How to Play Christmas Bingo: Rules, 12 Game Ideas and 60 Words

By Cedar & Ledger

Christmas bingo works for a family party, a classroom, an office lunch or a senior center, and it takes about five minutes to set up. Here are simple rules, 12 ways to play beyond a straight line, prize ideas under $1 each and a list of 60 holiday words for making your own cards.

What you need

• One bingo card per player (5x5 grid with a FREE center square)
• Caller cards or a word list, cut up and put in a bowl or hat
• Markers: candy, cereal, buttons, mini marshmallows or a crayon
• A few small prizes

Basic rules

1. Everyone gets a different card and marks the FREE square.
2. The caller draws a word and reads it out loud, then sets it aside.
3. Players who have that word mark it.
4. The first player with 5 in a row (across, down or diagonal) shouts "BINGO!"
5. The caller checks the marked words against the called pile. If they match, that player wins the round.

Tip: keep a called-words checklist so checking a win takes seconds, not minutes.

12 Christmas bingo game ideas

1. Straight line: the classic 5 in a row.
2. Four corners: mark all 4 corner squares.
3. Christmas tree: mark a tree shape (center column plus a wide bottom row).
4. Letter X: both diagonals.
5. Picture frame: every square around the edge.
6. Blackout: the whole card. Save it for the last round, since it takes longest.
7. Postage stamp: a 2x2 block in any corner.
8. Candy cane: the first column plus the whole top row (an upside-down L, like a cane hook).
9. Ugly sweater round: players wearing a holiday sweater get one free extra square.
10. Reverse bingo: everyone stands; sit down when you have a called word. The last one standing wins.
11. Gift exchange bingo: each winner picks a wrapped gift or steals one from the pile.
12. Speed round: the caller reads a word every 5 seconds.

Prize ideas under $1

Candy canes, hot cocoa packets, stickers, pencils, mini ornaments, a "first pick of cookies" pass, or "skip one chore" coupons for kids.

60 Christmas bingo words

Santa, sleigh, reindeer, elf, snowman, snowflake, mitten, scarf, hot cocoa, candy cane, gingerbread, cookie, milk, stocking, chimney, fireplace, ornament, tree, star, angel, bell, wreath, holly, mistletoe, candle, lights, present, bow, ribbon, wrapping paper, carol, sled, ice skates, snowball, igloo, penguin, polar bear, north pole, workshop, toy, train, drum, nutcracker, snow globe, pinecone, poinsettia, eggnog, pajamas, sweater, gift tag, card, letter, list, nice, jingle, sparkle, cocoa mug, cozy blanket, winter, December.

Make it work for different groups

• Preschool: use picture cards or 3x3 grids and call slowly.
• Classroom (readers about 6+): big-print words, and let a student be the caller.
• Office party: add a prize table and play blackout for the big prize.
• Seniors: large print, a slower pace and a clear checklist for the caller.

More ideas: Christmas party games for kids and classroom holiday party ideas.

Want it ready to print? The Christmas Word Bingo Printable has 30 different 5x5 cards (no two alike), 48 big-print holiday words, cut-apart caller cards, a called-words checklist and a blank card. $4, instant download.

Made with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing.

Related template: the christmas bingo printable template. Also see: the holiday games template · Christmas Party Games Mega Pack

See all Cedar & Ledger templates

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