25 Elementary Whole Class Reward Ideas

We all know how crucial it is to have a proper classroom management plan in place. Encouraging and rewarding positive behaviors is one of my favorite classroom management strategies. I do believe that individual classroom management tools should be put in place. In this post, I share some of my favorite individual behavior management strategies–including my classroom economy system. However, it is also extremely important to implement a whole-class behavior management system. With whole-class rewards, students are motivated to uplift and encourage one another. Not only does having your class work together towards a specific goal help improve classroom behaviors, but it’s also a great way to build classroom community!

Check out some of my favorite classroom management tools here!

25 Whole Class Reward Ideas 

Below are some fun whole-class reward ideas to use with your class-wide classroom management plan. Your students will work as a team to achieve the same goal: earning a reward! These ideas are affordable and easy to implement.

1. Silly Sock Day

Encourage students to wear their most silly socks. This can include themed socks that are fun or a pair of mismatched socks. Students will enjoy showing off their socks to the class and getting a good laugh out of everyone.

2. Ice Cream Party

What do students love more than an ice cream day? Not much! Grab a few flavors of ice cream and some fun toppings and watch as students create their own ice cream sundae. If you want to keep the ice cream theme alive, consider doing an ice cream classroom transformation to make the whole day full of sweet fun!

3. Lunch Outdoors

Sometimes a change of scenery is what everyone needs! Whether you have students bring their usual cafeteria lunch or lunch box outside, or provide lunch for your class, consider taking it outdoors to allow students to breathe in the fresh air. Simply spread out a big blanket or find a nice spot to sit. Your students will love having lunch in a different spot! 

4. Free Seat Day

We have assigned seats for a reason, but what a fun incentive to allow students to choose their own seats for the day! This is an easy way for you to reward students without any extra planning on your part.

5. Movie Day

Whether students wear pajamas and snack on popcorn or just enjoy watching a movie together, movie days are a nice way for students to wind down and enjoy. If you don’t want to spend an entire block watching the movie, consider showing half of the movie as the day’s reward and then having students earn the other half for their next whole class reward!

6. Show and Tell

We all remember bringing in toys or fun mementos in lower elementary for show and tell, but why does it have to end when students get older? Allow your students to bring in something special to them to share with the class. It’ll be a fun way to learn more about the students in your classroom.

7. Arts and Crafts Afternoon

Art is an entertaining, creative reward for students to participate in. Consider leading an organized craft or just placing all of your arts and crafts supplies out on a table for students to access. 

8. Virtual Field Trip

Planning and organizing a field trip might be a little more than you want to handle, but what about setting up a virtual field trip for your students? There are many places and experiences around the world that students can enjoy from your classroom. You can also consider allowing students to ride virtual roller coasters and other amusement park rides by searching on YouTube.

Reid Park Zoo
The White House
Great Wall of China
Wooden Rollercoaster
Yeti Rollercoaster

9. Glow Dancing

For this reward, all you need is some glow necklaces or bracelets, the lights off, and a fun playlist of music for students! Students will enjoy dancing around with their glow sticks and having their own little classroom rave.

10. Open Mic or Talent Show

Our students have many talents we may not even know about! Allowing them to participate in an open mic session or talent show can give them the opportunity to show off a side of them the class has never seen!

11. STEM Project or Science Experiment

Whether students explode a volcano, build a tower out of toothpicks, or do something else entirely, completing a STEM project or science experiment is something that will get students excited about working together.

12. Paper Airplane Competition

Who can build the best paper airplane? Grab some sheets of paper and let’s find out! Students can build and design their own paper airplanes and then race them to see whose can go the farthest. 

13. Kahoot or Jeopardy

Students always love a good game of Kahoot or Jeopardy! Whether you search for one that’s already been prepared or create your own, your students will love competing against one another. 

14. Minute to Win It Games

Minute to Win It games are always a hit. Some personal favorites of mine are the ping pong ball transfer and the cup stacking tower, but there are many of them out there! They add a fun competitive element to your classroom.

15. Board Game Day

For this incentive, all you need to do is grab all of the board games and card games that you have at home and bring them with you to school! Allow students to spend time with their classmates competing, laughing, and playing.

16. Directed Drawing

Directed drawing activities give even those students who aren’t confident in their drawing abilities a chance to create something amazing. There are several directed drawing channels on YouTube that you can choose from. You can even allow your students to vote on which drawing they will complete.
How to Draw a Sloth
How to Draw an Ice Cream Cone
How to Draw a Waterfall Landscape
How to Draw a Sleeping Fox

17. Have Class Outside

There’s something nice about soaking up learning in a different environment. Grab whiteboards and markers or other easy-to-carry materials and move the learning outside.

18. Guest Teacher

Sometimes just having a different adult in the room is a huge incentive! Consider asking your principal, guidance counselor, P.E. teacher, or someone else to come and talk to your class, lead a short lesson, or play a game. Your students will enjoy having the opportunity to learn from other people in the building in an unexpected way. 

19. No Shoes Day

Allow students to ditch their shoes while they’re in the classroom. Just don’t forget to remind them to wear socks to prevent any stinky feet from being smelled!

20. Dress-Up Day

Whether you want to allow students to wear hats, pajamas, or something else entirely, a dress-up day can be fun for students. Just be sure to clear it with your administration if it violates your school’s dress code. Also, consider having a couple of extra dress-up options on hand for students who may not have anything at home.

21. Desk Pet

Desk pets are an adorable addition to your students’ desks. Whether they create rock desk pets or shop for their own desk pet using your classroom economy, your students will delight in this adorable little friend. 

22. Reading in the Dark

Make independent reading time or whole group reading time extra fun by giving students flashlights to use. Flashlights add an extra layer of fun and excitement to your normal reading routine, and it’s likely that your students will be begging to use them during reading time for days to come. 

23. Interview the Teacher

Do your students love to ask you questions about your life? Mine always have! As a reward, allow your students to come up with questions that they want to ask you. Sit at the front of the class and allow them to ask you questions interview-style for 10-15 minutes.

24. Extra Technology Time

Whether you allow students to bring in their own technology to use throughout the day or provide them with extra Chromebook time, gaining additional technology time is always something that students are excited about.

25. Eating Popsicles

Pick up a pack of popsicles at the store and allow your students to eat them outside so that there’s minimal mess. Students will enjoy the sweet treat and have the opportunity to socialize outside for a little bit during the school day.

No matter which whole class reward you decide on, I hope that it keeps your students engaged and helps keep your classroom management strong. What idea do you like best? Comment below!

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