Participation Awards Pros & Cons [Complete Breakdown]

• Jul 16, 2025
• Trophy Deals

Let’s be honest—few things stir up stronger opinions at the post-game pizza party than participation trophies. You’ve got the parents who say every kid deserves recognition just for showing up.

And then you’ve got the folks on the other side of the bleachers insisting that handing out trophies for “just being there” sets kids up for disappointment later in life. As with most things, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

So, what are the pros and cons of participation trophies? And is this tradition helping or hurting the next generation of little leaguers, dancers, debaters, and science fair warriors?

Let’s break it down—no whistles or penalty flags, just a candid look at both sides.

The Upside: Encouragement, Confidence, and Inclusion

There’s something to be said for simply showing up. Especially for kids, showing up can be the hardest part.

New activities come with nerves, unfamiliar rules, and the risk of messing up in front of peers. When every kid gets a small reward at the end—a trophy, medal, ribbon, or certificate—it can take some of that pressure off.

Participation awards can:

• Build confidence in kids who are just starting out

• Encourage continued involvement, even after setbacks

• Reinforce the value of effort over outcome

• Create a sense of team unity—“we did this together”

In many cases, receiving a trophy or a plaque isn’t about “winning.” It’s about being seen. A shy kid who struggles on the field but gives it their best still walks away feeling acknowledged. 

That recognition can plant the seed for long-term growth, whether it’s in sports, school clubs, or any group activity where teamwork and dedication matter.

And let’s not ignore this: when the youngest kids get recognized, parents are more likely to keep bringing them back season after season.

Participation trophies can be a powerful retention tool for youth organizations and coaches who want to build strong, lasting programs.

The Flip Side: Diluted Meaning and Missed Lessons

Now, let’s shift gears.

There’s a legitimate concern that when everyone gets the same reward, the reward stops meaning much. 

If someone earns a trophy that recognizes success and hard work, it signals that they’ve truly earned it. Trophies are traditionally associated with excellence, earning something that wasn’t guaranteed.

So when the last-place team takes home the same hardware as the champions, it can blur the lines between participation and achievement.

Critics argue that:

• Constant rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation—kids may stop caring about improving

• It can create a false sense of entitlement (“I showed up, where’s my prize?”)

• It makes it harder for kids to process failure and develop resilience

• It may devalue the effort of those who genuinely excel

In short, some believe we’re missing an opportunity to teach kids one of life’s most important lessons: losing is okay. It’s not fun, but it’s part of growth. 

Falling short builds character, and bouncing back from disappointment is a skill we all need, whether we're 9 or 39.

And here’s the kicker—most kids know when they didn’t earn something. Give a generic trophy to a competitive child, and they might smile politely, but deep down? They’d rather win the real thing next season.

So yes, while there are valid pros and cons of participation trophies, context and age make a huge difference.

Age, Timing, and Intent Matter

Not all trophies are created equal, and not all kids are in the same developmental space. What works for a five-year-old soccer league might not work for a high school varsity team.

Younger children are still learning how to be part of a group. They’re developing motor skills, following instructions, and learning to manage emotions. Participation awards at this stage can support those early lessons.

By middle school or high school, however, the game changes. Teens are more aware of competition.

They understand rankings, performance, and outcomes. Giving out the same awards to everyone can feel dismissive to those who’ve gone the extra mile, and it may frustrate kids who are driven to achieve.

So maybe the real question isn’t whether participation trophies are good or bad. It’s: When and why are we giving them out?

If the goal is to celebrate effort, great. If the goal is to protect feelings at all costs, we may be missing a teaching moment. And if the goal is to motivate future excellence, we need to get more intentional about how we recognize effort and achievement.

Finding the Balance: Recognition Without Overkill

So, what’s the middle ground? How do we recognize kids without over-rewarding them? Here are a few thoughtful alternatives:

• Offer tiered recognition: participation ribbons for effort, medals for standout performance, and trophies for champions.

• Celebrate personal growth: give awards for “most improved,” “best teammate,” or “resilience.”

• Use team shoutouts or public praise as a non-physical but meaningful reward.

• Reserve trophies for milestones—completing a full season, mastering a new skill, or hitting a personal best deserves a truly personalized award.

It’s also helpful to involve kids in the conversation. Ask what motivates them. You might be surprised by how much they value the journey over the hardware.

Participation awards don’t have to be flashy or expensive to be meaningful. Sometimes, the real reward is the memory—the photo with the team, the shared pizza after the game, the sense that someone noticed they were there.

So... Are Participation Trophies Worth It?

Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Like most parenting and coaching decisions, it comes down to intention, timing, and your goals for the group. 

The pros and cons of participation trophies depend heavily on how you use them—and whether they’re part of a thoughtful reward system or just handed out to check a box.

And hey, if you are going to hand them out, make them count. Don’t settle for cheap plastic that gets tossed in a drawer. Make it feel special. That’s where we come in.

At Trophy Deals, we believe recognition should feel earned and meaningful.