Playground Explorer Bingo
In pairs, children carry a bingo card with six pictures of playground things and actions (hug a tree, step on a shadow, sit on the bench, walk along a line…) and mark them off as they explore. It builds orientation, knowledge of their surroundings and moving safely around the playground.
How to play
- Sitting down, the teacher shows the card: six squares with pictures of things to find and do in the playground. We go over them together with a gesture for each one (2 min).
- Make pairs and give each pair a card on a clipboard and a crayon. Review the areas that are off-limits (2 min).
- Pairs go exploring: when they find something on the card, they do the action together (hug the tree, jump on the line, touch something red…) and mark the square (6 min).
- When a pair fills their card, they shout “Bingo!” and go help another pair find what they're missing (3 min).
- Gather in a circle, and each pair shows their favorite thing from the card by doing the action again for everyone (2 min).
Rules
- Partners always stay together, holding hands or very close.
- We only explore inside the areas the teacher named.
- Do the action before marking the square.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, four-square cards, and the whole class explores together behind the teacher.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, six-square cards in pairs.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, nine-square cards with some harder ones (find something taller than the teacher, count five leaves, step on three shadows).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a card with wheelchair-accessible items and a partner who helps them get there.
- Visual impairment: tactile squares (something rough, something cold, something soft), with the partner guiding to each place.
- Autism: partner with a trusted friend, and include a “rest on the bench” square in case it's needed.
Learning goals
- Explore the playground safely and in an orderly way.
- Recognize things in the surroundings from pictures.
- Decide with a partner what order to search in.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cartones de bingo dibujados: 13
- ceras: 13
- tablillas con pinza: 13
Teacher tip
Walk the playground beforehand and match the squares to what's actually there. The usual mistake is partners splitting up to chase different things: insist that they search holding hands.
PatioLab has "Playground Explorer Bingo" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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