The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022
Everyone has a highlight of their day. For some, it’s breakfast or lunch. For others, it’s their gym session. Maybe it’s in your classroom when you get to teach your favorite subject. Maybe it’s your planning period. 

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

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My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

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The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022

About the Event

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

Register Now

About the Event

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

About the Presenter

Jordan resides in Lexington, Kentucky. He has experience in Public Education as an Administrator, Science Teacher, and as a Coach. He has extensive experience with School Discipline, PBIS, SEL, Restorative Practices, MTSS, and Trauma-Informed Care.

Subscribe via Email

Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022

Everyone has a highlight of their day. For some, it’s breakfast or lunch. For others, it’s their gym session. Maybe it’s in your classroom when you get to teach your favorite subject. Maybe it’s your planning period. 

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Partner Work
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Tutor
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Final Fridays
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Hat Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Pen
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Picnic Lunch
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher v Student Competition
Grades 6-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Water Bottle Stickers
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
The A-List
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch With the Teacher
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Theme Party
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Pet
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Snowball Fights (& Popsicles!)
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Career Day
Grades 3-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Read Across America
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Seating Choice
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Movie Posters
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Pen
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Fast Pass
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Firebird of the Month
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
STEM Field Day
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
Grades 3-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Trip to the Treasure Box
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Event Ideas for Schools

💰
🎨
Silent Disco
💰
🎨
Glow Party
💰
🎨
Art Contest
💰
🎨
Meme Party
💰
🎨
Career Day
💰
🎨
Music Fest
💰
🎨
Final Fridays
💰
🎨
Decades Party
💰
🎨
Movie Night
💰
🎨
STEM Field Day
💰
🎨
Game Week

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Tech Time
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Serenade
🎉
👑
🎁
Free Dress
🎉
👑
🎁
Blood Drive
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Fast Pass
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Recess
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Messenger

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Silly School Leader
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
The A-List
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
The Big Ticket
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Graduation Celebration
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Uber by a Principal
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
“Let's Make A Difference Week"
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
♟️Chess With the Principal
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Game Week
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Fake The Funk
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Silly School Leader
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Seating Choice
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Pet
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
School Assembly
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Food-Themed Party
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
The A-List
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Cut the Principal’s Tie
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Concert
Grades 6-8
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
The Love Soiree
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Dance Party
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Assist the Custodian.
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Play Games
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Kickback Vibes
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

💰
🎨
The Big Ticket
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Books
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Color a Teacher’s Hair
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Operate Equipment.
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Picnic Lunch
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Class Book
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Design the Bulletin Board
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Lunch Fast Pass
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
See all Rewards

Want more ideas?

Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
Find Rewards
Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 

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Receive the best school culture resources monthly to inspire your planning.

The Ultimate List of Free Rewards for Students

Student rewards can be costly, that's why it's a good thing that free student rewards can be just as motivating.
By 
Jordan Pruitt
 | 
July 26, 2022

Everyone has a highlight of their day. For some, it’s breakfast or lunch. For others, it’s their gym session. Maybe it’s in your classroom when you get to teach your favorite subject. Maybe it’s your planning period. 

My favorite part of my day is dropping my 6-year-old off at school. She’s in kindergarten and absolutely loves school. In the truck on the way we listen to some music, and occasionally play “I Spy”, but more than anything else we talk about her school days. 

She talks about what specials she's excited about attending, what they are learning in math and reading, and who she wants to play with at recess. 

But without really knowing it, she also talks about classroom rewards.

Everyday. 

She wants to earn the treasure box. She wants to be a line leader. She wants to eat lunch with her teacher. And of course, she wants to feed the class turtle!

Her teacher does a great job of providing many different ways for her class to earn rewards for positive behavior and citizenship in the school. They use a behavior management system like Live School to earn points towards these rewards, and she is very keen on earning them! 

What Are Student Rewards?

You have behaviors, actions, and achievements you wish to see in your classroom. Your students know what they are and how to meet those expectations. 

They also know that when they do, they will receive a small reward that can take many forms based on their grade level and classroom and school culture. It could be tangible or intangible. 

Why Are Student Rewards Important?

Morale matters. The school day can be long. The school year can be much longer. You want your students to have a positive feeling toward your class and your school. 

You want your students to have conversations on the way to school like I have with my daughter. 

Students like to see their accomplishments praised. If they do right, they want to be recognized for it. 

This isn’t unique to children, teachers love to be praised for their hard work as well! We all like to be recognized and rewarded. 

Now that we agree that rewards are a positive thing for your students, you're probably thinking “but I don’t have the budget to give away prizes.” 

Never fear, the only thing that matters here is that your students value the reward. Not that the reward has any actual monetary value. 

Free Reward Ideas for Students

Keep reading for some ideas on how to reward your students for free!

