Free or Inexpensive Ways to Reward Your Tween

Parents of tweens are often faced with the challenge of coming up with appropriate rewards for their tween. Rewards for adolescents who are not quite children anymore, but not teens yet, can be difficult to choose. The happy face stickers for the reward chart you used back when your tween was a child are no longer appealing. Rewards for a tween should be appealing to their age group. Tween rewards should be based on a tweens interests, as well as the guidelines set up for what behaviors or deeds will earn a reward. Parents can decide ahead of time what they plan to reward their tween for, but there may be times when a random reward is warranted. Rewards for teens do not necessarily have to be in the form of material goods. Some of the best tween rewards are free. The top 10 ways to reward a tween can be a starting guide for reward ideas, adapted to suit the needs of any tween.

1. Praise

The number one tween reward is praise. The reward of praise or congratulations for a job well done, or a good deed is a wonderful gift for a tween. Positive praise will help to reinforce good behavior, as well as provide attention. Tweens need regular praise when they earn it. Praise should be specific for tweens, focusing on the specific deed or behavior that has earned the praise.

2. Extra Attention or Time

Tweens may not tell you how much they enjoy one-on-one time with you, but extra attention or time with your tween can be a great reward for both parent and child. One way to reward a tween is to schedule special time together, planning a favorite activity or even going on a short excursion.

3. Special Treats or Favorite Meal

Food as a reward is generally not recommended when it is the only type of reward offered, but a special treat or favorite meal can be an excellent choice for a tween reward. Cook your tween's favorite dinner as a surprise or take your tween out to their favorite ice cream shop. If your tween has a favorite restaurant, plan a lunch or dinner there as a reward.

4. Extra Time with Friends

Tweens who have earned a reward can be given extra time with friends as a reward. Tweens generally like to socialize at that age range, and peers are important. Allowing extra time with a friend to hang out or have a sleep over is a good reward choice for tweens who like to spend time socializing with friends.

5. Movie Tickets

Movie tickets can be pre-purchased at most local theaters, as well as online at many major theater websites. A movie ticket or pair of tickets can serve as a larger reward for a tween. Most movie tickets are priced in the $8-10 range.

6. CD or Book

If your tween is an avid reader or music fan, the gift of music or reading is suggested. Tweens who like to read can be given a new book or taken to the local book store to choose a new book as a reward. Music loving tweens can be given gift cards for song downloads for their ipod or can be taken to the local music store to pick up the latest CD as a reward.

7. Less Chores

Another way to reward tweens is to lighten their normal chore load. Tweens can be given the option of choosing a chore to eliminate from their regular chore list as a reward. If your tween puts extra effort into studying for a test, it is easy to give a free pass on doing the dishes that evening.

8. Special Event

Special events can be used as larger rewards for tweens. Is there a concert coming to town or a carnival? Local events and outings can be the perfect reward for a tween.

9. Reward Coupons

Parents who liked to use the sticker charts for their children when they were younger may enjoy creating reward coupons for their tween. Reward coupons can be used as a type of reward currency for special treats or specific rewards. Coupons can be given and saved for larger rewards.

10. Extra Allowance

Money may not be the best answer as a reward for some families, but tweens can learn about saving and spending when monetary rewards are used responsibly. Extra allowance or small amounts of money can be given to tweens who have earned a reward. Monetary rewards should be minimal, based on the reward earned.