Why would you make a prize box for people to take things out of when you’re footing the bill? This activity box is different. For this type of activity box, you’ll be designing boxes to aid others in the creation of their own “prize” activity box.
Steps
1. Why?
Prize boxes allow you to give small gifts to those who are in your troop or group. Reasons why might include:
- Award for going beyond expectations
- BINGO prizes
- Birthday gift
- Helping without being asked
- Incentive for good behavior
- Thank you to someone outside your troop / group
Well, you get the idea. Having a prize box available enables you to reward others as things happen, not at a future time when the reason why has been forgotten.
This badge is about helping others make their own prize box. You’ll be providing ideas and information with a few printables on the side. Looking at activity boxes in different ways allows you to imagine even more possibilities.
2. Purchase.
Yes, I work very hard to try to make all the steps in the badge programs free, but sometimes really cheap is as close to free as you can get. Some purchases may be necessary.
For a prize activity box, include a list of places online and offline where you can purchase low-cost items. In addition, you might want to note sales (especially recurring), coupon sites and more to help your user save even more money. Start with places like Oriental Trading and Dollar Tree.
3. Thrift.
Going to thrift and resale shops is a great way to get low-cost items. Set a limit for what you’re willing to spend before you go. This is both for the individual items and your overall trip. What you’ll find will vary from shop to shop. You can also go outside your normal items if you find something unique. Keep an open mind as you look.
4. Yard sales.
Yard sales, auctions and estate sales are just a few places you can pick up low-cost items for your prize box. You might even find some larger prizes the kids will love. Include a list of items to look for as well as those to avoid. Providing tips and tricks can go a long way to helping someone who hasn’t tried this.
For example, one type of item you’re likely to find at sales are books. You might want to list things to look for such as making sure all pages are intact, they aren’t written or colored on, the book is age appropriate, acceptable price range, etc.
5. Dumpster.
Be careful. In some places, people are very against dumpster diving. There is a time and place for this. If you live in a college town, you’re probably well aware of the items foreign students throw out because they cannot take everything home. Shops also throw out a lot of items because it’s better at tax time to discard items than donate them. I know managers who save items on the side for charity organizations and then notify them to pick them up so these goods aren’t just thrown in a landfill. For this, you might mention times of year to go, steps to fully clean items, items to avoid, things to look for and more. If you feel uncomfortable with this possibility, do not do it.
6. Recycle.
Ask your friends and family for items they no longer want. You might receive craft materials, small toys from kid’s meals, unused or gently used toys, games, etc. You can ask them to check with others as well to expand the reach you have for recycled items. Repurposing these items will give you some larger items in the prize box. Brainstorm items you might ask for. Test it yourself to see what you get.
7. Printables.
Printables are easy to make and can be copied so you have a piece basically forever. From instructions on activities and games to the items in the following steps, you can do a lot with printables. Make your printables special by using specialty paper, unusual colors and more. Beyond the items in the next three steps, you might also choose to have printables for:
- Bookmarks
- Color sheets
- Cootie catchers
- Finger puppets
- Games
- Mazes
- Mini-posters
- Origami shapes
- Paper dolls
- Puzzles
- Trading cards
8. Coupons.
Printables of coupons might seem crazy to you, but how excited do your kids get when they get to choose the game that’s played or they get to be “it.” Check out the starting coupons in the supplement area to see examples. Brainstorm additional coupons that might be used by a troop or group. Create a few and put the masters into sheet protectors for your activity box.
9. Certificates.
There’s nothing better than being the best! You can make a variety of certificates that can be in a prize box. While they’re not something you’d want others to choose, you’ll be able to hand them out. Brainstorm possible certificates that would work as a prize. Create one or two for your activity box.
10. Minibooks.
Minibooks can be everything from an activity book with puzzles and coloring pages to rules for a variety of ways to play tag. Check out the minibooks that were released with the “Zine / Minibooks” badge program. Brainstorm other minibooks you might want to create.
11. Crafted.
Small hand-made items are a great addition to a prize box. For “Activity Box Prizes,” you can put in patterns or instructions on how to make these for your activity box. Look online and find free instructions on how to make crafted items. Some might include:
- Bookmarks
- Bubble wands
- Dolls — magnetic / paper / yarn
- Finger puppets
- Friendship bracelets
- Games — Mikado / Pick-Up-Sticks / Tangram / etc.
