Essentially, this is just an alternative to give a cash allowance, but the real benefit is that the tickets can be exchanged for privileges like screen time and treats without having to keep small bills on hand. You can set the value and earnings however you’d like based on what makes more sense for your family. For me, spending time outside is important, and playing Nintendo at least uses the strategy side of her brain so this will cost her less tickets than watching TV. I also happen to know how quickly my kiddo gets sick of playing Nintendo – Mario can be frustrating haha!
Or you could just use this as a way to teach saving and financial responsibility (just like with regular allowance) and assign a monetary value to be cashed in at the end of the summer. I got a giant roll of 2000 tickets for about $6 at Wal-Mart but these smiley tickets are also super cute. Planning is as simple as writing out and explaining the values and earning opportunities. Here’s what we’ll be doing!
Value of Each Ticket
- 50 cents (cashed in only at the end of the summer)
- 20 minutes of Nintendo
- 10 minutes of TV (not including family movie nights)
Examples
- 100 Tickets = $50
- 2 Tickets = 40 minutes of Nintendo
- 6 tickets = 1 hour of TV/Movie time
How to Earn Tickets
- 1 hour outside = 1 Ticket
- 1 week straight of God and Me workbook = 3 Tickets
- All daily chores done without a reminder = 3 Tickets (Here’s our chore list for our 9 year old: Mondays – Bring in laundry and sort. Tuesdays – House pick up and put away. Wednesdays – strip her bed and re-make with clean sheets and coverlet (we have 3 sets so I’m not rushed to wash these the same day.) Thursdays – Put away her clean clothes (this corresponds with my laundry day.) Fridays – Clean room.
- Voluntarily feed and water Carl (our dog) = 1 Ticket
- Complete a Multiplication Sheet in a minute or less = 3 Tickets (order these online here)
- 100% on a Summer Slide Quiz/Worksheet = 3 Tickets (these will be worksheets or quizzes that I either print offline or write myself based on what she learned in the previous year to keep it fresh for the next year.)
- 80%-99% on a Summer Slide Quiz/Worksheet = 2 Tickets
- Memorizing a new Bible verse = 2 Tickets
Other Ideas for Different Age Groups
- Random acts of kindness (writing a letter to grandparents, drawing a picture for a friend, writing a poem for mom, giving a stranger a compliment, playing with a younger sibling, etc.)
- Mowing the lawn
- Weeding the garden
- Brushing or washing the dog
- Windexing the windows
- Doing the dishes after dinner
- Organizing the garage or helping to organize the garage
- Washing the car
- Vacuuming all the carpets
- Fixing lunch for the family
- Writing a short story based on a prompt you give
Bonus Idea for Multiple Kids
If you buy a double ticket roll you can keep the other side in a big bowl and do weekly or monthly drawings for a prize. Maybe an extra dessert or $5 bill, etc. A little friendly competition comes with a lot of opportunity for growth! 😉
