Printable Reward Systems Made Easy: How to Create Custom Star Charts in Canva
- Rea Weeks
- Jul 31, 2025
- 3 min read
✨ Positive reinforcement never looked so cute.
If you’ve ever tried to get a kid (or hey, even yourself!) to stick to a routine, complete chores, or work toward a goal, you know how powerful a little motivation can be.
Enter: the custom printable star chart. 🌟
These simple reward systems are perfect for tracking behavior, routines, tasks, reading goals, screen time — you name it. And the best part? You can make your own in Canva that matches your aesthetic, theme, or even your child's favorite colors or characters.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, caregiver, or just love designing cute productivity tools, this post will walk you through how to create custom star charts in Canva — the easy, fun, and printable way.
Let’s get those stars shining! ✨
🧁 Why Use a Star Chart?
Because positive progress feels good — for kids and adults. Star charts work because they:
Reinforce good habits and behavior
Encourage consistency in a fun, visual way
Celebrate small wins (yay, dopamine!)
Help with building independence and routine
Create structure without stress
🎯 Bonus: When you design your own, you can tailor the chart to fit your exact needs — no more one-size-fits-all printables.
🛠 What You’ll Need
Before you dive into Canva, here’s what you’ll need to prep:
A free Canva account
An idea of what you’re tracking (chores, reading, behavior, etc.)
The reward or goal your chart will build toward
Optional: Clipart or stickers from Creative Fabrica for extra cuteness
A printer (or keep it digital — works for tablets too!)
Ready? Let’s design. 🎨
✨ How to Create a Custom Star Chart in Canva
1. Start with a Blank Page (Or Use a Template)
Open Canva and create a new design — 8.5x11 inches is a great size for printing.
You can start from scratch or search “star chart,” “reward chart,” or “chore chart” in Canva’s template library for a base to customize.
2. Design Your Grid or Tracker Layout
Every good star chart needs a structure. You could go with:
A weekly grid (days of the week across the top, tasks down the side)
A “fill the stars” format — 20, 30, or 50 blank stars to color in
A path to a goal (like a treasure map, rainbow, or rocket launch!)
A vertical tracker with stars to add each day
💡 Keep the layout simple, fun, and age-appropriate for whoever’s using it!
3. Customize with Colors, Fonts, and Themes
This is where the magic happens. Use:
Fun colors and friendly fonts
Canva’s built-in star shapes, badges, or stickers
Clipart to match the theme (dinosaurs, unicorns, books, sports, etc.)
Space to write the child’s name and reward goal
🎯 Canva Pro lets you upload custom graphics or use themed illustrations from their premium library too!
4. Add Visual Rewards or Motivation Cues
Don’t forget to include:
A spot for the reward they’re working toward (“When I get 20 stars, I get a trip to the park!”)
A progress bar or place to count earned stars
Icons or symbols to represent completed tasks
✨ You can even design matching stickers to print and place on the chart each time a task is completed!
5. Save, Print, and Use Again & Again
Once your design is ready:
Click Share > Download > PDF Print for the best printable quality
Laminate it for reusable fun with dry-erase markers
Or save as PNG for use on a tablet or digital planner
📌 Save the file in your Canva folders to quickly update it for new goals each week or month.
💌 Join My Mailing List for Freebies + Creative Prompts
Want a free character profile template to get started?Join my email list and get:
A printable + digital character sheet
Monthly creative freebies and Canva tips
First access to new Etsy launches
Encouraging emails for your writing + storytelling journey
Let’s make writing feel like a cozy adventure again. ✍️✨
🛍 Looking for More Reward Charts, Printables & Kid-Friendly Kits?
Check out my Etsy shop for:
Printable behavior charts
Customizable chore trackers
Daily routine checklists
Canva templates for reward systems
Themed digital paper + sticker sheets to match!
🛒 Browse it all here:
Designed to make your home, classroom, or planner a little more colorful — and a lot more fun.
💛 Final Thoughts
Creating a custom star chart in Canva is one of those small projects that brings big smiles.Whether it’s helping a child brush their teeth every day or simply encouraging a new habit, reward charts make progress feel joyful.
So go ahead — design something playful, print it out, and let those stars start shining.(You might even make one for yourself. I won’t judge. 😉)
Happy charting,
💛 Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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