This high-quality game brings kids to the edge of their seats while teaching them about some of the wildest ocean creatures under the sea! Easy in prep, this is a great game to have on hand for last minute changes or substitute program leads.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Library programming is designed to be fully inclusive. Age limits may be implemented in certain programs to ensure that program content fosters appropriate developmental markers.

Accessibility:

Enlarge the calling cards so people of all vision abilities can easily see the cards. (See Pro-tip #1 below.)

Consider enlarging a few of the bingo cards as well and using larger markers (buttons, checkers) for those with small-motor difficulties.

Use a microphone so you can be heard above excited chatter.



Mode: Facilitated



Staff Energy Level: Low



Ages: 5-12



Cost: $35/total



Length: 45-60 min.



Ideal Attendance: 10+



STEAM Practices:

✓ Science



Tags: science, ocean creatures, bingo, low cost



Credit: Kate Davis

Supplies:

(Supplies that libraries generally have on hand are not included in cost breakdown.)

Ocean Bingo game ($23.22)

Ocean creature figurines ($9.95/52pk)

Extra bingo card markers (beans, buttons, beads, etc.)

Plates/bowls to hold markers

Optional: technology to make the calling cards bigger*

Total: $33.17

Instructions:

Simply play the game! Kids adore learning new animals, comparing them to animals they know, and pronouncing new words (like “nudibranch”).
Winners can choose an ocean creature figurine as their prize.

Staff Know-How

Planning, Set Up & Facilitation

Consider enlarging the calling cards. (See pro-tips below.)
Set out plates/bowls of markers.

Pro-Tips

The calling cards that come in the game are about 2”x2” and when kids are looking to see what the animal looks like because they don’t spell yet, it can be hard for them to differentiate features at a distance. Use your available technology resources to enlarge the images. (You can always xerox and enlarge the image.)
Set an expectation that kids clean up their area before they leave, including any markers that may have dropped on the floor.
This is a great activity for a day when you’ve got kids dropping in/leaving at different times.