Activity Description: Youth earn group rewards by adding marbles to a jar for positive behavior during meetings.
See other Reward Systems
Items Needed:
- Clear jar
- Marbles or small stones
- Tape or marker to mark the reward line
- (Optional) List of reward ideas suggested by youth
Before the Meeting Starts:
- Mark the reward line on the jar. (2–3 min)
- Count out enough marbles for each youth in the group to earn one per meeting for a total of three or four meetings. Place them in the jar.
- Use tape or a marker to show the goal line if they reach that many.
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 5–10 min):
- Ask youth what rewards they enjoy. (3–4 min)
- Write down a few group reward ideas. Choose one reward to work toward.
- Show the marble jar and explain how it works. (3–4 min)
- Leaders ask youth to add a marble when they show good behavior.
- Leaders ask youth to remove a marble when they are not following rules.
- Begin using the marble jar during the meetings. (varies)
- Add or remove marbles as needed. Encourage youth to notice progress. Make an announcement at the end of each meeting to note how much they have reached.
- Aim to fill the jar in 3–4 meetings. Remind youth how close they are to the reward.
- Congratulate the group when the jar is full. Plan the chosen reward for the next meeting OR make plans for the reward as a group at the next meeting after the jar is full.
