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54 reward ideas for kids that aren’t sweets or money
The best rewards cost little and mean a lot: your time, a choice that’s usually yours, or a small privilege. Here are ideas to put at the end of a chore chart or reward chart.
Time together
- A one-to-one trip to the park
- Baking something together
- A board game of their choice
- A bike ride together
- Building a den in the living room
- Ten minutes of your undivided attention
- A walk to feed the ducks
- Teaching you something they know
- A picnic, even indoors
- An extra bedtime story
Choices
- Choosing Friday’s dinner
- Choosing the family film
- Picking the music in the car
- Choosing the weekend activity
- Choosing tomorrow’s pudding
- Picking where to go for a walk
- Choosing the bath bubbles
- Choosing what goes in the packed lunch
Privileges
- Staying up 20 minutes later
- Extra screen time
- Sitting in the front seat (if old enough)
- A lie-in at the weekend
- Skipping one chore
- Having a friend round
- Being ‘boss’ of family games night
- Sleeping in a den or sleeping bag
- Using the ‘grown-up’ plates
- Having pudding first
Outings
- A trip to the library
- A swim
- A visit to the soft play
- A trip to the skate park
- A day at the beach
- Going to the cinema
- A trip to a farm
- Climbing wall or trampoline park
- Visiting grandparents
- A bus or train ride just for fun
Small things (not sweets)
- A new book
- Stickers
- A comic or magazine
- Seeds to grow
- A new pen or pencil set
- Bath toys
- A small Lego set
- Hair accessories
- A new football
- Craft supplies
Bigger goals to save up for
- A day out of their choice
- A new game
- Tickets to a match or show
- A sleepover party
- A new bike accessory
- A family pizza and film night
Questions parents ask
What are good rewards for kids that aren’t food?
Time together, choices and privileges work best: choosing the film or dinner, staying up a little later, a trip to the park, a board game with you or a friend round to play.
Should rewards be big or small?
Mostly small and often. Young children need a reward within days, not weeks. Save one bigger goal for older children who can wait and save points towards it.
Is it bribery to reward chores?
A bribe is offered in the moment to stop bad behaviour. A reward is agreed in advance for effort. Agreeing it together, and delivering it quickly, keeps it a reward.
Should screen time be a reward?
It can be, if screen time is limited anyway. Many families find 15 or 20 extra minutes is one of the most popular rewards on the list.
Want the chart to cheer back?
Score Your Chores is the same idea on your iPhone. Kids wake up their own Buddy, finish quests with a press-and-hold, and save points for rewards you choose. You approve everything in two taps. Free, no ads, no child accounts.