Free Fall Bingo
Fall Prevention Bingo
Free printable bingo game White cardstock or copy paper Bingo chips or small candy pieces like M&Ms, Skittles, or Starbursts to mark the cards. Directions: Print the bingo cards out on paper or card stock. Cut out the pictures on the numbered call out sheet. These Free Printable Autumn Bingo Cards can be printed at home so that you can play a fun game of fall-themed bingo with your family and friends! Everything you need to play is included in the pack for up to 12 players. You could even play it over Zoom or House Party with those not in your household! You may also choose to print the blank bingo cards and then, like one viewer did, give children a variety of stickers to make their own. (Thanks for the suggestion Jeanne.) We also have a traditional 5x5 number bingo card available to print. The 'free space' of this card is thematic. You may want to laminate the bingo cards after you print them. These bingo cards include words like you can create cards like these using BingoCardCreator How To Play Autumn Bingo Cards. Print and go Autumn, Customize or start from scratch with Autumn bingo cards by logging in or registering your Bingo Card Creator; Give one card to each player.
Note: The following instructions for Safe for Elders Fall Prevention Bingo are also available to download.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness about the different types of risk factors for falls.
- To learn what people can do to reduce their risk of being injured from a fall.
Setting Up:
You will need the following materials to play BINGO:
- Instruction Sheet
- Bingo Discussion Guide
- Printable 8.5 x 11” bingo cards (50 different cards to choose from)
- Printable 8.5 x 11” sheets of calling squares
You will also need:
- Prizes
- BINGO Stampers or Pens
- A box or bag (not see through!) to put the calling squares in
Print your bingo cards:
Print enough cards to give one (or more) to each player. Make sure you print different cards so that there are only one or two winners at a time, or if you want more winners, make sure you have enough prizes!
Print your calling squares:
Print two sets of calling squares. One set you will cut up and put into the draw box or bag. The other set you will keep beside you to cross off / mark the squares as they are called so you can check the winner’s card.
The caller should familiarize themselves with the rules of the game below.
Print your discussion guide:
Print the discussion guide and familiarize yourself with it. During the game, you will use the discussion guide to ask questions of the players about fall prevention.
Playing the Game:
Free Fall Bingo Templates
1. Give one (or two) BINGO card to each player. Ensure they also have a pen/marker/bingo stamper to mark the cards.
2. Speak briefly about fall prevention. Explain that each of the 5 BINGO columns corresponds with a type of risk and a way to avoid the risk.
- B = Behaviour
- I =Indoors
- N = Nutrition
- G = Get Active
- O = Outdoors
3. Fall Prevention BINGO is similar to playing traditional BINGO.Players will use a stamper, or make an ‘x’ with their pen on each square that is read out by the caller.
MAKE SURE that if you are going to play several games and are using a distinctive shape (U, T, E, etc.), that everyone marks off EVERY square they have, not just the ones that fit into the winning shape.
4. Draw squares from the call bag/box one at a time, until the first player to show five consecutive squares marked in a row (either horizontally, vertically or diagonally) calls BINGO!
5. That player will be declared the winner and a prize will be awarded.
6. Using the same card, a second game is won when someone has 3 complete lines (either horizontally, vertically or diagonally).
7. If you have more time, you can have a BLACKOUT game in which a player must completely fill their card before they call out BINGO!
8. Play as many games as time permits. Ensure you have enough prizes! The game is designed to teach people about fall prevention in an interactive and fun way.
Click here to download these Safe for Elder Bingo Instructions
About
Fall Prevention Bingo is a fun and engaging educational tool that can be used to improve knowledge of fall risks among older adults. Fall Prevention Bingo is played like traditional bingo, except the bingo numbers have been replaced with evidence-based fall prevention information. We have played Fall Prevention Bingo with older adults in senior centers, apartment buildings and naturally occurring retirement communities, and we also have a version that can be played at home with friends and family.
Download the free Fall Prevention Bingo word sheets, bingo cards and the instruction sheet to play at home!
To learn more about the development and effects of Fall Prevention Bingo, read our paper “Fall Prevention Bingo: Effects of a novel community-based educational tool on older adults’ knowledge and readiness to reduce risks for falls.”
Development of Fall Prevention Bingo was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under award number [MOHHU0024 and MOHHU0040].
Getting Started
Who can play?
Everyone! Fall Prevention Bingo is designed for all ages. This is an opportunity for people to spend time together while learning about an important issue affecting older adults.
Playing in teams can help everyone participate, from the youngest to the oldest, by providing extra support for anyone who might have difficulty reading, hearing or placing chips on the card.
What else do we need?
All players need bingo chips/markers. If you don’t have bingo chips, any small item such as buttons, coins, colored pasta or dried beans will work. Prizes (optional) can range from store-bought items to homemade coupons.
If you plan to play a virtual game, identify a platform to use that works best for your family and friends.
How to Play
Before you start
Gather supplies…
- Bingo cards (each player needs their own card)
- Bingo chips/markers (25 per person)
- Cut and folded bingo word sheets in a bowl
- Prizes (optional)
Designate a bingo caller and decide on the winning patterns.
Free Fall Bingo Cards
Playing the game
Free Fall Bingo Cards To Print
- Bingo caller pulls one word at a time from the bowl. Caller announces the word and reads the fall prevention fact out loud. Caller sets aside the pulled words until the end of each game.
- Players mark each called word on their card.
- Player yells “BINGO” when winning pattern is reached.
- Caller confirms bingo with the pulled words and gives out prize (optional).
- Refold pulled words, return to bowl and mix papers. Play again!
Autumn Bingo
Tip: encourage players to talk about their experiences during the game. For example, if the caller draws “slip,” they may ask everyone to share stories about a time when they had a slip and how it may have been prevented.