Printable bingo cards
First day of school bingo
On the first morning half the class do not know each other's names and the other half have not spoken since July. This get-to-know-you bingo gives every child a reason to cross the room: each square is something true of a classmate, and it is completed by writing that classmate's name.
Find a classmate who...
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Running it on the first morning
- Model one exchange at the front before the class stands up: say hello, give your name, ask the question, write the name, say thank you. Children new to the school need to see that it is allowed to walk up to anyone.
- One name per classmate per card. That single rule stops best friends filling each other's grids and sends everyone looking for people they have not met.
- Name labels or desk name cards help with spelling. For classes that are not writing confidently, the classmate signs the square, or the child draws a tick and tells you the names afterwards.
- Join in with a card of your own. Pupils enjoy finding out that the teacher has a pet or went camping, and it lets you steer towards anyone standing alone.
- Skip prizes. Finish by sitting in a circle and asking each child to share one thing they learned about somebody. Keep the completed sheets: they tell you about interests and friendships in week one.
Find a classmate who prompts
Family, journeys to school, likes, skills and summer holidays. Each child's card carries 16 of these prompts on a full sheet, leaving space in every box for a name in a child's handwriting. Same month as you refers to birthdays.
- Has a brother
- Has a sister
- Has a pet
- Walks to school
- Rides the bus
- Comes by car
- Likes numbers
- Likes drawing
- Likes reading
- Plays a sport
- Can swim
- Can whistle
- Can hop on one foot
- Can tie shoelaces
- Is new this year
- Born in summer
- Born in winter
- Same month as you
- Likes pizza
- Likes apples
- Loves ice cream
- Has been camping
- Went to the beach
- Flew on a plane
- Read a summer book
- Visited family
- Learned a new skill
- Has a nickname
- Has a loose tooth
- Lost a tooth
- Knows two languages
- Plays music
- Likes dinosaurs
- Likes space
- Likes cats
- Likes dogs
- Loves to dance
- Loves to sing
- Likes to build
- Likes puzzles
- Has a new backpack
- Likes blue best
- Likes green best
- Eats school lunch
- Rode a horse
- Grew a plant
- Baked a cake
- Is the youngest
Questions
What grade is first day of school bingo for?
It fits roughly ages six to eleven as written. Use three by three and read the prompts together for the youngest. For middle school, rewrite the lines around hobbies, music and subjects so they do not feel babyish.
How long does the activity take?
Plan fifteen to twenty minutes: a few minutes to explain and model, about ten of mingling, and a short share at the end. It fits between the register and the first break.
Should every pupil have a different card?
It helps. When cards differ, children cannot copy a neighbour's answers and have to ask the questions themselves. The page deals as many different cards as you have pupils, up to sixty.
Are any prompts likely to make a child uncomfortable?
The list stays away from homes, money, family make-up beyond brothers and sisters, and holidays abroad as a requirement. You know your class best: read the list and delete any line that could single someone out.
More bingo cards
Human bingo icebreaker
Find someone who bakes bread, is a twin or has sung on stage. Names go in the squares.
Reading bingo challenge
Read outside, read a poem, read to a pet: a slow bingo for a holiday or a term.
Alphabet bingo cards
All 26 letters on small cards. Call the letter name, or call its sound.