation.

4. A New Book or Toy

Teach your children the value of hard work and saving.

Instead of crippling your child’s self-reliance and work ethic by giving them whatever they want on-demand, have them earn that new pair of jeans or sticker-book they’ve been wanting.

Earning something themselves brings with it a sense of independence, confidence, and fulfillment for your child.

5. Verbal Praise

The fact is, sometimes the best reward is simply giving your child those needed words of love and approval.

People, in general, like to feel acknowledged and loved, especially when they’ve worked hard to accomplish something challenging. Sometimes the best reward you can give is to tell them “job well done.”

More Ideas for Motivating Kids

Finding the right rewards for kids can be fun when you start thinking about what your little ones enjoy.

Don’t forget that the best way to reward and motivate a child is through love and positive reinforcement. Words are powerful, so choose yours wisely.

For more helpful parenting hacks browse our parenting section.