How to host Halloween bingo
Halloween bingo is a classroom favorite because it works in the half hour after the costume parade, when nobody can focus on a lesson. It also suits trunk-or-treat events and costume parties at home.
- Keep it bright for little ones. Play with the lights on and read the words in a silly voice rather than a scary one. Children who get nervous can hold a buddy’s card.
- Let costumes join in. Before a round, ask players to stand up if their costume matches the called word, such as “Witch hat” or “Superhero cape”. It gets everyone moving.
- Use a pumpkin bucket. Cut the call sheet into slips and pull them out of a plastic pumpkin. Kids love taking a turn as the caller.
- Plan four short rounds. One line, an X, four corners and a full card take about 25 minutes in total for a class of 25.
At an adult party, run the game in the background. Put a card at each seat, call a word every few minutes and give the winner the last full-size candy bar.
Ways to play it
- Spot-it walk. Take cards on a neighborhood walk and mark decorations you see, like a porch light or a spooky tree.
- Picture cards for preschool. Use picture bingo for children who are not reading yet.
- Trunk-or-treat stations. Give each car one word from the list; families mark it when they visit that car.
- Move into fall. After Halloween, switch to the Thanksgiving bingo list for November.