| Aim | The aim of this activity Is to encourage participation, active involvement and active listening in the revelation of each other’s interests and backgrounds. |
| Trainee profile | Any. People with special needs can participate as long as they are able to express themselves. |
| Learning Objectives | To develop communication skills by engaging in conversation with others.
To foster inclusivity by learning about the backgrounds and interests of others. To improve integration skills by interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. |
| n° participants | Between 8-10 people |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Materials | Bingo cards (customized with interesting and diverse traits, such as “plays a musical instrument,” “has lived in another country,” “can speak a second language,” etc.). See the Annexes for example.
Pens/pencils |
| Preparation | Create a list of interesting and diverse traits that participants may possess.
Using the template provided in the Annexes, create a bingo card with 5×5 squares. Each square should contain one of the interesting traits from the list. Print enough copies of the bingo card for each participant. |
| Implementation | Hand out randomly the bingo cards and pens to each participant.
Instruct participants to go around the room and find people who fit the descriptions in each square of their bingo card. Participants should write the name of the person who fits the description in the card. The first person to fill out their entire bingo card should call out “Bingo!”. He/she should then describe the traits described in the Bingo cards and the persons they associated them with. Continue the activity until the second and third person would also call out “Bingo!” |
| Debriefing | Ask participants to share some interesting things they learned about their colleagues during the game.
Facilitate a discussion about the importance of inclusivity and the benefits of getting to know people from diverse backgrounds. Ask participants to reflect on how they can use the skills they learned in the game to improve their integration in other settings. |
| Tips and hints | Encourage participants to interact with people they do not know well, rather than sticking with their close friends.
Customize the bingo card to fit the specific group of participants, such as using traits related to a specific industry or field. Have a small prize for the winners to make the game more exciting. |
| Safety measures | Have the participants walk slowly and not rush and bump to each other during the activity. |
| Added value | This game encourages participants to step outside of their comfort zones, learn about others, and foster inclusivity in the group. |
| Variances | The game can be adapted to focus on a specific theme, such as “career goals” or “hobbies.” Other examples of Bingo Cards, here
You can make your own bingo cards here. |