Line Leader

This one has stood the test of time, it doesn’t require much explanation. Young students enjoy leading their class to their next destination, use it as a reward, and rotate it daily or weekly.

Age Group: Elementary

Feed the Class Pet

This one isn’t for everybody but if you're an animal lover consider getting a fish, turtle, or a snake for your class! Allow your most responsible students to feed your class pet and connect your class mascot to classroom activities.

Age Group: All

Classroom DJ

I always enjoyed playing music during any part of the class that wasn’t direct instruction. Let students earn the right to pick songs, playlists, or genres.

Age Group: All

Preferential Seating

Either as a seating chart exemption or as an actual improvement of the seating arrangement if you have access to bean bag chairs or special seating in your room.

Age Group: All

Lunch Bunch

Allowing students to eat lunch with their teacher is a big honor and lets you develop relationships with your students as they understand you are giving up your quiet lunch to spend with them.

Age Group: Elementary/Middle

Certificate of Achievement

Print off a certificate with your student's name on it and present it to students as a token of their achievement. At my school we write positive referrals and when the admin processes those they print the certificate to award the student.

Age Group: All

free printable certificate reward for students

Positive Phone Call Home

Schedule some time each week for positive phone calls. Whether you do 1 a day or just a few a week it will make a big difference. Set a goal to make a positive contact for each of your students each semester. 

Age Group: All

Tech Time

Allow students to earn phone or computer time due to positive behavior.

Age Group: Late Elementary/Middle/High

Early Lunch Dismissal

Have 1 student who has gone above and beyond? Consider allowing them to leave 1 minute early for lunch. This seems like a small reward, but it means that student won’t be waiting in the cafeteria line for lunch!

Age Group: High

Fresh Air

Has your class been exceptionally well behaved as a whole? Take them outside! Find a spot on campus suitable to hold class outdoors and take your class outside for some fresh air.

Age Group: All

Your Next Steps for Student Rewards

We would all agree that people should do their best and follow expectations on their own. Intrinsic motivation is a great trait to possess. 

But this is often the exception to the rule, not the rule for students. We can’t be successful only by reaching the self-motivated students. 

So a meaningful way to motivate students and raise morale is necessary to reach ALL students. How you accomplish this can look many different ways, and doesn’t have to cost you anything. 

I would layer your reward system if your school utilizes PBIS. By layer, I mean to reward both individuals and groups. 

Individual rewards in your classroom can be very specific to teacher preference or style. Whole class rewards like these class party ideas can be earned by the entire group. 

Then take it a step further and use PBIS best practices to reward an entire grade level for meeting expectations. Even further still, advocate adding a few school-wide rewards to your schedule. 

If you can successfully layer the rewards in your room, team, grade, hallway, and school you will develop a school culture that is defined by the behaviors you are seeking to reward. 

Need more free resource ideas? We put together an additional 10 completely free rewards for your classroom that are sure to kickstart the engagement in your lessons.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place.

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
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🎁
Holiday Classroom Carousel
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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🎁
Ice Cream Sundae Party
Grades K-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Water Bottle Stickers
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Line Leader
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Assist the Custodian.
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Color a Teacher’s Hair
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Tech Time
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Passing Period Music
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

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Silly Science Experiments
Grades K-5
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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🎁
Snowball Fights (& Popsicles!)
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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🎁
Loudspeaker Shoutout
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Principal for a Day
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Book
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Reading Time
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Line Leader
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Pen Pouch
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Partner Work
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Toys
Grades K-8
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch With the Teacher
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free

All Event Ideas for Schools

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

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Classroom DJ
🎉
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Show & Tell
🎉
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🎁
The Big Ticket
🎉
👑
🎁
Follow a Friend
🎉
👑
🎁
Meet the Teacher
🎉
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🎁
Vote
🎉
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🎁
Special Screening
🎉
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🎁
Tech Time
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch Fast Pass
🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
🎉
👑
🎁
Dance Party
🎉
👑
🎁
Art Contest
🎉
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🎁
Seating Choice
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Reading Time

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Holidays Around the World
Grades K-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
The A-List
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Lost & Found Fashion Show
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
The Big Ticket
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
House Induction
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Movie Night
Grades 9-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
♟️Chess With the Principal
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
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🎁
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
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🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Play Games
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Amazing Race
Grades 9-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Water Bottle Stickers
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Backpack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

🎉
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🎁
Awards Show Afterparty
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
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🎁
Art Contest
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Anime Themed Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Board Game Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Food-Themed Party
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Tutor
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Trunk or Treat
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Party
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Pack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

💰
🎨
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Play Games
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Cut the Principal’s Tie
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Game of Thrones
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Partner Work
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Principal for a Day
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
School Assembly
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Talk Time
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Parking Spots
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
TikTok with the Teacher
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Class Pet
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Locker Choice
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Special Pen
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Computer Games
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
See all Rewards

Want more ideas?

Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
Find Rewards
Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 

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