Guest Author - Meg Grooms

Math Games You Can Make 1 – BINGO GAMES

Bingo games are always fun and easy to make. Simple rules and an easy transition between gaming positions adds even more fun. Store your new games in a gallon zipper bag so you don’t lose any pieces!

Note that if you prefer not to make a spinner, you can create spinner pieces by writing what would go on the spinner onto a small piece of paper instead. Put all the pieces in a bag and shake.

General instructions for making a spinner:

-Cut a square approximately 4x4 from cardboard, poster board or cardstock. You can make the spinner larger to accommodate smaller hands if you wish.

-Draw a circle in the square and divide as necessary for the game you are making.

-Poke a hole large enough for a brad to fit through in the middle of the circle.

-Fashion an arrow from poster board, poking a hole through the straight end.

-Fasten the arrow to the cardboard using the brad (flat side on bottom and both ends reinforced with tape). Make sure you leave enough room for the arrow to spin freely.

General instructions for making a game board

-Using a file folder or any type of heavy paper, make a traditional bingo game board. Instead of using the usual letters and numbers, simply mark the spaces with whatever skill you are practicing. Remember, you want the same numbers of squares across and down, and a free space in the middle! Three squares in each direction is a good place to start with young students, five is standard, and older students may be able to handle many more.

-Use pennies, poker chips, checkers, cereal pieces, raisins (most anything goes) as marker pieces. Take care with the marker pieces if you have small children in the house!

Fraction Bingo
For a beginner game use the simple fractions such as1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 3/4, 5/8 and 1 on the spinner board. Draw corresponding pictures on the game board. Take turns spinning the spinner

Variations:

-Have children match reducible fractions from the spinner to the reduced version (ex: 2/4 matches 1/2)
-Have children match uneven fraction to whole number (ex: 5/4 matches 1 1/4)

Time Bingo
Draw analog clocks in each space on the spinner board. Draw the same clocks in varying positions on each game board.

Variations:

-Use a digital clock on the spinner and analog on the game board
-Write the time out on the spinner board (ex: a quarter to five, seven o’clock) on the spinner and draw clocks on the game board

Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division Bingo
Write the problem on the spinner board and answers on the game boards.

Variations:
-Write the answers on the spinner and the problems on the game board (ex: 9 on spinner, 3x3 on game board)
-Use negative numbers

Beginner Bingo
To introduce numbers to young children draw a ladybug on each portion of the spinner board, with a different number of spots on each bug (or petals on a flower, stripes on a worm, whatever your child fancies). Write the corresponding number on the game board. Help the child count the spots and locate the number on their game card.

Greater Than / Less Than
Write an array of varied numbers on the spinner card and do the same on the game board.
Take turns deciding to play “greater than” or “less than”. Each player has to find a number that fits the equation on their game board (ex: playing “greater than” you spin a 5, player put one marker on any number greater than 5)


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