The Ultimate List of Employee Prizes That Actually Motivate and Excite

Employee recognition is more than just a pat on the back—it’s a key driver of engagement, performance, and retention. Whether you’re running an incentive program, a friendly competition, or an employee appreciation initiative, offering meaningful and desirable prizes can make all the difference.

But not all prizes are created equal. Some rewards will genuinely excite employees and reinforce a positive workplace culture, while others might fall flat. So, what should companies offer to make their prizes truly enticing?

We’ve compiled the ultimate list of prizes that employees will love—spanning everything from experiences to financial perks and, of course, swag!

1. Time-based rewards (because time is priceless!) ⏰

Employees value their time more than ever, making these rewards especially appealing:

• Bonus PTO: A day (or half-day) off to relax, recharge, or do whatever they please.
• Summer Fridays: Let them sign off early on a Friday.
• Flexible Work Hours for a Week: Let them start late or leave early for a week.
• Extra Work-from-Home Days: If your team is hybrid, give them additional remote days.

With a little extra time off, employees can get one step closer to the work-life balance they crave.

2. Money talks: Financial incentives that motivate 💸

Sometimes, the best reward is cold, hard cash—or something just as valuable. Try these ideas for some monetary rewards:

• Cash Bonus: No explanation needed!
• Gift Cards: To their favorite stores, restaurants, or experiences.
• Stock Options or Company Shares: Give the gift of profit sharing for a long-term investment in their future.
• Charitable Donation in Their Name: Let them support a cause they love.

There's nothing quite like money to incentivize employees to keep doing their best.

3. Exclusive experiences (because VIP treatment feels amazing) 💅

Give employees a chance to do something special:

• Lunch With the CEO or C-Suite: A private meal with leadership can be inspiring and career-boosting.
• VIP Parking Spot: A month of prime parking can be a huge perk.
• Personalized Career Coaching Session: One-on-one time with a mentor or coach.
• Behind-the-Scenes Company Experience: An exclusive tour or insight session into another department.

These rewards ensure your employees know that you see them as more than just a number.

4. Food & drink perks (because everyone loves a free meal) 🍷

Want to know how your employees feel about food? Watch their faces the next time you carry in a stack of pizzas or a cart full of ice cream. Here's how you can feed a positive company culture with food-based rewards:

• Free Lunch for a Week: On the company’s dime.
• Coffee Subscription: Free coffee for a month.
• Happy Hour or Team Dinner: A celebratory event with drinks and food.
• Gourmet Snack Box Subscription: Monthly deliveries of high-end snacks.

These yummy options are sure to persuade employees to stay productive.

5. Travel & getaways (because everyone deserves a break) ✈️

Encourage your employees to give it a rest with these enjoyable incentive options:

• Cruise: Reward a major work milestone with the experience of a lifetime.
• Weekend Getaway: Cover the cost of a hotel and travel for a weekend trip.
• Staycation Package: A luxury hotel stay in their own city.
• Airline Miles or Travel Vouchers: Let them plan their own trip.

Who knew that a chance to chill out could be so motivating?

6. Tech & gadgets (for the tech enthusiasts) 📱

Let your employees have the latest and greatest inventions:

• Latest Smartphone or Tablet: A big-ticket prize for top performers.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Perfect for productivity.
• Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker: A fun, practical gift.
• Streaming Service Subscription: A year of Netflix, Spotify, or Disney+.

Help employees streamline their personal and professional lives.

7. Swag that employees actually want 👕

Leave the keychains and T-shirts to those other companies. Branded merchandise should be cool, stylish, and high quality. Some options you might consider include:

• Custom hoodies and jackets.
• Premium water bottles.
• Wireless chargers or power banks.

Look around to see what your employees actually use, and spend your swag budget on those items.

8. Learning & development perks 📘

For employees who love to grow:

• Online Course Subscription: Access to platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or MasterClass.
• Industry Conference Ticket: Cover the cost of an in-person or virtual event.
• Book Allowance: A monthly budget for work-related or personal reading.
• Professional Certification: Pay for a relevant certification.

These incentives benefit both the employee and the organization as a whole.

9. Wellness & self-care rewards 🧘

Support employees’ mental and physical well-being:

• Gym Membership or Fitness Classes: Cover their membership for a few months.
• Spa Day or Massage: A stress-relief session.
• Mental Health App Subscription: Access to meditation or therapy apps.
• Wellness Stipend: A flexible allowance for self-care needs.

When employees are able to care for themselves, they can be happier and more productive at work.

10. Rewards that give back 🤲

For some employees, paying it forward is what truly makes their hearts sing. These rewards can help you give them the opportunity to give back:

• Time Off to Volunteer: Pay them to serve a local nonprofit during work hours.
• Put In a Good Name: Make a donation in their name to the charity of their choice.
• Donation Match: Let the team collectively donate and then have the company match their giving.
• Create a Drive: If your office is hybrid, have their teammates bring in physical donations to benefit their chosen charity.

These incentives allow you to join your employees in making the world a better place.

11. Rewards that keep on giving 🗓️

Reward employees with exclusive access to fun monthly perks, like:

• Books: Let your employees discover new works they'll want to add to their collections.
• Snacks: Give your employees a tour of the world with a monthly international snack subscription or have a shop like Jeni's Ice Cream send your employees a pint every month.
• Wine: Give your best teammates a reason to celebrate with an opportunity to taste 12 new wines this year.
• Fitness: Gift a fitness subscription box and empower your team to get moving.

Who doesn't love being part of a club?

