Human Bingo is a fun and effective icebreaker activity that fosters connection and learning. Whether you’re an administrator, instructional coach, or a teacher, this simple game can transform your next professional development session or classroom activity. Let’s explore how this simple game can be a valuable tool for building a positive and interactive environment.
What is Human Bingo?
Human Bingo is a game where each participant has a bingo card filled with various statements or characteristics. The objective is to find individuals who match these statements and have them sign the corresponding squares. The first person to complete a row, column, or diagonal yells “Bingo!” and wins the game. This activity can be tailored to suit any age group or subject matter, making it a great fit for diverse classroom settings.
Benefits for Educators and Students
Click on image to get the template.
Human Bingo has many benefits for both educators and students alike. Human bingo:
- Breaks the ice: It’s a perfect way to break the ice at the beginning of the school year. It helps teachers and students get to know each other in a fun and relaxed manner.
- Builds rapport: Human Bingo encourages participants to interact with people they might not typically approach. This will help foster new connections among staff or students.
- Increases engagement: The game’s active nature gets everyone moving and talking. It energizes the room, which will help set a positive tone for further activities.
- Reveals hidden talents: Carefully crafted prompts can uncover unexpected skills or experiences within your team or class. It also helps identify common interests.
- Is adaptable for all ages: With appropriate prompts, this game works well for both adult professionals and students of various grade levels.
How to Play Human Bingo
Below are instructions on how to play human bingo.
- Create Bingo Cards. Develop bingo cards with statements that are relevant to your staff or students. For example, statements like “Has traveled to another country,” “Plays a musical instrument,” or “Loves science fiction movies.” If you are looking for a Bingo template, check out Canva, Bingo Card Generator, or Flippity.
- Distribute Cards: Give each staff or student a bingo card.
- Explain the Rules: Instruct your staff or students to circulate around the room and find peers who match the statements on their cards. Each matching person should sign the corresponding square.
- Set a Time Limit: Allow a set amount of time for the activity, typically 15 minutes.
- Announce the Winner: The first person to get a complete row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and is declared the winner. You might want to consider giving small prizes to add an element of excitement.
Tips for Creating an Effective Human Bingo Game
To create an effective human bingo game, tailor the statements to your audience and goals. For example, for a teacher workshop, include items like “Has taught in another state” or “Uses project-based learning in their classroom.” If using it in the classroom with your students, tailor the statements to your students. This will ensure that the activity is both engaging and relevant.
You could also adapt the game to review content. For example, use statements related to historical events, vocabulary words, or scientific concepts. In addition, you could use the game to introduce your lesson’s objectives. This way, you can seamlessly transition into your main content after the game is over.
Be sure to encourage interaction. Remind staff and students to introduce themselves and share a little about their interests. This will help them make meaningful connections. Furthermore, you could allow time to debrief after the game to discuss interesting discoveries and how they might inform future collaboration.
Human Bingo is more than just a game – it’s a powerful tool for breaking the ice, fostering connections, and setting the stage for collaborative learning. By incorporating this activity into your professional development sessions or classroom routines, you’ll create an atmosphere of curiosity and openness that can enhance the overall learning experience. So why not give Human Bingo a try at your next gathering? You might be surprised at the connections and insights that emerge from this simple yet effective icebreaker.
