Signature Bingo
is a variation on the popular numbers version of bingo. But here, people attempt to fill their cards by meeting others and learning a little bit about them, then having them sign their bingo card. Used to break the ice at singles parties, office functions and on the first day of a new school session, the Signature Bingo cards have different phrases such as "Has five cats," "Can speak Mandarin" or "Knows play euchre," which guests must fill to win a prize. Does this Spark an idea?
Create a Theme
Break the ice with a Signature Bingo card that has a theme instead of just a scattered collection of phrases. For example, if your bingo group is a singles group meeting for the first night of a singles cruise, use phrases such as "Has cruised before," "Has never been married," "Enjoys traveling" and "Has two kids" so participants can get to know each other. If your bingo group is children, such as at a birthday party or the first day of third grade, use kid-friendly topics such as "Has an Elmo doll," "Watches Saturday morning cartoons," "Loves pizza" and "Knows skateboard."
Timing
Keep an eye on the time so that guests do not get bored with the game. Consider giving a clue every 10 minutes or half hour, where someone in the group stands up to reveal which square on the board applies to him (such as "Makes candles as a hobby"). This will help the group fill out squares and also get to know personal tidbits about each other. Let the group know the time constraints before you begin; if people are interacting well and conversation flows smoothly, let the time run over (if your location permits). Signature Bingo facilitators can also assist with the game by walking through the crowd and giving hints.
Maintain a Mix
The object of Signature Bingo is to get your group meeting each other, not necessarily to fill the cards. The cards serve as a way to break the ice, but the game may go quickly south if it's too easy or too hard. Avoid signature boxes that seem too easy, such as "Has a pet" or "Went to college." Also avoid something that may prevent people from marking off any boxes at all, such as "Competed in the Iditarod" or "Has four doctorate degrees." Keep a good mix; if you know a few things about your group beforehand, use it as a guide to add items to the bingo card. Guests will appreciate seeing something that applies to them and it gives them something to discuss with a new crowd. Signature Bingo rules usually allow people to sign their own card one time; guests can only sign each card one time as well.
Tags: Signature Bingo, each other, bingo group, card time, group meeting, phrases such