Number bingo for any range

Using number bingo in class

Choose a range, a card size and how many cards you need, then press Make cards. Each card holds a different selection of the numbers in a random layout, so no two children share a card. The caller sheet lists every number in the range once, in a shuffled order with a tick box, and comes after the cards in the PDF. The set number printed under each card makes exactly the same cards again from this page, so you can reprint a lost card or the caller sheet next week.

The counter under the range tells you how many numbers you have and how many the card needs: 8 for 3x3 with a free space, 9 without, 16 for 4x4, 24 for 5x5 with a free space and 25 without. If the range is too small it says so and suggests a smaller card. A range can hold up to 500 numbers.

Number recognition (ages about 4 to 6)

For children who are still learning to read numerals, start with 1 to 10 on a 3x3 card with a free space, or 1 to 20 on 4x4. Say the number, then hold up or write it on the board as well, so the game practises matching the spoken word to the written numeral rather than just listening. With 1 to 20 on 4x4, each card has 16 of the 20 numbers, so four calls in five hit every card and nobody waits long. In 1,000 simulated games with 25 cards, someone had a full line by about the 6th call, and the first full card came at about the 18th of the 20 numbers: a whole game takes five to ten minutes.

Teen numbers are where mistakes happen: 13 and 31, 14 and 41, 17 and 71 sound and look alike to young children. A range of 10 to 49 on 5x5 puts 13 and 31, 14 and 41, and every other such pair up to 49 into the same game, so children have to look at the order of the digits; it makes a good revision game once 1 to 20 is secure.

Skip counting by 2, 5 and 10

Count by changes which numbers go on the cards. From 2 to 40 counting by 2 gives the 20 even numbers; 5 to 100 counting by 5 gives 20 multiples of five; 10 to 200 counting by 10 gives 20 tens. Start From on the first number you want: from 1 counting by 2 gives the odd numbers 1, 3, 5 and so on, and if the steps do not land exactly on To the counter tells you the last number that fits. A useful way to play is to call a number and ask the class what comes next in the count before anyone covers it: the card practises recognition, the question practises the sequence.

Bigger numbers and longer games

For place value with older children, use 1 to 100 on 5x5 and call each number in words and as tens and ones (“four tens and seven”). That is a long game: with 25 cards the first line came at about the 28th call and a full card only at about the 88th of the 100 numbers, so play for one line or four corners. A middle ground is 1 to 50, where the first line came around the 15th call.

Calling on screen

Press Call this game on screen after making the cards to open the caller with the same numbers and set number already loaded. It calls in exactly the order of the printed caller sheet, so you can use either, and when a child calls bingo you can type their card number to check the line. Everything is made in your browser and nothing is uploaded. For classic 75-ball cards with B-I-N-G-O columns, use the 1-75 number bingo page.