The trouble with setting up a class reward system like Fun Friday is the pressure of constantly coming up with whole class reward ideas every. single. week.
It can be exhausting, especially after a week of teaching, to find new reward activities that will actually motivate your students. Time-fillers and free rewards can only take you so far.
If you’re looking for whole class reward ideas that are free, easy to run, and that actually motivate students, this list will save you time.
I’ve compiled my 15 favorite activities, grouped by class energy level.
Got a class that needs to burn off steam? Look at the “Get Moving” activities.
Have a class that loves to socialize? Check out the ideas under “Get Connected.”
“Get Silly” is perfect for classes that can’t take themselves (or anything else) seriously, and “Get Creative” works great for artistic types.
Finally, “Get Clever” is great for times when you want students to think outside the box.
Check out the (free, low-prep) ideas below, then download the full PDF with 36 unique Fun Friday activities. (That means you could use a different one every week of the school year and not run out!)
Not every reward works for every class, which is why these ideas are grouped by energy level and student needs.
Get Moving!
These activities are high-energy, perfect for burning off energy at the end of a long week.
Outdoor Free Time
Some might call it “outdoor recess,” but even middle school students love free time outside.
Take the class out to a nearby field or playground and let them run, walk, and talk their energy away.
Kickball
A classic whole class reward idea that only needs some open space and a playground ball. (Ask your school’s gym teacher if you don’t have your own playground ball handy.)
The game is played just like baseball, but the batter kicks the ball instead of hitting it with a bat. (There are some other optional rules you can find in the full Fun Friday set.)
“Snowball” Fight
Give each student a piece of paper and something to write on it:
- A math problem
- A sentence with spelling errors
- A capital city
Students crumple their papers into “snowballs” and throw them around the room for 15-30 seconds.
When time is up, each student picks up the snowball closest to them and answers the question or solves the problem.
Pro Tip: Make this SEL-friendly by having students write a positive message instead. When students open their snowball, they all get a compliment!
Get Creative!
These activities encourage students to express themselves and use their imaginations.
Line Designs
Prepare by drawing a squiggle or geometric shape on a piece of paper (or get a set already done for you).
Students start with the shape they’re given, then add to it to make something totally new.
Paper Tower
Put students in groups of 3-4 and give each group 7 pieces of paper.
Challenge students to build a tower using only the paper they were given – no tape, no glue.
Add some friendly competition by making teams compete for the tallest, most stable, or most creative tower!
Break Time Bucket List
This whole class reward idea works great for the day before a school break.
Give each student a piece of paper and title it based on the upcoming break (Winter Break Bucket List, Spring Break Bucket List, etc.).
Let students sit with friends while they make a list of everything they want to or plan to do over break.
Get Silly!
Ridiculous games and activities for students who don’t take themselves too seriously.
Coded Letter
Work as a class to devise a secret code, then write a letter to another class.
Will they figure it out and write back?
Take Over
Have groups make a pretend plan to take over the school.
How would they get the rest of the school on board? How would they keep the principal and teachers out?
Keep things school appropriate and aboveboard, of course!
Mimic
One student is the guesser, and one student is the leader.
Important: Make sure the guesser doesn’t know who the leader is!
Everyone stands in a circle with the guesser in the middle. The leader starts a movement (like clapping or nodding their head) and everyone else copies the leader.
The guesser’s job is to figure out who the leader is.
Get Clever!
These activities will make your students think!
Hot Seat
Set up one chair at the front of the room. This is the Hot Seat.
One student sits in the chair, and everyone else forms a line leading up to it.
The first person in line tries to get the person in the chair to stand up without touching them.
The goal is to think creatively and be persuasive to get the student in the hot seat to move.
Between the persuasion, humor, and creativity, this one is usually a fan favorite.
Alternative Uses
Collect a bunch of random everyday objects (hair clip, charging cable, marker cap) and give one to every group of students.
Challenge groups to come up with as many alternative uses for their item as possible.
For example, a hair clip could be a makeshift paperclip, or a charging cable could become a rope to rescue a fallen toy.
Drawing Contest
Challenge students to a drawing contest with over-the-top prompts.
For example:
- A llama wearing sunglasses, surfing on a giant slice of pizza
- A dinosaur in a tutu baking cupcakes for aliens
- A superhero rescuing popsicles from melting in the sun
Hold a quick contest. The “winner” could be the drawing that:
- Matches the prompt most accurately
- Makes everyone laugh the loudest
- Shows the most artistic flair
Get Connected!
These whole class reward ideas build positive classroom culture and relationships between peers.
Sticky Note Kindness
Give each student a stack of sticky notes and have them write short, positive messages.
For example:
- You make me smile!
- I’m so glad you’re here!
- Stay awesome!
Once students have written 5-10 sticky notes, let them roam the halls of the school and post their messages in places people will see them (lockers, mirrors, classroom doors).
Stand back and wait until the halls fill with students…and smiles.
Trivia
Hold a trivia contest based on student interest – or even the students themselves!
Trivia questions might ask:
- Pop culture questions
- States and capitals questions
- Fun facts about classmates
Appreciation Cards
Remind students of all the hard-working adults who help the school run smoothly every day:
- The principal
- School secretaries
- The nurse
- Custodians
- Lunchroom staff
- Crossing guards
- Bus drivers
Have students make cards for these people and either deliver them or give them to you to distribute.
This can brighten someone’s whole day!
Choosing the Right Whole Class Reward Idea
If these ideas sparked some interest, you will love the full set of 36 Fun Friday Activities. All 15 of these activities are included – in much more detail and with rules, variations, and tips to help them run smoothly.
Not only that, but there are 21 additional activities included – meaning you could do a new activity every week of the school year and not run out!
Each activity page comes with a time estimate (most are flexible), prep level (usually minimal), materials (rarely any), and a goal or skill focus (just in case admin drops by unexpectedly).
Whether you need some new whole class reward ideas or are just looking to fill some awkward time gaps, you’ll have plenty of ideas your class will enjoy.
F.A.Q.
Free whole class reward ideas include extra recess, game time, drawing contests, trivia, dance breaks, and creative challenges. These rewards rely on time and choice rather than prizes or money.
Students typically earn whole class rewards by meeting behavior, effort, or participation expectations over a set period of time. The exact criteria vary by classroom and are often tied to daily or weekly goals. If you want to see the specific approach I use, I share it with my email subscribers.
Whole class rewards can work well when students understand the expectations and feel motivated to work together. Many teachers find they are most effective when used consistently and paired with clear classroom routines. I share more tips and strategies like this with my email list.
Elementary-friendly whole class reward ideas include Fun Friday activities, outdoor free time, art projects, team games, and class challenges. These rewards are most successful when they match students’ energy levels and interests.
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