FOR ALL AGES
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
A reward chart for kids can prove a very effective means of encouraging good behaviour in young children.
They are most effective when used with children between three and eight years old and there are several different types available. Choosing the best one for you will depend on your child's age, temperament and what specifically you're trying to get them to do.
The most common rewarding charts for kids use stickers, stamps or magnets as a means of marking an instance of good behaviour, though some use a points system and others use colours in a traffic light or rainbow style to denote good or bad conduct.
Some of these styles cater specifically to getting children to complete tasks that most parents find notoriously hard work, brushing teeth, laying the table and tidying being good examples. These are more commonly known as chore charts, and are a great way of monitoring the completion of certain responsibilities in a family with multiple children.
A reward chart is a great way to give children tangible incentives to complete tasks they might not want to, and they offer many parents great peace of mind. They can help build good habits, help with your child's development and instil a sense of routine, whilst putting the focus on a child's good behaviour in a positive, empowering way. Just be mindful that, in some cases, using a reward chart can instil in children the idea that there's no point completing a task or chore unless they receive some sort of compensation for it. It's a good idea to keep an eye on your children's responses if you want to make sure they're having the desired effect.
That said, a reward chart is, on the whole, a great way to get kids doing what they're asked. We've gathered together a range of the best on the market so that you can find the perfect rewards chart for your family. And while you're here, why not also take a look at the best child development books and our pick of the best baby growth charts?
This personalised reward cloud is a really lovely, innovative product. Far from a traditional chart, the little wooden cloud operates as a receptacle for 16 coloured stars, which can be dropped inside through the slot in the top whenever your child completes a good deed. When the cloud is full, it's time to award a treat of your choice! Because there are no rules or labels to this design, it allows for a little more freedom; you can choose what kind of behaviour or chore earns a star and come up with your own reward system. Perhaps every star equates to a small treat, or maybe you have to get them all to be rewarded; you can work it around your family's needs and preferences and change the rules as needed. Constructed from a good, high-quality wood, it's a sustainable and durable product, and will look lovely in the kitchen, or your child's bedroom. The personalised name label is a lovely extra touch and it also comes in a cool rocket shape. A great buy.
This magnetic reward chart set is a great option for families with more than one young child, as it has room for three kids' names and three correspondingly-coloured stars. The fun animal design is bright and appealing to young kids and the thin magnetic chart sheet, pens, chores and stars can stick onto the fridge for prime visibility and easy family access. It comes with a good range of chores, tasks and goals, all of which are universally relevant to most households - a real plus point given how many come with niche responsibilities that don't end up getting used by a lot of families. It also comes with two dry erase pens to write in names and personalised rewards. A really effective, comprehensive set, all for a decent price.
Melissa & Doug are well known for making good-quality, well-designed children's toys, and this chore chart is a sturdier product than the paper or magnetic sheet variety. There are an impressive 90 magnets to stick on the hinged board, which opens up to hang on the wall with the cord attached. The bright, simple layout is lovely, as are the fun icons of the reward magnets, which feature stars, suns, hearts and balloons. Some of the sayings are a bit American, but there are four blank magnets for you to write your own personalised tasks on, and the whiteboard section at the bottom is a great place to write extra incentives, as well as store the extra magnets (though there's no whiteboard pen included). Because it's a fold-up design, it's easy to transport and store too, and would make a great reward chart to pass down to younger siblings.
This Learning Resources chore chart is a great option for kids under 10. The bright design is fun and positive without being too babyish and there's a set of 'caught you being good' magnets that include such statements as 'you were brave' and 'you used good manners' that are well suited to slightly older children. The 91-piece set includes 26 task magnets, 50 'good job' magnets and 14 'I caught you being good magnets', with two blanks for you to write your own. There's a tray at the bottom for holding the responsibility magnets and a cute little storage box for holding the reward magnets (and little treats if you so choose!). As you may be able to tell from the title the phrasing is, again, a little Americanised.
