How to Make a Beach-Bingo Game for Kids

Toting the entire family to the beach for the day requires much preparation and effort. After packing the car with beach towels, sand toys, beach chairs and umbrellas, a cooler full of drinks and snacks, sunscreen and coins for the parking meter, it can be extremely frustrating for kids to cry that familiar "I'm Bored" mantra after only an hour or two on the beach. While you prepared to spend the entire day on the sand, your kids have already played in the surf, built a sandcastle and are now ready to go home. This portable homemade beach-bingo game will help to keep your kids happy and busy and reignite their enthusiasm for spending the day at the beach.

How to make a beach-bingo game for kids: Supplies Needed. You will need a large piece of cardboard for every homemade beach-bingo game you plan to make. Make one Bingo game board for each child of your family as well as an extra one or two for a last minute friend who comes along as well as kids your children may befriend while at the beach. Copy magazine or clip art pictures from the computer of items commonly found at the beach such as sandcastles, shells, shovels, pails, seagulls, sea glass, beach umbrellas, radios, flip flops, lifeguards, etc. Make as many copies as needed and reduce the pictures so that you can fit at least nine squares on each Bingo card. You will also need clear contact paper which can be found at arts and crafts stores and markers whose ink can be wiped off with a damp towel or cloth. You will also need a spool of ribbon or twine and a hole puncher.

How to make a beach-bingo game for kids: Creating Your Bingo Games. After making the necessary copies of Beach items, cut out each picture in a square shape and arrange on your cardboard pieces. Glue the pictures onto the cardboard pieces in the same arrangement on each board and the cover with clear contact paper. Punch a hole in the top of each Bingo board and thread your ribbon or twine through the hole. Make a knot in the hole to hold in place and then tie a marker to each Bingo board. Pack your beach-bingo games in a clear plastic bag to keep them from getting wet or dirty and pack in your beach bag for your next trip to the beach.