60 Tambola Prize Ideas (No Money Needed)

By the TambolaCaller.com team · Last updated: October 9, 2026

Running out of prize ideas for your next Tambola night? Here are 60 small, fun gifts and free privileges for families, kids, kitty parties and office events.

The best Tambola prizes are small, a little silly and easy to hand over the moment someone shouts "Full House!" Here are 60 tried-and-tested ideas, grouped by who's playing, plus tips for matching prizes to patterns and budgets. Every idea works without cash — Tambola at home is most fun when it stays just a game.

1Match the prize to the pattern

Not every prize should be the same size. A quick rule of thumb: the harder the pattern, the better the prize.

Not sure what the patterns are? See all 16 winning patterns with diagrams.

2Prizes for family nights and festivals

• A small box of kaju katli, soan papdi or besan ladoo
• A pack of dry fruits or roasted makhana
• Decorative diyas or a set of tea-light candles
• A pretty torans or a small rangoli stencil kit
• A scented candle or incense gift set
• A coffee mug filled with toffees
• A small photo frame (bonus points if it holds a family picture taken that night)
• A deck of playing cards for the next game night
• A potted plant — money plant, tulsi or a small succulent
• Homemade chocolates or cookies wrapped in festive paper

3Prizes kids love

• Colouring books and a pack of crayons
• A sheet of stickers or temporary tattoos
• Bubble wands, balloons or a mini puzzle
• A chocolate bar or a small packet of gems
• Fancy pencils, erasers or a scented pen
• A slime or clay kit
• A small toy car or a bouncy ball
• "Stay up 15 minutes late tonight" coupon
• "You choose tomorrow's breakfast" coupon
• A paper crown that says "Tambola Champion"

4Kitty party and ladies' group prizes

• A pair of bangles or a small jewellery box
• A hand cream, lip balm or face-mask set
• A potli bag or a printed pouch
• A small bottle of perfume or attar
• A pack of herbal tea or a gourmet coffee sachet set
• A cushion cover or a table runner
• A cookbook or a pretty recipe notebook
• A dupatta pin set or hair accessories
• A planter with a small indoor plant
• "Host chooses your seat at the next kitty" privilege

Planning a full kitty party around Tambola? See our kitty party Tambola guide for themes and round ideas.

5Office and team event prizes

• A desk plant or a mini succulent
• A branded or quirky coffee mug
• A notebook and gel pen set
• A phone stand or cable organiser
• A box of cookies to share with the team
• "Skip one meeting" pass (manager-approved!)
• "Pick the music for the day" privilege
• A small trophy or certificate — "Housie Hero 2026"
• First choice of lunch order at the next team lunch
• A gift card from the company's snack budget

6Free prizes that cost nothing

Some of the most fought-over prizes cost nothing at all:

• "Skips the dishes tonight"
• "Picks the next movie or TV show"
• "Gets the first gulab jamun" or "the last slice of cake"
• "Sits in the best sofa seat for the rest of the evening"
• "Decides the next game we play"
• "Excused from making tea for a day"
• "Gets to call the next game" (hand them the phone running the caller!)
• "Chooses the next song" on the speaker
• A handwritten "Full House Champion" certificate
• Bragging rights until the next family get-together

7Silly prizes that get the biggest laughs

• A single potato wrapped like a diamond ring
• A giant novelty pencil
• A "World's Okayest Tambola Player" badge
• A pack of instant noodles presented on a silver plate
• One sock (the other one goes to the Second Full House winner)
• A crown made from a paper plate
• A "bogey" prize for the funniest wrong claim of the night
• A balloon with the winner's name drawn on it
• A lemon "for being so sour about losing" — for the person who came closest
• A cardboard trophy decorated by the kids

8Prize table tips

• Buy prizes in a set. One shop, one bag, matching wrapping — the prize table looks great in photos.
• Wrap the Full House prize. A mystery prize builds excitement all evening.
• Keep 2–3 spares. Ties happen. Spare prizes save you from splitting one box of mithai in half.
• Label each prize with its pattern. Stick a note — "Top Line", "Corners" — so nobody asks which prize they get.
• Use the Prize Board. The TambolaCaller caller has a prize board where you can record each winner's name as the game goes.

9Frequently asked questions

What is a good prize for Full House in Tambola?

Something a little bigger than the line prizes: a wrapped mystery gift, a large mithai box, a candle set or a small trophy. For family games, a privilege like 'picks the next movie' is just as popular.

How many prizes do I need for a Tambola game?

One per pattern you play, plus 2–3 spares for ties. A classic game with Early Five, three Lines and Full House needs 5 prizes plus spares.

Do Tambola prizes have to be money?

No. TambolaCaller.com is built for social play. Small gifts, sweets and fun privileges make the game more fun than cash and keep it a friendly party game.