Ideas for Alternatives to Using Food as a Reward
Elementary Schools
• Make deliveries to office
• Teach class
• Sit by friends
• Eat lunch with teacher or principal
• Eat lunch, read, or enjoy class outdoors
• Be a helper in another classroom
• Play a favorite game or do puzzles
• Offer stickers, pencils, or bookmarks
• Extra recess or physical activity break
• Trip to treasure box filled with non-food items (stickers, pencils, erasers, or bookmarks)
• Dance to favorite music in class
• Bank system - earn play money for privileges
• Teacher or volunteer reads special book to class
• Teacher performs special skill (signing, cartwheel, guitar, playing etc.)
• Have "Free Choice" time at the end of the day or end of class period
• Listen to a book on tape with headset
Middle School Students
• Sit with friends
• Listen to music while working at desk
• Five-minute chat break at end of class
• Reduced homework or no homework pass
• Earn extra credit
• Fun brain teaser activities
• Computer time
• Eat lunch outside or have class outside
High School Students
• Reduced homework
• Late homework or no homework pass
• Earn donated coupons to video stores, music stores, or movies
• Drawings for donated prizes among students who meet certain grade standards
• Earn extra credit