Looking for a simple and effective behavior management system that actually motivates students? Brag tags might be exactly what your classroom needs.
If you’re tired of constantly refilling your treasure box and spending your own money on rewards, this is a solution that builds motivation, celebrates student success, and creates a positive classroom environment.
What You’ll Learn
- What brag tags are and how they work
- Why brag tags are an effective behavior management tool
- How to introduce brag tags in your classroom
- Real teacher examples of how brag tags build motivation
What Are Brag Tags?
A brag tag is a small reward students earn for making positive choices, showing growth, or reaching goals.
But they’re more than just a reward system—they help build:
- confidence
- ownership
- classroom community
Students can earn brag tags for:
- academic achievements
- positive behavior
- character traits
- personal growth
Why Use Brag Tags Instead of a Treasure Box?
Before using brag tags, many teachers rely on prize boxes or tangible rewards—but those systems can become expensive and lose effectiveness over time.
Brag tags offer a better alternative because they:
- reduce the need to constantly buy prizes
- motivate students through recognition, not “stuff”
- create long-term excitement and goal-setting
- celebrate both academic and social success
How to Introduce Brag Tags in Your Classroom
At the beginning of the school year:
- Give each student a necklace chain
- Add their first personalized brag tag with their name
- Explain how they can earn more tags
Necklace chains are inexpensive (often around $0.25 each), and students LOVE collecting and wearing their tags. The necklace chains can be purchased on Amazon.
You can also:
- attach them to backpacks
- display them on desks
- create a classroom brag tag board
The excitement builds quickly, and students begin working toward earning more.
Want to Try Brag Tags in Your Classroom?
If you’re ready to simplify your behavior management system and motivate your students:
Get started with 100 brag tags for just $1
What teachers are saying about Brag Tags
Brag tags have been transformational in my classroom. Other teachers repeatedly come to me to thank me for creating this system.
“Brag tags have been a real game changer in my class! I love how I can reward both academic and personal successes. It has created such a positive environment where students celebrate each other.”
“My first graders love them. They want to wear them all the time and show off their accomplishments—both academic and social.”
“My students take so much pride in earning brag tags. It’s become a huge motivator and a way to recognize growth in a meaningful way.”
“For many of my students, praise isn’t something they hear often. Brag tags give them a sense of pride and accomplishment they carry with them every day.”
How Do You Manage and Store Brag Tags?
Teachers use a variety of simple systems:
- small drawers or toolboxes
- labeled bins or envelopes
- classroom display boards
The key is keeping them organized and easy to access so you can hand them out consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brag Tags
Are brag tags effective for behavior management?
Yes. They focus on positive reinforcement and help build intrinsic motivation over time.
What can students earn brag tags for?
Anything from academic progress to kindness, effort, and responsibility. Learn More About Using Brag Tags.
Do brag tags work for all grade levels?
They are especially effective in primary grades but can be adapted for older students.
Key Takeaways About Using Brag Tags
- Brag tags are a low-cost alternative to prize boxes
- They build motivation through recognition, not rewards
- Students take pride in earning and collecting them
- They support both academic and social-emotional growth
Final Thoughts
Classroom management is always evolving, and finding something that truly motivates your students can make a huge difference.
Brag tags are simple, effective, and meaningful—and they just might be the system that transforms your classroom culture.
If you are curious to learn more about brag tags, how I organize them, store them, hand them out, and manage them in my own classroom, be sure to visit frequently asked questions about brag tags for all the details!
Ready to Try Brag Tags in Your Classroom?
If you’re looking for a simple, low-cost way to boost motivation and build a positive classroom culture, brag tags are a great place to start.
They’re easy to implement, meaningful for students, and can completely replace systems like treasure boxes.
Get started with 100 brag tags for just $1
Browse all the brag tag options here!
64 Responses
This is a great idea!!! Can't wait to try this with my class! What are the necklaces made out of?
Carrie
Table Talk with C & C
I LOVE the brag tag idea!!! Your tags are super adorable! I am definitely going to have to try it out…now it's just a matter of where to hang them. I love your display 🙂
Colleen
Totally Terrific in Texas
Thanks Colleen! I appreciate it! Just another idea…if you are short on space for displaying them…I have hung 5 on one hook before and then labeled all 5 names above the hook. It did seem to work out just fine if you are having a hard time finding the space!
What are the containers called?
Hello Amy, Here is a link to the containers we used in the photographs in this post.
I really love this idea!! Do the kids ever wear them? What do you do when it gets all filled up? How often do you give them out? Daily? or as appropriate? Thanks for the feed back.
Hi Michele! Thanks for your inquiry! Yes, my kids ask to wear them from time to time. At the beginning of the year they wanted to wear them all the time so I had to limit it a bit more. If we go to an assembly, we wear them. We have a Camp Read-a-Lot Day a few times a year and they wear them all day on this day too. The necklaces never get completely filled up…it would take hundreds of tags to fill up the whole necklace. I give them out for amazing behavior that I catch, perfect spelling tests, all homework turned in for the month, etc. Does that help? Let me know if you have any questions!
