What are the good approaches to gamify for kids of elementary school age?

Question

Obviously, the kids of, well, my age are suckers for reputation points and badges.

What are the good approaches as far as rewards for kids elementary school age if you want to incentivize them via gamification?

• Star stickers seem a bit too 3-year-old (though may be if I call them rep points? :)

• Incentivising via edible treats seems like a REALLY bad approach to me (they are humans, not puppies).

• Incentivising via parental attention seems like a bad idea as well. Kids should never feel that parental attention is a thing to toy with.

• Incentivising via toys stops working when they accumulate too many toys or parents run out of money. When you have 20 different matchstick cars, 21st one seems to be... meh.

So, what are the GOOD approaches?

Answer 1

My favorite incentive is a good story or riddle. My children happen to love riddles and real historical stories, so if I need to encourage some behavior I will start with a teaser and let them know that the rest of the story is coming at bedtime if they do as I request.

This has the advantage of encouraging listening and paying attention, as well. When the story or riddle is a 'fun' activity that they've earned, children are much more apt to pay attention. And my kids know quite a bit of sciences, physics, and natural and human history!

Answer 2

Maybe star stickers are a bit... well trodden, but like you said, you can try re-name them to xp, or currency.

once enough currency is gained, you may translate it into actual $$ (no need for a lot) to buy basic ingredients for DIY projects to do with your kids (nothing like quality time with them..).

You could possibly build a system where there's a nice stack of DIY ideas that your kids are into, and each has a price, or "xp-required-to-unlock", or a level requirement (you could level up by successfully completing other projects)

after a few rounds of DIY's with your kids, they may feel comfortable and secure enough to try out some on their own. Best of luck - parenting is hard work :)