This bingo adaptation is well suited for a group of pre-schoolers or for the family with a young child or children.
Prizes (fruit pieces, sweet treats, popcorn, or whatever you feel is appropriate)
Bingo cards can be made out of cardboard which can be cut to size from discarded cereal boxes. On each bingo card draw a 4 square grid with a ruler and crayons, and color each square a different color. Each bingo card should have a different combination of colors.
Once that's done, cut out and color an equal number of calling squares to match all the colors used on the all bingo cards. For example if you have 10 different colors, cut 3 squares for each color for a total of 30 squares. These can be any size you feel is safe for the age of the players.
To play the game, put all the colored squares into a paper bag, or bowl, and mix them up. Designate one person or child to be the caller. The caller reaches into the bag or bowl and picks out one colored square and calls out the color. If the players have that color on their bingo card, they place a token on that square. The first player to have a token on all 4 of their colored squares yells out "BINGO".
Other variations to consider could be to use animal pictures, geometric shapes, or numbers instead of colors.
Now every winner expects a prize, so try to play enough games for each player to win at least once. Consider bonus privileges as an alternative prize to toys or candy, such as extra time on the computer or reading time at bedtime. It's also a good time to explain about being a good sport and that it's the fun of the game and playing together that's important, not just the winning. Therefore, give random rewards to players that show good sportsmanship.