The best way to get kids excited about using a reward chart is to make the design nice and engaging. This 3D bus rewards chart definitely has that going for it; designed by a mum of two, it's been created with kids in mind, and the bright red bus looks like an illustration lifted from a children's book. It's fully magnetic and nice and sturdy; just add a passenger magnet each time your child exhibits good behaviour, completes a household task or performs an element of their bedtime routine without having to be asked. Like the little cloud above, the blank passenger magnets mean you have the freedom to assign your own reward system. It also comes with an app, so you can use this reward chart to encourage good behaviour even when out and about. It's suitable for use from as young as two, too; a beautifully-designed reward chart for toddlers.
Reward charts are all about recognising positive behaviour patterns, and a good one should really embrace that positive energy. This magnetic behaviour chart does just that. Peppered with stars, trophies and positive phrases such as 'smart!', 'super kid' and 'I can do it', it sends a really inspiring message; such positive affirmation is the best way to instil kids with the confidence and encouragement that will spur them on to complete the necessary tasks listed on it. We particularly love the use of 'I can' rather than 'I must', which empowers kids to feel capable and assured when going about their assignments, rather than begrudgingly resigned. There's space on the chore chart to track up to three kids and an impressive 250 magnets, as well as a whiteboard pen, so you can write in any goals that the 10 activity magnets don't cover. The magnetic pieces can easily be stuck to a fridge or hung on the wall and feel really solid quality. And all for £10.99; a bargain.
It's a bit pricey, but this fabric star chart was one of the prettiest reward charts we could find. The bright colours are pleasingly eye-catching and the embroidered fabric gives it a nice homemade feel. It'd make a lovely wall hanging and can be easily strung up using the chord provided. There are more than 60 pieces in the set, including 14 activity cards (including 'clear away my toys', 'go to bed on time' and 'clothes in the laundry basket') and rewards such as 'cinema', 'ice cream', 'toy' and 'day out'. There are also a number of blank cards for you to create your own rewards and a nifty target tracker along the bottom for your little one to track their progress. The shining silver stars are lovely and shimmery and there are three fuzzy pockets along the bottom to hold all the pieces. If you're looking for an effective rewards chart to encourage good behaviour that will also look lovely on the wall, this is it.
Behaviour charts can get a little pricy; this Gruffalo sticker chart is exactly the right price for what it is, and a great option for parents on a budget. There are eight blank segments in the 'tasks' section, so you can write in which goals or responsibilities your child most needs encouragement with, and 56 cute little illustrated stickers to stick beneath the days of the week as they're completed. The chart itself is a glossy and the foil stickers reusable, making it doubly good value for money. A chore chart that's simple and effective. Plus, we're huge fans of The Gruffalo!
Many parents find potty training a bit of a battle, but these sticker charts should help make the journey a little more straight forward. The set includes both potty and toilet training charts and 270 stickers, and they come in two cute, child-friendly designs, dinosaur or unicorn. The four simple actions along the side have useful graphics to help kids track their toilet use and the glossy finish means you can write on it with a dry-erase marker and it can be easily rubbed off. A great visual aid and an excellent way to incentivise potty or toilet use. And at £10.14, they're great value, too. The best toddler reward chart for potty training.
This colour-coded behaviour chart is basic but effective, and makes a great visual representation of behaviour for kids with disabilities. There are six coloured bands representing different levels of behaviour that range from 'Excellent' to 'Lose privilege' and a reusable arrow that can be moved and stuck with velcro to the appropriate row. The colourful, tiered system is clear and easy to understand and has the added benefit of being able to highlight poor behaviour as well as encourage good. The simple design makes it a great toddler reward chart as well as perfect for kids with special needs.
Kidadl Best Buys selects the top parent-recommended products across the web for families of all ages. If you liked our favourite reward charts for kids then why not take a look at our pick of the best remote control cars? Or how about our guide to the best Disney Princess gifts?
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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