Summer Bingo

Recently my friend Alicia and I were talking about our summer plans.  She sent me a link to Stacey Julian's blog post from last summer for her Summer  Bingo game.  I fell in love and immediately set to work to create some more (different) Bingo cards.   I simply used Stacey's template and just filled in with my own "tasks".  Here are some of the "task" ideas I came up with.

Fun and Games

Play charades with your sister
Build something with only 25 Legos
Build something with only red and white Legos
Play Memory with your sister
Play school (in your room)
Play Mancala (in a closet)
Play any board game with your sister
Play a SMART computer game
Play the Tea Party game
Play a game from the yellow book
Play checkers
Play Calico Critters
Put a puzzle together
Build something with blocks
Time something out of your stopwatch book
Play with Fractiles

Outside Fun

Make an obstacle course in the yard and have a race!
Do gymnastics across the back yard 
Lay outside on a blanket and play “I Spy”
Bury treasures in the sandbox and have someone find them
Jump on the trampoline
Play Uno outside on a blanket
Make a sandcastle in the sandbox
Play hopscotch
Jump Rope (How high can you count?)
Tap dance in the garage
Roller blade for at least 30 min.
Make lunch and take it outside to eat.
Throw the softball with your sister
Play jack rocks
Make a bike path in chalk and then ride it.
Take photos of nature
Get a blanket and watch the clouds

Writing

Journal - Is it more fun playing inside or out in summer?
Write a note or letter and mail it.
Copy a poem and mail it to someone.
Write a note with a question(s)and mail it (send a return env.)
Journal - Picnic or Restaurant?  Why?
Journal - Family Journal
Make a “would you rather” list  in the family journal
Family Journal -favorite ice-cream flavor
Write in your journal
Journal about something you did recently.
Copy a Bible verse in your journal

Serving

Call someone and read a short book to them
Call and talk to a family member.
Offer to help a neighbor
Call and offer to help a family member organize something
Make a bible verse bookmark for a neighbor

Chore related

Clean out under your bed
Clean out your sink
Go thru and put away things in your junk basket
Clean out the beackseat of the car
Swiffer floor
Straighten the shoes by the back door.
Clean out the dishwasher
Straighten a drawer in your room
Swiffer the baseboards downstairs
Help a Parent Wildcard (parent chooses)
Dust your shutters
Organize or decorate something in your bedroom.
Set the table for the family.
Check the mail
Water Mommy’s plants

Reading

Read a short book
Read a chapter of a book
Read a chapter of a book in Mom & Dad’s room.
Read a chapter of a book outside on a blanket
Read a book in a blanket fort
Read to your sister (or parent).
Read your book in a secret place.
Listen to a book on tape

Math

Play DS Math
Play a math game from the classroom
Write any math facts in chalk on the driveway
Write 8’s math facts on the driveway
Write 7’s math facts on the driveway in chalk
Water paint math facts on driveway
Puzzle– or Math– mania
Do any math puzzle or sheet
Timez Attack (or other PC math game)

Artsy Fartsy

Color a page in a coloring book (Drawer #3)
Do an activity book (Drawers 1 or 2)
Plan a tea party (invitations and guest list)   next week (food and decorations)
Draw with Mr. Kistler (online or book)
Make up a scavenger hunt for a friend
Make up a dance routine
Put on a puppet show
Play dress up
Knit
Cut up magazines and make a mosaic
Sketch something from outside
Paint outside
Set up pretend horseback riding in your room
Play store
Make something with beads
Play with Model Magic

I also modified Stacey Julian's rules and prize options, slightly.  Just something you may want to consider for your unique situation.


The Rules
1.    You must make your bed, pick up your clothes in your room and bathroom, and brush your teeth before playing Bingo.
2.    You will receive a new bingo card each week (on Sunday).
3.    You will get one FREE sticker to place on any square on your card.
4.    Be sure to tell Mom or Dad which bingo square you are doing or have just done.
5.    You earn one ticket for every bingo (5 squares in a row).
6.    If you complete your entire BINGO card (blackout) by Saturday night, you will get $3.00 toward something fun.

The Prizes
Redeeming BINGO tickets

1 ticket = Popsicle/ Home-made ice cream cone
           = Stay up until 9:30
2 tickets = 1 hour of Wii (or TV)
3 tickets = redbox rental
5 tickets = sleepover
Finishing one card = $3 to do something fun (ice cream, $ Tree, Michaels, Putt Putt, toy store, etc…)

What I love about this idea is that it is a good way for them to independently experience a lot of different activities this summer.  It puts them in command - they schedule what they want to do when they want to do it (within my limits in the design of the Bingo Card).  Then they have to use some budgeting skills with the "loot" they've earned.  Some of the tasks are super-simple and/or super-fast, some not-so-much, but that's the fun of it.  It is all basically fun, not-so-hard stuff that is rewarded with just more more fun.  Plus is uses down any over-stock supply of stickers you may have bulging at the seams.

Some of the tasks I will use over and over while others I will only use one time.  Since it was important for me that my girls not forget everything they've learned this year, I made sure I incorporated some Reading, Writing, and 'Rithmetic but you may opt not to do so.  Mix it up.  And be sure to post any other ideas you may have to add!