- Keychains
- Magnets / fridgies
- Monsters — crochet / knit / paper / yarn / etc.
- Necklaces
- Ornaments
- Pet rock (Add wiggle eyes!)
- Puppets
- SWAPs
- Zipper pulls
NOTE: You’ll see quite a few of these items listed in the supplements for the Activity Box Crafts and Activity Box SWAPs badge programs.
12. Volunteer.
You don’t have to craft everything yourself. Crafters and makers often have materials left over and can provide crafted prizes quickly. They win because they are using up their leftover supplies. You win because you have more for your prize box.
13. Donations.
Does your group or organization have a special way to handle donations of new items? Do you send out a special thank you to donors? Do they need something to include in their taxes to show they donated items to you? Create an activity box specific to these questions. Make it easy for someone to follow so they can get donations for their activity box prizes.
Donation items might include:
- Art / craft supplies
- Balls — beach / bouncy / miniature / etc.
- Books — activity / color / read / etc.
- Candy
- Chalk
- Costume / play jewelry
- Coupons to fast food restaurants
- Fun socks
- Hair accessories
- Hand-held games
- Hats and gloves
- Pencils and erasers
- Small games — jacks / jump rope / marbles
- Stickers
- Stuffed animals, small
- SWAPs
- Toys
14. Drive.
You can make filling prize activity boxes a service project. Ask leaders, teachers and other adults who have varying aged kids if they would like to participate. Make a list of items you think people might have at home. As kids get older, parents and grandparents have items they want to remove from their homes. Providing a place, especially if you do it every year at the same time, allows them a chance to get rid of old items and you to get an influx. Many items may not be age appropriate for you, so you will want to sort the items amongst all participants.
15. More.
Brainstorm other items that might be included in a prize box. Explore how you might acquire these items. Are the steps doable by others? If so, create an activity box for your own ideas.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- 0EP_B_BPG_AB Prizes_2in_12up_MS1_larajla — generic badge printable
- 0EP_BLIST_AB Prizes_MS1_larajla — badge items per membership level
- 0EP_BSET0_AB Prizes_MS1_larajla —badge set and related badges
- 0EP_SUPP0_AB Prizes_Journal_MS1_larajla — badge journal
- 0EP_SUPP0_AB Prizes_Planner_MS1_larajla — badge planner
- 0EP_SUPPL_AB Prizes_MS1_larajla — supplements currently available per membership level
Supplement Fun
- SUPP_AB Fun_EPBS_Activity Box_MS2_larajla — Enrichment Project Badge Set: Activity Box
- SUPP_AB Fun_EPBS_Enrichment Project_MS2_larajla — Enrichment Project Badge Set: Enrichment Project
- SUPP_AB Fun_EPBS_Enrichment Project Supps_MS2_larajla — Enrichment Project Badge Set: Enrichment Project Supplements
- SUPP_List Fun_AB Prize Possibilities_MS2_larajla — List Fun: Possibilities for a Prize Activity Box
- SUPP_Printable_Coupon_Game Choice_MS2_larajla — Printable: Game Choice Coupon as prize
- SUPP_Printable_Coupon_Grace Choice_MS2_larajla — Printable: Grace Choice Coupon as prize
- SUPP_Printable_Coupon_Song Choice_MS2_larajla — Printable: Song Choice Coupon as prize
NOTE: Actual digital activity box contents and supporting information can be found on the Membership Site under “Activity Box Fun.” This information will be updated online, but not included in this badge program.
Sites to Explore
- thecornerstoneforteachers.com/how-to-fill-prize-box-for-free
- forums.atozteacherstuff.com/index.php?threads/prize-box.111704
- www.southernmomloves.com/2015/10/reward-good-behavior-make-and-fill.html
- www.canva.com/templates/certificates
- www.creativecertificates.com/certificate-maker
- www.pinterest.com/shagpad72/prize-box
- www.pinterest.com/explore/reward-coupons/?lp=true
- www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Rewards-and-Incentives-FREE-List-4246884
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post