Thanksgiving parade bingo

Thanksgiving parade bingo tips

• Balloon squares count only for plain animal shapes, such as a round bear, a long fish or a green frog, whether the animal floats overhead as a giant balloon or sits on a float. Agree before the first balloon how close a shape has to be, so nobody argues mid-parade.
• Santa Claus arrives on the final float, at the end of the broadcast, so tell kids up front that his square has to wait. It gives younger watchers a reason to stay put instead of wandering off after the balloons.
• Ask the youngest players to name each balloon animal out loud when it appears: a bear, a dog, a turtle. Naming the animal keeps them watching the screen and helps them find the matching picture on their card.
• Use commercial breaks to check cards. A grown-up can confirm what was marked, and kids who missed a marching band can catch the next one, since the parade features several.
• Make the prize part of the day: first pick of pie after dinner, or the job of announcing that the turkey is ready. Give the adults the 5x5 cards so the kids have a fair shot at winning first. Keep a few spare cards for cousins who arrive mid-parade.

Best for

Ages

4 to 10 years, with adults and grandparents able to play alongside

Group size

2 to 8 players watching together at home

Duration

The morning broadcast, which runs about three and a half hours