Game · Listening
Saying bingo
The caller reads or plays a saying; players find its meaning on their board and cover it.
- 20 minutes
- Small group, Whole class
- Ages 7–9, Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: bingo cards
What to do
- Give each player or pair a board. Read the meanings on the board together first.
- The caller picks a saying from the list below, then reads it aloud or plays its audio from the saying page.
- For the first few calls, the caller reads the meaning too, until players get the idea.
- Players cover the matching meaning if it is on their board.
- The first to cover a full row calls out. Check their squares against the list.
Questions to talk about
- Which sayings were easiest to recognise when you heard them?
- Which meaning surprised you?
You will need
- The printed bingo boards, cut apart
- Counters, buttons or a pencil to mark squares
- A device to play the audio on each saying page (optional)
Make it fit
Simpler: The caller always reads the meaning as well as the saying.
More of a stretch: After the first round, the caller reads only the saying, never the meaning.
Sayings used
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The bingo cards
Saying bingo
When you hear a saying, find its meaning and cover the square.
Four different boards. Cut them apart and give one to each player or pair.
The instructions card
How to run it · Game · Listening
Saying bingo
The caller reads or plays a saying; players find its meaning on their board and cover it.
20 minutesSmall group, Whole classAges 7–9, Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Give each player or pair a board. Read the meanings on the board together first.
- The caller picks a saying from the list below, then reads it aloud or plays its audio from the saying page.
- For the first few calls, the caller reads the meaning too, until players get the idea.
- Players cover the matching meaning if it is on their board.
- The first to cover a full row calls out. Check their squares against the list.
You will need
- The printed bingo boards, cut apart
- Counters, buttons or a pencil to mark squares
- A device to play the audio on each saying page (optional)
Talk about
- Which sayings were easiest to recognise when you heard them?
- Which meaning surprised you?
Make it fit
Simpler: The caller always reads the meaning as well as the saying.
Stretch: After the first round, the caller reads only the saying, never the meaning.
Goes with the printable bingo cards.