DIY LEGO Reward Chart for Kids
Of all my LEGO projects that I made for M this past summer, this DIY reward chart for kids was the absolute biggest hit (and yep, I did save best for last!) You can check out our LEGO t-shirt, LEGO cap, and LEGO backpack, but this cool brick tape project adds a whole new dimension to how we used it. Disclosure: this post contains commissioned links.
Since we first tried brick tape a few months ago when we made M this LEGO Kippah, we have been hooked on the possibilities.
While we found that it needed extra glue reinforcement on fabric, on cardboard it just sticks right on.
We also found that it works better for projects like wearables where you’re using the brick tape and the LEGO bricks for an aesthetic factor, rather than a functional one.
I had this brilliant idea to try something much simpler that gives it much more function.
For a while, we have been using a reward chart for kids to help M with dressing in the morning (as well as other tasks). I had three problems:
- Whenever we finished a chart, it took me a week to get around to figuring out a new one.
- It lacked immediate gratification (the stickers just weren’t doing it for him).
- I had to figure out a new reward each time – and gosh, that can be hard!
How our reward chart for kids works:
We’ve tried this LEGO chart system for a couple of months alerady and it’s been a huge hit. M has completed it ten or so times and we’ve already been through a box of LEGO.
Here’s how it works:
- He earns a LEGO “sticker” on the chart for completing a task (for example, for dressing himself, we give him one for doing it himself, one for no reminders along the way, and one for putting his things in the laundry after he gets dressed.)
- He gets to put it on himself (fun!!)
- Each square gets one “sticker” – he doesn’t need to fill the squares.
- When he has 25 “stickers” the chart is complete! He gets to keep all those pieces.
- We usually give bonus pieces as well for completing a chart – either the pieces that didn’t fit on the chart, larger pieces from a huge lot I bought off eBay, or something along those lines.
This reward chart for kids system has been flawless for us. I’m not exaggerating.
I don’t have to deal with figuring out prizes – and prizes can get pricey! I’m not a fan at all of novelty junk – they break all over and don’t get played with much.
Here, M gets to build his LEGO collection. And since you get a good few rounds out of a small $10 box of LEGO classic, it’s cost-effective too. It got even more cost effective when I bought a huge lot of LEGO off eBay for $27 – now we’re stocked up for life.
The chart gets reused over and over again – and it looks pretty hanging up near our kitchen!
Why our reward chart for kids says on it “mission accomplished”:
Okay, I know I have a lot of “intro” here for a craft, but if you want to just jump to the tutorial, scroll down.
But for those who are interested, I wanted to share a little trick – how I get M to do more chores and to listen with less complaining.
In my mind, chores are all about how you market it. So, I call them “missions” and yell “mission accomplished” when he finishes them. It really helps put a new spin on it and make it less burdensome because it helps him fathom himself something of a superhero for helping Mommy.
That system I won’t say is foolproof but it has definitely reduced the amount of clean-up arguments around here.
What you need to make a DIY LEGO reward chart for kids:
- A piece of cardboard or chipboard approximately 12×12 inches – I used the backing from some loose scrapbook paper I bought online. You can use the back of a scrapbook pad too, or a piece of corrugated cardboard cut to size.
- Brick tape four studs wide
- Paint – I used the super cool FolkArt Color Shift paint that Plaid sent me for free as part of their Ambassador program. It has a really cool iridescent sheen and makes it look much prettier as part of my permanent kitchen decor…
- A paintbrush
- A string – I used scrap paracord from these paracord headbands
- A hole punch
- Alphabet stickers – mine came from this book (a stencil would work too – optional)
- LEGO to fill your chart with
How to make a DIY reward chart for kids using LEGO:
1. Paint your cardboard and allow it to dry completely.
2. Paint another layer and allow it to dry completely. If you’d like, you can paint a third as well. How cool is the matte-metallic sheen of the FolkArt Color Shift paint?
3. If you’d like to decorate your DIY reward chart for kids, add some stickers, write out “Mission accomplished!”, your child’s name, the purpose of the chart, or anything. The stickers may lift a little – you can paint with Mod Podge on top if you’d like, but I just pressed them back on and ultimately they stayed in place.
4. Cut 25 4×4 pieces of brick tape. Arrange it in 5 rows of 5 (or however you plan to set up your chart) without sticking it on – once you add it to a painted surface, removing it will remove the paint.
6. Once you are satisfied with the layout, remove the backing from one piece at a time and stick it in place.
7. If you’d like to hang it, just punch two holes and tie on a length of string.
Your DIY reward chart for kids is ready to be filled with LEGO! Allow your child to add it him or herself to add to the excitement!
How will you be using this DIY reward chart for kids as an incentive for your kids? Comment below!
Loved this cool LEGO project? Try the ideas below!
