I’m so excited about this Gameschool Bingo Challenge, you guys! And I’m not the only one. Just look at these faces:
If you’ve been following our journey for any length of time, you are likely familiar with our Gameschool Challenges. We love a good Gameschool Challenge any time of the year, but especially during the winter months when we can snuggle up by the fire and make some memories.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- I truly, wholeheartedly, believe that homeschooling can be almost all fun and games. Adding more play to your homeschool day can completely change the learning atmosphere! It is my hope that this Gameschool Bingo Challenge will add more delight-driven learning to your homeschool routine.
How to Use this Gameschool Bingo Challenge to Skyrocket Your Play
How did these gameschool challenges start?
Years ago, before I called ourselves gameschoolers, I used board games to survive a long and painful winter. (That post is so old, you guys!)
Little did I know I had started our first-ever gameschool challenge.
Our homeschool routine is based upon carefully selected, high-quality educational games and fantastic read-alouds.
Some days, I cannot believe I get to play games and read books all day! (Some kids never grow up!)
Playing games has a host of educational benefits for your homeschool, plus you build relationships and make memories. I am constantly amazed by the amount of learning that happens when I sit down to play educational board games with my children.
I am so excited to share this Gameschool Bingo Challenge with you today!
The benefits of more play in your homeschool
Play is essential for childhood development, but did you know that it is important for us, too? Don’t believe me? I’ve got oodles of resources, from TED Talks to books to articles and more, listed for you here:
Why a Bingo Gameschool Challenge?
I decided to switch things up this year. You’ll still find more traditional Gameschool Challenges from me in the coming year, but I thought this Gameshool Bingo Challenge would be a nice change of pace.
I also think it gives the children in your world more ownership of their play. And that can help with cooperation, connection, and learning!
Gameschool Bingo Challenge set-up
The process is a simple one! Here’s what to do:
- Sign up here.
- Print your Gameschool Bingo Challenge cards.
- I laminated our set for durability and so that we can reuse it again and again with dry-erase markers. This isn’t required, but just a tip!
How to play Gameschool Bingo Challenge
What I love about this challenge is that it’s flexible. Monthly Instagram and Facebook photo challenges can be overwhelming to many. You can make this challenge work for your unique family.
The object of the Gameschool Bingo Challenge is to complete a row or column. Fill in five squares and you’ve won! Unlike traditional Bingo, squares aren’t called out at random. Instead, you get to choose the prompt that works for you that day!
Once you’ve completed a game that fits a square’s prompt, fill in that square with a marker or sticker. (If you’ve laminated your copies, use a dry-erase marker.)
Gameschool Challenge Bingo is designed to work for you. There are no strict rules, no mandated prompts, no timeline! Maybe you’ll play one game a week, or one game a day, or maybe you want to complete a row of five in one day. Do what works for your unique family!
The best part? Your family is working together.
Here are some ideas:
- Print one challenge card and put it on your fridge. Let your children take turns choosing games to play. When you’ve finished, you can print the next in the series and repeat!
- If you’re feeling really playful, see if you can fill out the entire card!
- Some children may prefer to have their own card.
When it comes to gameschooling, the more the merrier! Share the Gameschool Bingo Challenge!
I’d love it if you could share this article with a friend and invite them to join in the fun!
Gameschool Bingo Challenge: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to be a gameschooler to participate?
A. Nope! All you need is a deck of cards and the desire to play with your kids!
Q. Do I have to be a homeschooler to join the challenge?
A. Absolutely not! If you love to play with your kids, you are welcome. I don’t care if you homeschool, afterschool, private school, hybrid school, public school- whatever! The more, the merrier!
Q. What if I don’t have a lot of games?
A. Not to worry! All you need, truly, is a deck of cards and maybe some dice. Check out the Bicycle website and you’ll be busy for weeks!
Q. I would like to add a few games to our shelf for this Gameschool Bingo Challenge, but I don’t want to break the bank. Can you help?
A. Absolutely! You can read our recommendations for the best games for $15 and under here. We also have a list of best games for under $25 here. Plus, we have an entire budget gameschooling resource page.
Q. If you had to pick five games, what would you choose?
A. Oh, I get this question a lot! It is so hard to choose, but you can check out my current top five here.
Q. Do you have a list of the best games by academic subject?
A. Yes! Find it here.
Q. Do you have a list of the best games by age level?
A. Yes! Check it out here.
Q. Do you have an Amazon page with gameschool recommendations?
A. You bet! You can find it here.
Q. What if I don’t have an Instagram account? Can we still participate in the Gameschool Bingo Challenge?
A. Of course! The idea is to play more with your kiddos. It doesn’t matter if you put the Gameschool Bingo cards on your fridge and choose not to share on the internet. The goal is to PLAY!
Q. Where will people be sharing the challenge?
A. I will be participating on Instagram because it is my favorite social media space, but be sure to check out Never Board Learning and the Gameschooling with My Little Poppies Facebook page.
Q. I am worried about those homeschool “must-dos”. How can I make the Gameschool Bingo Challenge work for us but still homeschool?
A. Great question! Sometimes, it can be great to shake up your homeschool now and again and play can change the entire atmosphere of your homeschool. Read more here.
Q. Is there any way to “count” this Gameschool Bingo Challenge as “school” for my year-end portfolio?
A. Yes, you can absolutely make this work! Read more here.
Q. What if my kids are reluctant to play with me?
A. This is a common question. I’ve got a secret strategy for you here.
Q. My kids are little. Can we still join?
A. Of course! Check out our tips for growing gameschoolers and the best games for little ones here.
Q. Help! I love to play, but I have a toddler and the toddler wreaks havoc on our play.
A. Hugs! You are not alone! You are in a tough season and it will get better! Here are some tips for amusing toddlers while you play and here are tips for playing with a toddler underfoot.
Q. I have a large family. Do you have any gameschooling tips for us?
A. Yes! You can read more about gameschooling with a large family here.
Q. I have a kiddo who doesn’t love competition. Help!
A. Some children do not like competition. I have a kid like this, too! Cooperative games can help your child to build confidence while gameschooling!
Q. I have a super-competitive kid and her intensity puts a damper on our play. Help!
A. You are not alone. I have one of those kiddos, too. Do you know what helped? Cooperative games! They are great for competitive *and* non-competitive kids!
Q. Cait, my kids fight all the time. What do I do?
A. Keep your eye on the prize, my friend. They are learning even when your gameschooling isn’t quite as you imagined. You might also want to try adding a cooperative game or two.
Q. I don’t see my question about the Gameschool Bingo Challenge listed here!
A. No worries! Check out our Gameschooling Resource Page and if you don’t see the answer to your question there, please contact me! I’d love to help!
Don’t forget to join the Gameschool Bingo Challenge
Be sure to tag me in your Gameschool Bingo Challenge photos!
I love seeing what everyone is playing. You can find me on Instagram here!
More resources for adding more gameschooling to your homeschool day
- Gameschooling Resource Page
- How to Make Your Gameschooling Delicious and Irresistible
- Holiday Gameschooling: How to Play Your Way Through ALL of the Holidays!
- 5 Absolutely Irresistible Games Kids Will Love