I love this idea! How do you incorporate the beads?
Hello Kailey! Great question! The colored beads are just a fun way of personalizing each chain and to create space between bunches of brag tags. Have fun with brag tags in your classroom!
Do these come in Spanish?
No, I am sorry Yolanda but they do not. Sorry I couldn't be more of a help! 🙂
Thank you for this great idea! Something on Pinterest last summer inspired me to switch to laminated, reusable reward cards for things like 'sitting in the teacher chair' and that has worked well this year and really cut down prize box costs. I can't wait to move on up to Brag Tags!
Do you allow the students to remove their necklaces if they want to wear them?
Also, have you experienced too much bragging? I would like for this system to be used as a motivator, and encourager. However, I can see it easily becoming a competition, and students feeling upset or offended. How to you foster that community sense of accomplishment with these brag tags?
What an insanely brilliant idea! I've been using a treasure box this year (just filled with pencils/pens/erasers etc) and it has worked very well! But I like this idea a whole lot more!
Just a thought though… I don't love the name "brag tags"… Like Jenelle said above, could the bragging be a negative side?
I'd be inclined to change the name to something like "fab tags" instead.
I’m starting these this fall but I’m going to call them WOW Tags. Wonderful Outstanding Work. I wanted to get away from the “brag” word too.
I'd call them Swag Tags, I think!
That's a great name change! It puts a more positive spin on it, in my opinion.
I love this idea! Are you printing them on cardstock to prevent curling or does printer paper work since they are so small? Thank you for your help!
The regular printer paper definitely works just fine and seem to stay on their necklaces all year too. I'm glad you love the idea and hope that you love it in your classroom too!!!
How do you purchase these?
Hey Amanda! If you click on any of the pictures in this post, it will take you to the product in my TPT store. You can purchase them there! Let me know if you have any more questions!
Do you have a link to the organizer you use? I can't seem to find it. I love your brag tags!
I LOVE it! Am starting my board RIGHT NOW!!!! I can even use my STAR awards from last year with the character trait circled. This is a great visual for the teacher to see who we forget about and who we seem to focus on more than others when giving awards. Now ALL kids will be honored for their strengths 🙂 Also, I really like the positive idea for "SWAG BOARD" with my "cool" 5th graders!
I saw something similar in a classroom a while ago which gave cards but these are much nicer looking. I think i will try this out with my kids next year.
I love these! This looks like a wonderful idea and I might just try this next year! My only question is can the students get the same tag more than once? Or is it like once you have it, you have it type deal? For example if a kid is good for the sub on multiple occasions…do they get one each time? Or is it like a boy scout badge where they earn it, keep it the rest of the time and move onto another one?
Cute idea!!! How could these work as a specialist?
I have 4th and 5th graders. I use tags like this on their lockers. They love having things posted on the outside of their locker and they get really competitive.
In your photo, I notice a letter (at least I think that is what it is). Does this explain Brag Tags to parents? I would love to see what it says. Is it part of one of your brag tag packs?
Hi Jennifer. Yes, the brag tag letter explains to parents what brag tags are and how they are used. This should be offered for free in this post by clicking on the hyperlink. Let me know if you need any more help with this.
I love this idea!
What do you use the beads for? I like how they look on the necklace with the tags. Do they get beads for certain things or just as you feel led to give them.
Hi Anne. I give beads for their AR points but I know that some teachers have given beads for class compliments, number of chapter books read, number of 100% on comprehension quizzes, and reading homework minutes. Hope that helps!
Loooooove the idea. Was getting tired of the “prize box”…..do you have any for music? I teach group piano
Hi Rita. At this time I don’t have any brag tags specifically for music but I think that several of the brag tags from my School Days Bundle would be adaptable for music class. Here’s the link if you want to take a closer look: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BRAG-TAG-BUNDLE-Addition-Subtraction-Math-Fact-Master-2295413 I’m thinking “My Teacher is Proud of Me”, “100%” “I Have Stamina”, “Great Effort”, etc… Hope that helps!
I am a PreK-6 librarian and have just purchased your AR Brag Tags and Animal Brag Tags to use as AR incentives the upcoming school year. Do you have any pointers or suggestions as to how they can be used in a school library setting? Our school has an enrollment of about 750 students.
Hi Patty. I have had several librarians reach out to me about these brag tags this week! Crazy! My suggestion for other librarians would be to give the kids their brag tags to take home or add to a necklace that they keep in their locker and wear when they come to library. If this is too hard to manage, the tags could just be added to their necklace on their own after earning them from you. Hope that helps! I love this idea!
Any ideas on how to use these for students who meet with their mental health clinician at school? I have students work through some hard stuff as well as things like friendship and honesty. I’m not sure how to use the tags if the student is the only one working with the provider in that class. ideas?
Do any of your brag tag packs have growth mindset tags?
