Match the grid size to the age
Bingo grid size sets how long the game runs, so pick it for the crowd. Little kids do best with a short game; adults can sit with a longer one and a bit of a challenge.
- 3x3 needs eight words and fills fast, good for young kids or a quick round
- 4x4 needs sixteen words, the usual choice for a mixed-age party
- 5x5 needs twenty-four words and a free center, the longest game, good for adults
Build bingo from the birthday person's words
The difference between a fun card and a filler card is whose words are on it. Use the birthday person's name, their hobbies, their favorite things, the year they were born. Festafetti shuffles your list into a different card for every guest, up to 200, so no two boards match and the game runs to a real winner.
- For a kid: their favorite animals, shows, snacks, and colors
- For an adult: their hobbies, hometown, the year, inside jokes
- For a milestone: things from the year they were born
Run one loud game and one quiet game
A party needs a change of pace. Pair one game the whole room plays at once with one people can do on their own. Bingo is the loud one. A scavenger hunt suits an active kids' party, and a how-well-do-you-know quiz suits a milestone birthday where guests have stories to tell.
Sort out prizes and timing first
Decide the prize before the party, even a small one, so you are not scrambling when someone wins bingo. Print a few extra cards for the guests who show up uncounted. Run the active game early while energy is high, and save the quiet game for when everyone is eating cake.
The short version
Pick the grid size for the age, fill bingo with the birthday person's own words, pair one loud game with one quiet one, and set the prize before you start. Type the details and Festafetti prints a different card for every guest.