Token Board Maker
Create and print a free token board with matching cut-out tokens for classroom or home use. Choose 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 tokens and one of eight symbols, then add your target and reward text. Complete the form to open the maker. No account or purchase is needed; marketing emails are optional.
Want a written guide and ready-made boards? Explore the optional Token Economy System download — $39.99. The maker below is free.
Free companion guide: The ABCs of Autism — plain-language basics for families, instant digital access →
Cut-out tokens and Velcro pieces are small. Supervise their use, and keep them away from young children and anyone who puts objects in their mouth.
Complete the form, then print the board and matching cut-out tokens for free. No account or purchase is required. You can leave the name blank. Use your browser's print dialog to print, or select Save as PDF if that option is available. Marketing emails are optional; declining them does not prevent printing.
Use Token Boards More Effectively
Pair your token board with the right reinforcers. Use our Reinforcement Assessment to find what motivates your child most.
Sorting out the bigger picture for your family? What ABA therapy costs, and how insurance covers it · Estimate your ABA cost by state · The 15 questions to ask an ABA provider
For parents: the methods behind the token board
Journey to Independence: ABA for Parents has 27 short video lessons for parents and caregivers: why behavior happens, how to teach a new skill step by step, and how to track progress at home. Try it free for 7 days. The token board maker stays free either way.
Start the free 7-day trialJust got a diagnosis? A free 4-week home plan: https://special-learning.com/autism/first-30-days-at-home/
How Token Boards Work
The Basics
A token board is a visual system where a child earns tokens (stars, stickers, checkmarks) for demonstrating a specific behavior. When all token slots are filled, the child earns a predetermined reward. Token boards are a widely used, well-researched reinforcement strategy in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Why Token Boards Are Effective
- Visual: The child can see their progress toward the reward
- Immediate: Tokens can be delivered instantly after the target behavior
- Bridge: They connect immediate reinforcement (token) with a larger delayed reward
- Flexible: The reward can be changed to maintain motivation
- Conditioned: tokens gain value when they are reliably exchanged for the reward. Use the same board in other settings only when it is exchanged there too.
Tips for Success
- Start with fewer tokens (3-5) and increase gradually
- Deliver tokens immediately after the target behavior
- Be specific about what earns a token: "You earned a star for raising your hand!"
- Let the child choose their reward from a menu of 2-3 options
- Pair token delivery with verbal praise
- If the child is not earning tokens, the criteria may be too high. Adjust.
- Laminate the printed board and use Velcro tokens for reuse. Cut-out tokens and Velcro pieces are small. Supervise their use, and keep them away from young children and anyone who puts objects in their mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Choose a token count and symbol, enter the target and reward text, then select Print Token Board. The printed sheet includes the board and matching cut-out tokens. Complete the form to open the maker. No account or purchase is required to create or print it. You can leave the name blank; marketing emails are optional.
Choose 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 tokens and one of eight built-in symbols. You can edit the name, target and reward text, and tap the board tokens for on-screen use. Matching cut-out tokens use the same count and symbol. This maker currently has no photo-upload or automatic Spanish-translation control; its printed headings are in English.
A visual reinforcement system where a child earns tokens for target behaviors. When all tokens are earned, the child receives a reward. Used in ABA therapy, classrooms, and at home.
Start with 3-5 for younger children or when first introducing the system. Increase gradually. Most boards use 5-10 tokens. If the child rarely fills the board, reduce tokens. If too easy, increase slightly.
Highly preferred items or activities: screen time, preferred toys, snacks, choosing an activity, social rewards. Use our Reinforcement Assessment to find what works best for your child. Rotate rewards to prevent satiation. If you use food, check allergies, the child's dietary plan, and your school's or center's food rules first.
Readiness depends on skills more than age. A child is ready when an earned token can be exchanged quickly for something they want, and they can wait briefly for it. Many young children start with a first-then board, or a board with 3 tokens and the reward given right away. The approach works for older children and adults too, with changes to the rewards and the number of tokens.