Prize facts for kids

A cool car given as a prize at a shopping mall in Indonesia

Skateboarders happy to get a free skateboard deck as a prize at a skate contest in 2021

A prize is a special award given to a person or a group, like a sports team. It's a way to say "great job!" and celebrate what they've done. Prizes can be anything from a shiny medal to money or even a cool trophy. Winning a prize often brings fame and recognition too!

Prizes are also given to encourage good behavior or to make people try their best in competitions. Most people see prizes as a good thing, and winners are often admired. However, some very famous prizes can sometimes cause arguments or jealousy.

What Kinds of Prizes Are There?

There are many different types of prizes, each with its own special meaning:

• Booby Prize: This is usually a funny or silly prize given to the person who finishes last in a game or competition. It's meant as a joke!
• Consolation Prize: If you don't win the main prize but still did a great job, you might get a consolation prize. It's a way to recognize your effort.
• Top Prizes: In many contests, the best award is called "first prize," "grand prize," or a "gold medal." The next best are "second prize" or a "silver medal," and then "third prize" or a "bronze medal." Sometimes, a "grand prize" is even bigger and better than a "first prize"!
  • In the UK, the top prize on a game show is often called a "star prize." In Australia, it's known as a "major prize."
• Art Prizes: Sometimes, in art competitions, a prize is money given to buy the winning artwork. This is called a "purchase prize."
• Challenge Prizes: These are rewards for solving a big problem or achieving a difficult goal. They encourage people to invent new things or find solutions that help everyone.

See also

In Spanish: Premio para niños

• Award
• Medal
• Prize money
• Prizes named after people