50 Reward Ideas for Kids (That Aren't Junk Food or Toys)

Why the right rewards matter

A reward system only works if the rewards excite your child. Offer something they don't care about and the whole system collapses. Offer only candy and screen time and you'll feel guilty about it.

Good news: kids are motivated by way more than junk food and iPads. Experiences, privileges, quality time, and autonomy are all powerful motivators, and they cost nothing.

Here are 50 reward ideas organized by category. Pick 5-6 to start with. You can always add more as your child grows.

Experiences (0 cost, high impact)

1. Choose what's for dinner. Kids love having a say. Even if they pick pasta three weeks in a row.
2. Pick a family movie. Hand them the remote. Their choice, no vetoing.
3. Stay up 30 minutes past bedtime. A classic that never loses appeal.
4. Have a friend over for a playdate. Social time is a huge motivator, especially ages 6-10.
5. Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes at 6pm feels rebellious and fun.
6. Picnic in the living room. Blanket on the floor, favorite snacks, maybe a movie.
7. Camp out in the backyard. Or build a blanket fort in the living room.
8. Parent plays their favorite game. 20 minutes of undivided attention playing what THEY choose.
9. Trip to the park or playground. Simple, free, and always a hit.
10. Bike ride with a parent. One-on-one time doing something active.

Privileges (build autonomy)

11. No chores for one day. A day off feels earned and special.
12. Choose the family restaurant. Next time you eat out, they decide where.
13. Sit in the front seat. For older kids. The thrill is real.
14. Extra 30 minutes of screen time. If you use screen time limits, extra time is valuable.
15. Use a parent's phone for 15 minutes. Supervised, but they feel trusted.
16. Skip one homework subject. Coordinate with what's reasonable. Reading counts, math can wait one night.
17. Wear pajamas to the store. Silly, cost-free, and memorable.
18. Eat lunch in a special spot. A picnic outside, at the coffee table, in the treehouse.
19. Choose the music in the car. For the whole drive. Even if it's the same song on repeat.
20. Get to say "no" to one chore. A veto card. Use once, powerful.

Quality time (what kids actually want most)

21. Bake cookies or cupcakes together. The baking IS the reward, not just the eating.
22. One-on-one outing with a parent. Ice cream, bookstore, hardware store, doesn't matter. Just the two of you.
23. Read an extra bedtime story. For younger kids, this is gold.
24. Build something together. Legos, a birdhouse, a cardboard fort.
25. Cook a meal together. Let them choose the recipe and help at every step.
26. Arts and crafts session. Pull out the paint, glitter, and glue. Accept the mess.
27. Teach them something you know. A card trick, how to change a tire, a family recipe.
28. Watch their favorite show with them. Sit down, actually watch, ask questions. They notice.
29. Take them to the library. Let them pick as many books as they want.
30. Go stargazing. Blankets, hot chocolate, point out constellations (or make up your own).

Small physical rewards (under $5)

31. A new book. Secondhand bookstores make this affordable.
32. Their favorite snack. A treat from the grocery store. Their pick.
33. New art supplies. A fresh sketchpad, markers, or stickers.
34. A small toy from a dollar store. The choosing is half the fun.
35. Bubbles or sidewalk chalk. Cheap, outside, hours of entertainment.
36. A fun Band-Aid pack. Surprisingly popular with kids under 8.
37. Stickers or temporary tattoos. Always a hit for younger kids.
38. A new water bottle or lunchbox accessory. Something for school they can show off.
39. Seeds to plant. They grow something and watch it over weeks. Double reward.
40. A letter or note from you. Handwritten. "I'm proud of you because..." This one hits different.

Bigger milestones (save up for these)

41. Sleepover at a friend's house. Worth saving up 100+ points.
42. New video game or app. A milestone reward for weeks of consistency.
43. Redecorate their room. New posters, rearrange furniture, pick a new lamp.
44. Family outing of their choice. Zoo, bowling, mini golf, the beach.
45. A pet-related reward. If you have pets: new toy for the dog, name the fish.
46. Later bedtime for a whole week. Not just one night. A full week of staying up.
47. Skip school for a fun day. A "mental health day" spent doing something special. Use sparingly.
48. Earn a subscription. A month of a kid-friendly streaming service or app.
49. Design their own reward. Let them pitch something. You'd be surprised what they come up with.
50. "Yes Day" (within reason). One day where you say yes to reasonable requests. Popularized by the movie, loved by kids everywhere.

How to price rewards in a point system

The cheapest reward should be achievable in one good day. The most expensive should take 1-2 weeks of consistent effort. Here's a framework:

Reward tier	Point cost	How long to earn
Quick wins	10-15 points	1 day
Nice perks	20-35 points	2-3 days
Big rewards	50-75 points	1 week
Milestone rewards	100+ points	2+ weeks

Adjust these based on your child's age and how many points they earn daily.

Tips for making rewards work

Let your child help choose. If they pick the rewards, they're invested in earning them. Have a family meeting and brainstorm together.

Rotate rewards monthly. Even the best reward gets stale after six weeks. Swap out 2-3 options regularly to keep things fresh.

Don't use food as the only reward. It's fine to include a treat occasionally, but if every reward is candy, you're building unhealthy habits. Balance food rewards with experiences and privileges.

Make redemption a moment. When your child earns enough points and picks a reward, celebrate it. "You earned this. You worked for it." That recognition matters more than the reward itself.

Never take away earned rewards. If they earned 30 points and redeemed screen time, don't revoke it because of later behavior. Earned is earned. This builds trust in the system.