12. Rewards that make them famous ✨

For some, an employee incentive program that includes public recognition will truly make them feel that their work matters. Here are some ways you can increase employee satisfaction by acknowledging those doing good work:

• Newsletter Feature: Feature their story in the next edition of your company newsletter.
• Social Media Shoutout: Show the world what your employees mean to you by showcasing their work on your next profile post.
• Award Ceremony: Gather the whole team (or even the whole organization) and hand out personalized awards.
• Wall of Fame: Put your teammates' pictures on a virtual or physical wall of fame as a reminder that their work matters to the organization's success.

Don't miss an opportunity to shout out your best teammates.

13. Rewards that upgrade the office 💻

Doesn't everyone want to work in a space that inspires them? These reward ideas will work well for employees longing for an office refresh:

• Upgraded Furniture: Provide a gift card to an online office store with enough funds for a new desk or chair.
• Art: Gift your employees an image of their choice for a new canvas print for their office.
• Software Upgrades: Make work easier by purchasing an upgraded version of their favorite software platform.
• Decor Improvement: Get your employee that new lamp they've been eyeing or a fancy new wall clock.

Make sure your team can work in style.

14. Rewards that fuel their personal passions 🏃

These rewards can help you keep the passion burning in your employees' lives:

• Cooking Classes: Gift a session with a chef who can teach them to make anything from pizza to dumplings to chilaquiles.
• Sponsored Content: Pay to promote your employee's written work on a prominent social media site like LinkedIn.
• Race Sponsorship: If they're passionate about fitness, sponsor your employee in their next road race or competition.
• Lessons: Pay for a few months of singing, piano, acting, or dance lessons to help your employee hone the skills that bring them joy outside of work.

Show team members that you care about them beyond what they can produce for the company.

15. Rewards that enhance their personal lives 🏠

Make employees feel valued by making their personal lives just a little bit easier:

• Meal Delivery: Eliminate the need for your employee to think about cooking for the next few weeks.
• Dog-Walking Service: Give hybrid employees peace of mind that their furry friends will be taken care of on those days when office work is necessary.
• House Cleaning: Give your employees the gift of relaxation with cleaning or laundry services.
• Car or Bike Maintenance: Relieve the financial burden of ensuring safe transportation to or from the office or around town.

With a little help, employees can finally achieve the work-life balance they need.

16. Rewards that let them call "dibs!" 🫵

One of the best ways to increase overall job satisfaction is to let employees have their first choice when it comes to work or team activities:

• Preferred Schedules: Give an employee their first choice shift or working schedule for the next few months.
• Task Assignments: Let an employee have first dibs on the tasks required for your latest project.
• Incentives: Allow employees to pick the reward they want (within a reasonable budget, of course).
• Professional Development Opportunities: Let an employee decide the next conference or training session the team will attend together.

These incentives offer a few ways to say "Your wish is my command!"

17. Game day experience rewards 🕹️

If you're searching for employee incentive program ideas, you simply cannot go wrong with something fun.

• Field Day: Split up into virtual breakout rooms with various activities to give your employees an all-day adventure.
• Escape Quest: Let employees go head-to-head navigating through a timed series of challenges to uncover secrets and have some fun.
• Murder Mystery Game: Give your employees 90 minutes to find out "Whodunnit."
• Mini Games: Create a fun competition and let employees blast through these cool puzzles and brain teasers.

These ideas let you give your employees the gift of laughter and encourage a positive work environment.

18. Rewards that let them get into the great outdoors ⛰️

Even remote employees need a little fresh air every once in a while. These rewards and incentives untie employees from their desks so they can experience the great outdoors:

• Sporting Goods Gift Card: Offer them a substantial gift card to their favorite outdoor gear store.
• Outdoor Adventure Experience: Book a trip for them to go camping (or glamping!), hiking, or kayaking.
• Bucket List Reward: Fund a wild adventure from their bucket list — like climbing the Matterhorn.
• Environmental Charity Donation: Make a donation to a charitable organization making a difference for the planet.

When you help your employees get out, you may be more likely to get their buy-in.

19. Peer-to-peer rewards 👫

Consider these ideas for effective employee incentive programs that build employee morale and promote camaraderie through peer recognition:

• Employee of the Month: Start a monthly recognition program where employees can nominate each other to receive recognition and prizes.
• Points Platforms: Invest in a digital platform where employees can give each other shout-outs and points to be redeemed for coveted items in a virtual store.
• Peer Mentorship: Give employees a chance to spend a day learning an exciting new skill from a mentor employee.
• Buddy Incentives: Let employees who are receiving recognition choose a work buddy who has contributed to their success to share in their incentive.

It's good to encourage employees to recognize the greatness in each other.

20. Just for fun: Unique & creative prizes 🏆

Sometimes, the most memorable rewards are the quirky ones:

• Mystery Box: A surprise package with various fun items.
• Pet Perks: A prize for their furry friend, like a pet subscription box.
• Company Mascot for a Day: Name a conference room or Slack channel after them.
• DIY Experience Kits: Cocktail-making, painting, or baking kits.

These distinctive rewards remind your employees how special they truly are.

Final thoughts: Make it personal & meaningful

The best prizes are the ones that resonate with your employees. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all rewards, consider surveying your team to see what excites them most. Some employees might prefer PTO over cash, while others love the idea of exclusive swag or learning opportunities.

By thoughtfully curating your prize offerings, you can boost engagement, motivation, and workplace happiness—turning simple recognition into an exciting and meaningful experience.