Reward Suggestions For Kids and Teens

Written by Robert Myers, PhD

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This page contains suggestions for rewards for children of various age groups. These rewards can be provided as positive reinforcement for behavior modification programs. Rewards that are selected by the child usually are the most powerful. Also, a variety of reward possibilities helps to keep a child motivated over a long period of time. Rewards can be privileges, things or activities with parents. They are never a substitute for words of praise and encouragement. Rewards are most meaningful when given along with positive words and touch from parents. Check out the suggestions for your child: Preschooler, (below), Elementary School Age, and Teens.

Home Reward Possibilities for Preschoolers

Going to the park	Playing with friends	Getting in bed with parents
Making mud pies	Listening to a bedtime story	Playing on a swing set
Spending the night with friends or grandparents	Being lifted into the air	Feeding a pet
Rocking	Playing games	Making noises with rattles, pans, or bells
Having a horsey ride by swinging on parent's foot	Doing a puppet play	Having parents take a Polaroid picture of the child
Talking into a tape recorder	Going out for hamburgers or pizza	Wearing dress-up clothes
Playing with clay or playdough	Going someplace alone with dad or mom	Helping plan the day's activities
Helping mom or dad	Having a longer time in the bathtub	Riding on a bicycle with dad or mom
Whirling in a circle by arms	Watching a rainstorm	Playing in the sandbox
Sitting in the chair with dad or mom	Going to the library	Going for a picnic
Bouncing on the bed	Playing outside	Riding a tricycle
Staying up late	Going on a trip to the zoo	Getting a piggy-back ride
Having a bubble bath	Singing songs	Skipping
Delaying a nap	Flushing the toilet	Riding on dad's shoulders
Going outside at night	Having a family night	Helping to hold baby sister or brother
Swimming	Reading a story	Mixing cookie dough
Having a special desert	Chewing gum	Finger painting
Drawing with crayons	Listening to walkman	Playing a game with parent(s)
Sitting in the front seat	Playing video game	Watching a video
Renting a video game	Renting a video	Computer time