I’m looking for ideas to motivate my kids without just giving them money or buying them stuff. What are some good non-monetary rewards you’ve tried that actually got results? Things like extra screen time or staying up late come to mind, but I’d love to hear what’s worked well for other parents. Bonus points for rewards that are easy to implement and don’t cost much. Thanks!
Screen time works, but we try to balance it. Our kids love picking the weekend activity or menu for family dinner. They get excited about small privileges like using the good dishes or sitting in the front seat. It’s about making everyday things feel special.
I found that letting my kids choose a fun family activity worked really well as a reward. They’d pick things like a picnic in the park, a board game night, or even camping in the backyard. It gave us quality time together without spending much.
Another hit was ‘trade a chore’ day. If they completed their tasks for the week, they could swap one of their regular chores with me or their other parent. They loved bossing us around a bit, and it helped them appreciate the work we do.
For my older teen, extra driving practice time was a big motivator. It didn’t cost anything extra, and it was something she really wanted. My younger one loved getting to redecorate his room or rearrange the furniture. These rewards tapped into their interests and gave them a sense of control. 
Over time, we found that the best rewards were often experiences or privileges rather than things. It took some trial and error, but we landed on options that worked for our family without breaking the bank.
In our house, we’ve had success with a ‘special helper’ system. My kid gets to be my assistant for the day, which means sitting in the front seat, picking the music, and helping with grown-up tasks. It’s become a coveted reward that doesn’t cost anything. We also do ‘pajama days’ where we stay in PJs all day and have breakfast for dinner. These little things make my child feel special and excited without spending money or relying on screen time.
We’re also trying to find creative rewards that don’t involve money or buying things. My little one loves it when we have a ‘backward day’ - eating dessert first or wearing clothes backward. It’s silly but exciting for them.
I’m curious about rewards that might teach responsibility or life skills. Has anyone tried giving their child more ‘grown-up’ privileges as a reward? Like choosing the family movie or helping plan a meal?
So far, extra one-on-one time with me or my partner seems to work well too. But I worry if that sends the right message about attention being a ‘reward’. Still figuring this out!
We’ve found that giving our kids more responsibility can be really rewarding for them. Our 10-year-old loves being the ‘dinner helper’ and gets to plan a meal once a week. She feels so grown-up picking recipes and making a shopping list with me.
For our 7-year-old, we have a ‘Fun Friday’ where he picks an activity for the family. Sometimes it’s building a blanket fort or having an indoor picnic. He gets so excited about it all week.
We also do a sticker chart for good behavior. When they fill it up, they get to pick a special outing like going to the park or library. It’s amazing how motivating those little stickers can be!
These things have worked well for us. The kids feel proud and get quality time with us without needing to spend money on toys or treats.