How to play winter bingo
Winter bingo is regular bingo with winter words in place of numbers. Every player gets a different 5x5 card with a FREE square in the middle. The caller reads one winter word at a time, and players mark it if it's on their card. The first player with five marked squares in a row, across, down or diagonally, calls "Bingo!" and wins the round.
- 1Hand out the cards and something to mark squares with.
- 2Everyone marks the FREE square in the center.
- 3The caller draws a word, reads it out loud and sets it aside.
- 4Anyone who has that word on their card marks it.
- 5The first player with five in a row calls "Bingo!" and reads the row back.
- 6The caller checks those words against the ones already called. If they all match, that player wins the round.
Rounds are short, so you can play one between lessons or several in a row on a snow day. Clear the cards, put the slips back in the bowl and go again.
What's on the cards
The cards use 60 winter words. There is snow (Snowflake, Snow Fort, Snowplow, Blizzard), winter gear (Mittens, Earmuffs, Snow Boots, Puffy Coat), cozy things (Hot Cocoa, Fireplace, Jigsaw Puzzle, Chicken Soup) and winter animals (Polar Bear, Snowy Owl, Arctic Fox, Cardinal).
There are no Christmas or New Year's words on the list. You can play the week you come back from winter break, on a snow day in February or any time it's cold out. Each card picks 24 of the 60 words and mixes them in a random order, so no two cards in your set match.
Add your own title, such as "Room 14 Winter Bingo" or "Snow Day Bingo", and it prints on every card. Choose 1 big card per page or 2 smaller cards per page. Both fit US Letter paper.
Call it from paper or from one phone
Pick whichever way is easier for your room.
Caller slips
Check "Add caller slips" and every word prints as a slip. Cut them apart, drop them in a bowl or a winter hat and draw one at a time.
Call on this phone
Tap Next and the phone shows a random word to read out. It keeps the list of words already called, so checking a "Bingo!" is quick.
Want a game with no paper at all? Our games run in the browser on one phone, with no app and no sign-up. In a classroom, read Would You Rather questions for kids out loud, or play charades as a brain break. For a quick daily warm-up, try the Question of the Day.
Tips for printing and playing
- Print on cardstock so the cards last through a week of indoor recess.
- Laminate the cards, or slide them into sheet protectors, and use dry-erase markers. Wipe them clean and play again tomorrow.
- Use mini marshmallows, cotton balls or white buttons as markers. They look like snow on the card.
- Choose 1 card per page for big squares that are easy to read, or 2 per page to save paper and ink.
- Keep a folder of printed cards ready for the next indoor recess or snow day.
- To print later at school or a print shop, choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog.
Winter bingo variations
Change what counts as a win to keep later rounds fresh.
Four corners
Mark the four corner squares to win. It's fast, so it fits a short brain break.
Blackout
Mark every square on the card. Save it for a snow day afternoon or the last round of the night.
Snowflake
Mark both diagonals plus the middle row and the middle column, like the arms of a snowflake. The FREE square counts for all four lines.
Act it out
The caller acts out each word, like Sledding or Snowball, instead of reading it. Players guess the word before they mark it.
Word work
Before marking a square, a player spells the word or uses it in a sentence. It turns a round into vocabulary practice.
Team cards
Pairs share one card. It gets a quiet group talking and helps players who are still learning to read.
Who winter bingo is for
Winter bingo works for any group that needs something easy to do indoors. Teachers use it for brain breaks, indoor recess and the first week back after winter break, with up to 60 different cards for a whole class. Families can play it on a snow day or a family night in, with cocoa and a blanket. It also fits a library story hour, a senior center activity or a January office lunch, since players only need to listen and mark a square.
For more ideas, see our classroom games and our family game night guide. Looking ahead to February? Print Valentine's Day bingo cards for the class party.
Questions
Are these winter bingo cards free?
Yes. You can make and print up to 60 cards at a time for free. There is no sign-up and nothing to download, except a PDF if you choose to save one.
Is every card different?
Yes. Each card picks 24 of the 60 words and mixes them in a random order, with a FREE square in the center. No two cards in your set are the same.
Are there holiday words on the cards?
No. The list sticks to snow, cold weather, winter clothes, warm food and winter animals. You can play it in January or February without it feeling out of season.
Do the cards work for a classroom?
Yes. The words are short and easy to read, such as Snowman, Icicle and Polar Bear. You can print up to 60 different cards at a time, enough for a full class or a whole grade.
How do I call the game?
Check "Add caller slips" to print every word as a slip to cut apart and draw from a bowl. Or use Call on this phone: tap Next for a random word, and the phone keeps the list of words already called.
Can I print 2 cards on one page?
Yes. Choose 2 per page to save paper, or 1 per page for bigger squares. Both fit US Letter paper.
How do I save the cards as a PDF?
Press Print, then choose "Save as PDF" as the destination in the print dialog. This works from a phone or a computer.