Top 4 Creative Student Awards

*This post contains affiliate links for convenient viewing*

Throughout the year, and especially as the year ends, we often look to acknowledge our students’ strengths as a way to give them encouragement and keep them motivated.  It’s also common to hand out student awards for overall achievement at the end of the year as a way to celebrate their efforts. But, in all honesty, this can get kind of boring.  So, I give you: the top 4 creative student awards that you MUST try!

1. Ribbons

This is unlike your typical certificate because students can wear them and display them with pride to all their classmates.  There is something so rewarding in receiving a ribbon!  This can be a neat DIY to try out, and it gives you the flexibility to create unique awards catered to your specific students.  This award idea is a keeper!

 

Create your own unique categories.
Create your own unique categories. (Taken from Teachers Pay Teachers)
DIY awards using ribbon.
DIY using ribbon. (Taken from 100 Layer Cake)
DIY awards using paper.
DIY using paper. (Taken from Finding Time To Create)
Student awards.
If you’re strapped for time, you can purchase generic ribbons on Amazon.

2. Award Hats!

This would work so perfectly for grades 3 and under!  Any grades above this probably wouldn’t respond as well, but gauge your specific class.  Award hats are another creative form of acknowledging your students!  You can add your own decorative flare and create unique categories once again.

Students can design their own award hats after receiving the awards.
Students can design their own hats after receiving the awards. (Taken from Teachers Pay Teachers)
Plain party hats can be turned into student awards!
Purchase plain hats and add whatever you like on Amazon.

 

A cut-out hat, to make for students!
Here is a great cutout, so that you can choose whatever pattern you want displayed on the hat. (Taken from Polka Dot Chair)

3. Wristbands

This one can work across grades.  It’s a more subtle way of awarding your students, but can be worn proudly and even kept for some time depending on the quality.  If you’re crafty you can turn this into a DIY project.

Student wristbands as awards, awesome!
These can be purchased from amazon.
A printable wristband for student awards.
A printable. (Taken from Twinkl)

4. Conventional Certificates, with creative award categories:

Classic awards will not be lost on your students.  They’ll beam up just the same with a conventional award; it’s the acknowledgement and praise that they will truly appreciate.  Besides, with a certificate award, you can really get creative with the graphics and award categories.

50 award categories.
50 award categories. (Teachers Pay Teachers)

 

a skill worth recognizing.
Because this is a skill worth recognizing. (Taken from Teachers Pay Teachers)
Everyone loves a little peak into the future.
Everyone loves a little peak into the future. (Taken from Teachers Pay Teachers)
Create and print your own awards on card stock.
Create and print your own awards on card stock. (Taken from Seusstastic)
Community helper themed awards.
Community helper themed awards. (Taken from Second Gradealicious)
Student certificates
If you’e strapped for time, you can purchase certificates like these…

Student certificatesStudent certificatesStudent certificates

Which of these awards is your favorite?

[polldaddy poll=8867298]