Christmas Bingo: How to Play and Make Cards

Christmas bingo is a calm and cheerful game where players mark holiday words or pictures on a card as they are called out. It is great for kids, grandparents and large groups.

How to Set Up

1. Make a grid of 25 squares for each player, five across and five down. For young kids use nine squares.
2. Fill squares with holiday words or pictures, such as tree, star, sleigh, snow, elf, bell or cookie. Mix the order on every card.
3. Write the same words on slips of paper and put them in a bowl.
4. Give each player a card and a handful of markers.
5. Choose a caller.

How to Play

1. The caller pulls a slip from the bowl and reads the word out loud.
2. Players who have that word on their card cover it with a marker.
3. The caller sets the slip aside so they know what has been called.
4. Keep going until someone has a full row, column or diagonal line.
5. That player shouts “Bingo!”
6. The caller reads back the covered words to check the win.
7. Clear the cards and play another round.

Scoring and Winning

The first player with a valid line wins the round. Play several rounds and give a small prize each time. For a longer game, try “blackout”, where players must cover the whole card.

Tips for a Fun Game

• Use pictures for kids who cannot read yet.
• Put a free space in the middle for fun.
• Read the words slowly for older guests.
• Use candy as markers. Players can eat them after.
• Let kids take a turn as the caller.

Variations

• Four Corners: Win by covering all four corner squares.
• Song Bingo: Fill cards with carol names. Play a short part of each song instead of saying the name.
• Little Kids Version: Use a small grid with big pictures and call each one twice.