Free 5-Star Token Board
A five-token star board for everyday goals. Earn five stars, then get the reward. Set your own reward and print it laminate-ready.
- 5 tokens
- Free printable PDF
- Editable in browser
I’m working for
iPad time
The printable is two pages: the board plus a sheet of cut-out tokens at the same size, so a token’s Velcro lands exactly on a board slot. No email needed.
The 5-star token board gives your child five empty star slots and one clear goal at the top, iPad time. Each time they finish a small step or show the behavior you asked for, they add a star. When all five stars are filled, they earn the reward you agreed on. This setup is a simple token economy, the same reinforcement idea behind classroom sticker systems and many ABA programs.
Five tokens works well once a child understands that effort now leads to a reward soon. Point to the empty stars before you start so the finish line is visible, then hand over a star right after each success while the good moment is fresh. Keep the reward small and repeatable so iPad time stays motivating instead of turning into a marathon session.
Stars work as stand-ins for the real reward, which lets you praise effort in the moment without stopping everything to hand over the iPad. Over time many kids need fewer reminders and start filling the board with less prompting. If five stars feels too long at first, cover a couple of slots and build up as your child gets used to the rhythm.
When to use this template
Reach for this board when your child already grasps that finishing a task leads to something they want, and you want a slightly longer stretch of cooperation than a starter board gives. It fits homework, getting dressed, or a chain of small chores where iPad time is the natural payoff.
How to customize this template
- Swap iPad time for whatever your child actually works for, like a favorite show, bubbles, or ten minutes with a parent.
- Drop to three or four stars if five feels out of reach, then add slots back as success comes more easily.
- Print a real photo of the reward and tape it over the header so a nonreader knows exactly what they are earning.
- Laminate the board and add Velcro dots so stars stick and peel cleanly, making it reusable every day.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a token board actually work?
- Your child earns a token, in this case a star, each time they do the thing you asked. The tokens are placeholders for the real reward, so you can respond right away without interrupting the task. Once every slot is full, they trade the completed board for the reward at the top.
- How many tokens should I start with?
- Most kids do best starting with three tokens so the reward comes quickly and they learn how the system works. Once they fill a short board without much prompting, stretch to five stars like this one. Adding tokens too fast is the most common reason a board stops feeling motivating.
- Should I use dry-erase or Velcro stars?
- Velcro stars give a satisfying press-and-stick moment that many kids love, and the pieces are reusable if you laminate the board. Dry-erase is faster to reset and travels well. Either works, so pick whichever your child finds more rewarding to place.
- What age is a token board for?
- Token boards suit many children from around age three up through the early school years, and older kids too when the reward is right. Younger children usually need fewer tokens and a very fast payoff. The concept matters more than the number, so adjust the count to your child.
- How is this different from a sticker chart?
- A sticker chart often tracks behavior over days or a whole week, while a token board is built for one short goal earned in a single sitting. The quick finish is what makes it work for kids who cannot wait until Friday. You can still use both, one for now and one for the bigger picture.