The bingo cards can be customized according to the situation. They are used as learning tools, activities for groups and even to raise funds for charities. The possibilities are endless once you understand how to make the cards. Fortunately, this is a fun and simple process, whether you decide to create them on the computer or by hand.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Bingo Card Generator
Step 1. Look for a bingo card generator
Some of the best known sites are OSRIC, Print-Bingo and Bingobaker. Use the one that best suits your needs. Some require registration to use the tools, others require a fee. However, you will also find many that allow you to create cards without having to provide any personal information.
Step 2. Decide what kind of information to enter in each box
There are specific generators that allow you to create cards with images, while others only accept words that you can enter with the keyboard.
Step 3. Type the folder name and the words you will use
The first box that will appear in the generator will usually be "Card Title" or something similar. Click on the text field and enter the name you want to give to the card. Some examples are "Paolo's bingo card" or "Civil Protection volunteers bingo tournament".
- Once you have entered the name, you will find a box with a title similar to "List of words". Click on that field and write the list of words / numbers / symbols, with each entry separated by a comma. The generator will distribute them randomly in the various boxes.
- For example: "Bat, bird, turtle, deer, hippo, dog, cat, bear, lion, etc." You can do the same with numbers (3, 5, 17, 24, 56, 78) and symbols ($, &, *,%, @).
- If you prefer you can also create a combination of words, numbers and symbols. For example: "bat, turtle, 67,%, &, 76, 48, #, hippo, tiger".
Step 4. Decide whether to allocate free space
On many bingo cards there is usually a "free space" in which players can place a marker even before the game starts. The generator will ask you if you want to enter this space. Click "Yes" or "No".
- The generator will then ask you to fill in the free space text. You can choose a simple phrase like "Free space" or something more complex. You can enter any combination of letters, symbols and numbers found on the keyboard.
- You will also need to decide where to place the free space. You will usually find two options, "Center" or "Random". In most cases, free spaces are found in the center of the tabs.
Step 5. Decide the size of the folder
Bingo cards are usually 5 by 5 squares. However, you can increase or decrease these values based on the amount of words you have entered, the type of game you want to play, and so on. If you wish, you can make rectangular cards instead of following the classic square style.
- The generator will ask you for the number of folder length boxes. Click on the field and enter a number.
- The generator will also ask you for the number of height boxes on the board. Click on the field and enter a number.
- Multiply those numbers together. You should expect an even number of words (assuming you didn't decide to add free space) to the product of the height and length values. If not, you will need to change the size of the card or add / subtract words to the list.
Step 6. Print your bingo cards
The generator will ask you to type in the number of folders you want to print. Just click that field and enter a number. At that point, click on "Generate bingo cards". The generator will begin communicating with the printer and the print options window will open. Make sure you change the page orientation to landscape format.
- Since bingo cards wear out after so many games, it is better to print them on card stock than regular printer paper.
- You can also consider having the boards laminated. Many shipping companies offer paid lamination services, or you can go to a local print shop.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Computer Program
Step 1. Choose a computer program
You need to find one that allows you to create "Tables" that you can fill with any information you like. Some well-known software suitable for this purpose are Microsoft Word (and derivatives), Print Shop and Google Docs. The first two are usually only found on traditional PCs, so if you have a Mac, you should try Google Docs or another online word processor.
Step 2. Create a new blank document
You should find the "Create", "New Document" or similar button. If not, open the "File" menu. In that menu you will see an entry that allows you to create a new document. At this point you need to add a table to the new blank page. First click "Insert", then "Table" from the drop-down menu. An empty standard table should appear in the document.
Step 3. Customize the table
Based on the size of the bingo card you will decide how many boxes the table should have. Once the latter has appeared, you should notice a window on the screen. Enter the number of columns in length and rows in height. At this point you can drag the sides of the table to make it larger and have more space to write in.
Step 4. Enter the desired information in the boxes
Click on one space at a time and enter one of the items you have chosen. You can use words, letters, symbols or clip art. You can also include a "Free Space" in the card, which you can place wherever you like (usually placed in the center) and with the title you want.
Step 5. Print the folder
Click on "File", then "Print" from the menu that appears. Change printer settings in landscape orientation of paper. You should use cardstock instead of regular printer paper. Make sure you print the card only once, as you will have to change the order of the words in the others.
Step 6. Change the order of the entries
Go back to the original table and change the entries. Click one, then click "Cut" or "Copy". Transfer it to another box, then compare this new tab with the original one to make sure all entries are in different boxes.
Step 7. Print a new folder after each change
Keep changing the order of entries and printing cards until you have one for each player. You can decide to create some extra cards to replace the ones you will lose, or to not find yourself without if more players than expected participate. Learn how to laminate cards, using local shipping services or printers. Thanks to this solution they will be much more resistant.
Method 3 of 3: Create Bingo Cards by Hand
Step 1. Draw a large square on a sheet of construction paper
Use a ruler to draw straight lines. It is best to decide first the number of columns and rows you will need to draw, so that the division is not too difficult later on. For example, it is best to draw a 20cm top line if your folder has five columns. In this way it will be very easy to divide and create five columns of 4 cm. If the top line were 19 cm, the operation would be much more complex.
In traditional bingo cards, the top and bottom lines are the same length. However, this is only true if you have designed a classic bingo card
Step 2. Divide the large square
Draw a small pencil mark at the points on the lines where each column will begin. Connect the matching marks at the top and bottom with a straight pencil line (use a ruler to help you). Repeat the same process on the side lines, so as to draw the lines.
Step 3. Fill in the boxes
You can enter an entry in each box, such as "dog", "cat", etc. If you prefer, you can use numbers (56, 76, 87, etc.) or images.
- Example: If you are creating a bingo card for your Spanish course, you can enter Spanish words in the boxes. At that point you will be able to call a word in Italian and students will have to mark the corresponding Spanish translation on their card.
- Decorate the cards as you like. Give each a title, draw pictures around the square and use all your creativity.
Step 4. Repeat the previous steps
You will need to get a number of different cards equal to that of the players. The words will have to be ordered differently, so that no player has a similar card to another. If you only use the square on each card, you can cut it out with scissors. If you have also decorated the outside of the square, leave the cards as they are.
Advice
- Folders will last longer if you print them on card stock and laminate them with a plastic coating.
- You can create cards of the size you prefer; you don't have to follow the traditional 5 x 5 pattern.
