Halloween classroom bingo

Halloween classroom bingo tips

• Before the party, show each picture to the class and name it together. Point to the smiling pumpkin, the friendly ghost, and the bat, and ask children to make a matching sound or gesture, like a ghost's boo or flapping bat wings. Children who have already named a picture find it faster during the game, which keeps the room calm.
• Call each picture slowly and add its color, such as orange candy corn or a black cat, then pause before the next one. Pre-K players often need a few seconds to find a square, and the pause lets every child mark it without rushing.
• Check allergies and school food rules before using candy corn or cereal as markers. Pumpkin-shaped paper punches, orange counters or squares of yellow construction paper work just as well, and a small bowl of markers on each table saves trips across the room.
• Turn the costume parade square into a movement break. When that picture is called, children can stand, walk in a slow circle, and show a pretend costume pose. This gives wiggly students a chance to move safely, and it helps second graders practice listening for the next call while they stay in the game.
• Instead of one winner, ask the first child with a line to name each picture in it aloud while the class checks along. Then let that child call the next picture, so many kids get a turn to lead before the party ends.

Best for

Ages

Pre-K to 2nd grade (roughly 4 to 8 years old)

Group size

Whole class of 15 to 30 students, playing individually or in pairs

Duration

15 to 25 minutes, including a short picture review