Book Bingo--A Unique Bookish Game for One or More People!
- Booknerdian
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
I watched a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2024 called A Novel Noel. The movie is about two people who fall in love while working in a bookstore--a plot that book nerds can't resist!
The heroine and her best friend played Christmas bingo each year, which involved each of the two players competing against each other to see who could cross off all the silly, Christmas-themed challenges from her bingo card first.
A light bulb materialized above my head as I considered how this idea could be altered to fit a bookish framework. I smirked with satisfaction over my creative genius, only to discover that this isn't a "novel" idea after all--it's been done before. A lot.
Undeterred, I decided no one had yet customized the game to suit MY preferences, so I created a new version based on my idea of "fun." I hope you will like it, too!
How to Play Book Bingo
Some book bingo games follow the traditional version of bingo where players win by achieving five spaces in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The problem with this method is that the fun is over too soon!
The joy of the game is completing EVERY square. Otherwise, your bookish fun and whimsy is short-lived.
You can play book bingo one of two ways: by yourself or with others.
To play solo, print a copy of the bingo card and treat each task as a challenge. You can tackle them in any order. Set a time limit to accomplish all the squares--one year or less is ideal. Choose a reward (more details on that further down) and then share your achievement on your social media platforms. Encourage others in your reading community to join the fun by posting the link to this blog so they can print a bingo card and get started.
To make book bingo a competition, find fellow book enthusiasts who enjoy good-natured literary fun. Maybe a co-worker, your BFF, members of your book club, your family, or online book group friends would enjoy a round. Game play is the same as the solo version: complete the tasks in any order, set a time limit, and select a reward for the winner who finishes first.
If you're a teacher, book bingo is a fun game to play in your classroom, provided you have controls in place to ensure students remain accountable and honest. The key is introducing the game at the beginning of the school year so students have plenty of time to complete the goals. Some tasks may need modification, however. For example, students are typically too young to join a social media book group, but maybe school admins would consider starting an after-school book club instead. Since they are under age 18, they likely couldn't enter a book giveaway, but you could conduct your own classroom or school-wide book giveaway as an alternative. Rather than post an online book review, they could share their review orally in front of the class. Reading outside or coming to school in PJs to read are fun ways to make reading fun and engaging for your students, and these challenges can be easily adapted to fit your classroom.
Book Bingo Prize Ideas
Winning the book bingo game is already intrinsically rewarding, but dangling a reward at the finish line is the extra motivation players will appreciate.
Here are some ideas for possible rewards:
A new physical book or e-book
A gift card to a bookstore
A reading journal
A gift card to a coffee shop
A book-themed shirt, mug, socks, blanket, puzzle, pocket calendar, etc.
Light-up DIY book nook kit
Post-its, pens, highlighters, bookmarks, or reading lights
If you are playing book bingo with a group, everyone can contribute money to a pool for a larger prize, such as:
A book tote bag filled with several bookish items, like the ones listed above
A Kindle e-reader or a Kindle Scribe (if you have deep pockets!)
A swag bag containing a printed annual reading challenge checklist along with all the books that would accomplish the list
For more book products that serve as terrific prizes, visit our Booknerdia Gift Shop.
Join Our Community of Book Lovers!
If you enjoy engaging with others over books in a cozy setting, follow our Facebook page:
If you plan to use this book bingo game as a group activity, be sure to share how you're doing it in the comments! Happy playing AND reading!
Comments