Fun Ways to Reward Your Kids' Successes

credit: unsplash.

When your child achieves something special whether it’s getting an A on a test or making the local football team, then you naturally want to shout it from the rooftops and tell every friend and family member who will listen, but, you know what’s more important? Celebrating those successes with your child, and showing them just how proud you are, and just how nice it feels to aim for something and succeed.

That being the case, let’s take a look at a few fun things you can do to celebrate your kids’ successes:

1. The Trophy Treatment

Who says trophies are only for sports? You can create custom trophies, like these acrylic awards, for virtually any achievement. How about a “Math Whiz” medal or a “Super Speller” trophy? You can even have fun with titles like “Broccoli Battler” for a kid who’s finally eaten their greens. These tangible tokens of achievement don’t just clutter shelves; they serve as proud reminders of a job well done. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to hold an impromptu family award ceremony. Pass the popcorn!


2. Adventure Tickets

Transform ordinary outings into “adventure tickets.” Each ticket grants your child a trip to a place of their choice, whether it’s the zoo, a local amusement park, or the cinema. The bigger the achievement, the bigger the adventure! It’s a fantastic way to encourage ambitious thinking and hard work, plus you get to make wonderful memories together. Just remember, when they choose to visit the bug museum, you’ve got to grin and bear it!


3. Brag Board Brilliance

Why not set up a “brag board” in your home? This can be a cork board, a digital photo frame, or even a section of your fridge dedicated to showcasing your child’s achievements. Display their latest art projects, test scores, or photos of them in action. You can make it interactive by allowing them to choose what goes up and what comes down. It's like their own personal hall of fame!


4. DIY Coupon Books

Create a book of coupons that your kids can “cash in” for various rewards. These can range from an extra hour of TV, a pass on household chores for a day, or a special one-on-one outing with Mum or Dad. Each coupon is a promise of fun, and it’s a great way to incentivize continuing effort in a way that feels playful and exciting.


5. A Jar of Joys

Start a “jar of joys,” where each achievement adds a little note or a symbolic item to a clear jar. It could be a marble, a button, or a brightly colored paper clip. As the jar fills up, the visual representation of their achievements grows! Once it’s full, celebrate with a special treat—a family day out, a new toy, or their favourite meal. It’s a visual and interactive way to track progress and keep motivation high.


6. Storytime Spotlight

Have a family storytelling night where the star of the story is your child. Tailor a fantastical tale around their achievement, making them the hero of their own adventure. Whether they saved a kingdom with their maths skills or won a race with their super-fast spelling, it’s a fun and engaging way to reinforce their success. Plus, who doesn’t love bedtime stories where they’re the main character?


7. Skills Swap

For an older child, offer a skills swap as a reward. They teach you something they’re good at (like Minecraft, TikTok dances, or whatever the latest craze is), and in exchange, you teach them something (like baking, juggling, or how to set up a budget). It’s a great way to show respect for their skills and learn something fun together.


8. Room Revamp

If they hit a really big milestone, like passing all their exams or achieving something significant, why not offer a room makeover? They can pick new paint colours, bedding, or posters. It’s a bigger project, but it’s a lasting reminder of their hard work and your pride in their success.


9. Digital Achievements Board

In the age of technology, why not set up a digital achievements board? Create a special online space—whether it’s a simple blog or a private social media group—where you post updates, photos, and shout-outs celebrating your child’s milestones. Relatives near and far can join in on the celebration, leaving comments and encouragement. It’s a great way for your child to see the collective support and pride from their wider family circle.


10. Skill-Building Bonanza

Sometimes, rewards can also be things that will help them succeed, so what not offer them a workshop or class in an area they love, as a reward? Enrolling them in a coding boot camp or ballet class will show them you know what they dig, and that you appreciate their efforts.


11. Surprise Day Out

Most kids love exploring new places so why not plan a surprise outing to the local farm park or take them to the closest place with a great roller coaster, when they have aced that history test they were so worried about?


Rewarding your kids’ successes should be as dynamic and creative as they are because when they’ve did a good job, they deserve some appreciation!



Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.