I’m looking for some new ways to encourage good behavior in my kids. The usual sticker charts and small treats aren’t cutting it anymore. What reward systems have you found effective in your family? I’d love to hear about things that actually work and keep the kids motivated. Thanks for any suggestions!
Screen time works well for us. Kids earn minutes for good behavior or chores. They can save up or use them right away. Simple to track and motivating. Adjusts easily as they get older too.
We’ve had success with a simple ‘jar system’ in our home. The kids earn marbles for positive behaviors and put them in a jar. When the jar is full, we do a family activity they choose.
It’s flexible and works for both ages. We brainstorm activity ideas together, which gets them excited. Sometimes it’s a movie night, other times it’s a local adventure.
What I like is how it brings us together as a family. The kids work as a team to fill the jar faster. They even remind each other to do good things!
As they’ve grown, we’ve adjusted what earns marbles. It keeps things fresh and age-appropriate. Plus, the anticipation of filling the jar is often as fun as the reward itself.
In our house, a reward system that worked well was a point system that led to bigger rewards. We’d assign points for different chores or good behaviors. The kids could save up for things they really wanted, like a new game or a special outing. It taught them about delayed gratification and planning.
One thing I learned was to involve the kids in choosing the rewards. They came up with some great ideas I hadn’t thought of, like a movie night where they got to pick the movie and snacks. This made them more invested in earning points.
As they got older, we adjusted the system. The rewards became more about privileges, like later bedtimes on weekends or having a friend over. It evolved with their interests, which kept it relevant and motivating. 
Sticker charts lost their appeal with my child who is five. I recently tried a system where completing weekly tasks earns us a weekend activity pick. It’s been fun so far. What adjustments have you made for older kids? I’m curious to learn from others.
We’ve been using a ‘task wheel’ in our house lately. It’s a colorful wheel with different chores and behaviors written on it. My kid spins it each day to see what their ‘mission’ is.
Completing the task earns points towards a reward they choose at the start of the week. Could be extra playtime, picking dinner, or a small toy.
What’s cool is how excited they get to spin the wheel. It’s turned chores into a game, and they’re learning responsibility without it feeling forced. Might be worth a try if you’re looking for something new!