Hi Sarah. I don’t have any growth mindset tags but I would be happy to make a set for you if you can help me put together a list of suggestions! I would need about 15 different brag tag sayings to make a set. If this is something that you’d be interested in collaborating with me on, please email me at angie@luckylittlelearners.com. I would happy to send these to you for free once they are finished if you can help me with the ideas! 🙂
I love growth mindset! Please let me know if you make a set.
Can Kinders easily open these chains and self manage this by themselves? I have added all your things to my wish list but I really want this to be self managed.
Hi JJ. I have a lot of kindergarten teachers who use brag tag necklaces with their students. My suggestion is to start the year by showing them how to open and close the necklaces and allowing them to practice for about 5 minutes each day for about a week or so. Typically, about half of your kinder will be able to do this independently. The rest of the students are then instructed to ask a friend who knows how to open and close them when they need to add a tag. The kids are really good about knowing who can help them with this task since they will be adding to their necklace on a weekly basis. Hope that helps!
I’m curious how you handle AR. When students earn their points, they receive the corresponding brag tag, right. Do they earn anything else along the way?
Hi Rebecca. The only reward that my students get with the AR program is the brag tags. I am trying to do away with as much treasure box rewards as possible. Hope that helps!
I love all the information about brag tags! I recently came across many Pinterest ideas about using them, which I had never heard before. I was sold immediately, but I am limited in time because our school year starts in 2 weeks. I have searched Amazon for the chain necklaces and stumbled upon these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NA5CDF2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=AAAUH3AR4JBK&coliid=I2L4HKHXP65ZFZ (13 cents a piece) do you think they would work well?
Hi Juliet. Thanks for your message. I think those necklaces are a great price but I would worry about the number of brag tags you’d be able to fit on that little hook. That being said, you might be able to just send them home at the end of each grading period. Hope that helps!
I love your brag tags!! I spend so much money on treasure box items it is ridiculous. I informed my principal about the brag tags. She wants me to present this fabulous reward system to the rest of the teachers when we return on the 11th. I am kind of nervous.
Hey Elise! How exciting about your brag tag presentation! BTW, I can completely relate to the $$$ towards the treasure box problem…I did it for too many years! If you need anything for your presentation, please don’t hesitate to ask! I would love to provide any input I can with this! My email address is angie@luckylittlelearners.com if you want to chat about this further!
There may be a comment about it but how do u use the beads?
hi I really like your brag tag idea. I have spent sooo much money on my treasure box. im not good at this stuff so I want to purchase your tags please let me know exactly how to do so thanks a lot denise smith
Hi Denise!
I have placed a link below that will bring you directly to my best selling brag tags for purchase on TpT. Thank you for reaching out, I appreciate it! Have a great day!
http://bit.ly/2l4wpq6
Angie Olson
Lucky Little Learners
Hi! I really love this idea and have already gone and bought the big bundle. How do you use the holiday-themed ones?
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for your message.
I use the holiday brag tags as a behavior incentive. For example, on the day of the Halloween party, I wear a class set of Halloween brag tags on my teacher lanyard. I tell the kids in the morning that I will be looking for the following good behaviors throughout the day. For those who show me those good behaviors, they will earn a Halloween brag tag.
They work great because typically the holiday party days tend to be a bit more hectic. The brag tags are a nice incentive because they are brand new to them and the kids are excited to add one to their necklace.
Angie Olson
Lucky Little Learners
Hi there, I love the “brag, swag tag” idea and I’ve been using with my kids all year. They love it!! What are the colored beads for?
Thanks.
Hi Mabel!
It is out understanding that the colored beads are just a fun way of personalizing each chain and to create space between bunches of brag tags. I hope this helps! Have a great day!
Bailey J.
Lucky Little Learners
I want to purchase these but which do you suggest for my first time using brag tags? There are so many options and bundles! Also, do you have the digital page of the explanation of brag tags that I can place in my students binders? I’m so excited about these!
Hello Britt! Thank you for your interest in brag tags! The brag tag bundle #1 is a good one to start with because it has a good mix of tags. You can view it here: https://shop.luckylittlelearners.com/product/brag-tags-bundle-195-pages/ Best of luck using brag tags in your classroom this year!
I came across an ad on FB about your brag tags and think they’re a fun way to give the kiddos some intrinsic motivation. I teach 5th grade, is this too kiddish for upper elementary? Also, do the kiddos keep the rags all year or does it start over every week?
Hello Tabitha! Kids keep the brag tags all year! I have no idea if 5th graders would like them or not but I bet if you used the editable ones and wrote things on them that they were interested in they would like it. Thanks for these great questions!
Any ideas on how to incorporate these into a middle school classroom?
I LOVE this idea but I have 3 year olds. How could we use this idea with them.
Love this idea! I’m a substitute teacher. Any ideas how this might work for me when I sub?
Great question, Lauren! It would be fun to put a brag tag on the board before school in the morning. Tell the students they are working to earn the tag so you can “brag” to their teacher how amazing their behavior was!