Teachers, let’s turn up the fun in our classrooms all year round without spending a dime more than we have to! Imagine a classroom where students are buzzing with excitement, eager to collaborate to earn class rewards! That’s the kind of magic I’m aiming for with these whole class rewards.
From the joy of a ‘Free Choice Seating Day’ to an easy-to-plan STEM Activity Day, these 10 cost-effective rewards are not just about celebrating achievements—they’re about building a community of learners who support and cheer each other on.
10 Whole Class Rewards that Don’t Break the Bank
1. Free Choice Seating Day as a Reward
Who doesn’t love a little change of scenery? Allow your elementary students to pick their own seats for the day. This can be used as a whole class reward or for individual students. This simple switch-up costs you nothing but can make a world of difference in your student’s day and is a great addition to any classroom management strategy.
2. Blankets and Stuffed Animals Day
Students will love working towards this “cozy” whole-class reward. Invite your students to bring their favorite blanket and stuffed animal to class. Better yet, create comfy reading areas where they can cuddle up with a book and their plush friend.
3. STEM Activities for Your Elementary Students
Students love hands-on activities and competitions with one another, so hosting a STEM activity day as a cheap reward is a no-brainer! You can host a STEM Day using everyday items already in your classroom and by downloading the freebie at the top of this post! You can challenge your elementary students to make paper airplanes, create card towers, and more! The materials are simple, but the learning and fun will make any class work towards this incentive.
4. Using game time as a whole class reward
A great game to play as a classroom incentive is “Minute to Win It. These are fast-paced, easily set-up challenges that require students to complete a task in under a minute using simple items you’ll find right in your classroom or teacher’s lounge.
Some “Minute to Win It” Games students love are…
- Stack Attack: Students race to stack a set of plastic cups into a pyramid shape and then deconstruct it back into a single stack as fast as they can.
- Pencil Bounce: Set up several cups at the end of a table and challenge students to bounce pencils off the table and into the cups.
- Paper Plane Relay: Who can design a paper plane that flies the furthest? Provide construction paper and let the challenge begin.
- Book Balance: Balance as many books as possible on your head while walking a designated line on the floor. It’s a combination of poise and focus, and it’s hilarious to watch and play.
- Speed Sorting: Mix up a bunch of colored paper clips or markers, then challenge students to sort them by color as quickly as possible.
This is a whole class reward all of your students will be working for!
5. Outdoor Chalk Art Festival
Take learning outside with a chalk art festival on the playground. Students can work individually or in groups to create their masterpieces. Not only is this a blast, but it also gives them a chance to soak up some vitamin D, and is a cheap class reward!
6. Classroom Campout
Turn your classroom into a campground for a day. Use blankets to create tents, have a picnic lunch on beach towels, and read stories around an imaginary campfire. This imaginative play is an exciting break from the norm and can be provided with things you already have at home!
7. Board Game Bonanza
Encourage students to bring in their favorite board games from home for a day of fun and games! They’ll learn about taking turns, strategizing, and sportsmanship, all while playing games they love. This is a class-wide incentive that’ll have every student giving their all!
8. Read-Ins with Forts
Students can build forts out of blankets and then settle in with a good book. Occasionally, surprise them with a popcorn and movie session based on a book you’ve read. I’ve got a ton of fun activities to pair with any book. Check out the ELA section of my TPT store!
9. Cool Math Competitions
Who said math can’t be fun? Have students compete in friendly math games or logic puzzles. They’ll enjoy the challenge and won’t even realize they’re learning during this whole class reward. Use math websites such as IXL, Kahoot or Quizziz to incorporate technology.
10. Treats and Sweets
Simple treats like root beer floats (when’s the last time you had one of those?), Jolly Ranchers, or decorating their own cupcake can be a big hit. You can prepare these treats in bulk without much expense, and they serve as a sweet reward for your students’ hard work.
Psst- Gearing up for the end of the school year? Here’s a blog post filled with ideas and freebies for the end of the year with your students!
Rewarding your elementary students doesn’t have to mean you need to buy extravagant gifts. With a little creativity and the willingness to think outside the ‘store-bought’ box, you can create memorable experiences that celebrate your students’ efforts and foster a positive learning environment with these cheap, easy-to-plan whole-class rewards!
Looking for gift ideas for your students? Check out this blog post for budget friendly gift ideas for all types of learners!
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