School breaks are the perfect time to slow down, cozy up, and do some extra reading. But if you’ve ever been a classroom teacher (like I was) or a mom trying to motivate kids to read at home, you know that a little structure and fun goes a long way. That’s where Reading Challenge Bingo comes in!
I’ve created two free printable reading bingo cards—one for Christmas break and one for Thanksgiving break. These are a great way to keep kids of all ages (yes, even little kids and middle school students) excited about reading during the holidays. And the best part? They’re completely free! You can grab them on both TPT and Gumroad.
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Years ago, I was a literacy teacher for a pre-K classroom. That was when both my Christmas and Thanksgiving Bingos were created. The original article for my Christmas Bingo has since been deleted off this website; however, a portion of it, I wanted to preserve. The following heading was written in 2018.
Reading Too Early
In the middle of all the holiday busyness, an article has been popping up all over my newsfeed. It’s titled “Reading Too Soon” and comes from a site called The Organized Mind. The article has since been deleted, but here’s the basic idea:
Between ages 3–7, kids primarily learn through the right side of the brain, while reading is processed on the left side. When children are pushed to read too soon, before those pathways fully connect, it can actually hurt their literacy journey. Instead of drilling reading skills early, the article suggests parents focus on reading to their children and building a love for stories.
When I first read it, I immediately hit “share” because it resonated with truth. But as the article spread, I started seeing other moms jump to extremes, saying we should stop all reading-related activities with young kids—and that’s where we need to be careful.
The author, Stacey, clearly knows her stuff and makes excellent points. Still, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of early exposure to books, stories, and language. Early childhood literacy is not about rushing proficiency; it’s about planting seeds of joy, curiosity, and passion for reading.
As a preschool literacy teacher, here’s the distinction I think is most important:
The problem isn’t reading early; it’s forcing reading early. If we pressure preschoolers to read before their brains are ready, we can create frustration and even harm comprehension. But suppose we invite them into the world of literacy through play, storytelling, and exploration. In that case, we’re actually nurturing the right side of the brain to love reading long before decoding words is expected.
Here are a couple of examples:
- The right brain loves images, shapes, and storylines. So when a child “reads” a book by looking at the pictures and telling their own version of the story, that’s not a problem—it’s developmentally appropriate!
- Recognizing letters and learning their names is also fine. After all, letters are just shapes with names. The danger comes when we force children to memorize phonics rules or sight words before they’re ready. That’s when comprehension struggles can begin.
So here’s the takeaway in two sentences:
If you want your child to grow into a successful reader and writer, stop forcing them to read too soon. Instead, fill their world with books, stories, and opportunities to explore literacy in natural, joyful ways.
What’s Included in the Bingo Boards
The article I spoke about inspired both of these Reading Challenge Bingos.
Each bingo board is filled with fun and creative prompts to encourage kids to read in different ways and explore different genres. From reading under the Christmas tree to reading in your pajamas, these game boards make reading feel like play instead of homework.
Younger readers will enjoy reading with a stuffed animal or finding a favorite spot under the table, while older readers might enjoy tracking down historical fiction books or reading to a younger sibling.
It’s a fun way to keep literacy fresh during holiday breaks, discover favorite authors, and even explore whole new worlds through books.
How to Play
Just like traditional bingo, the goal is to complete a line; across, up and down, or even a diagonal line. Some families like to make it a friendly competition, while classrooms can set up a grand prize drawing for anyone who finishes a completed line or even the entire card (sometimes called a full house!). In our classroom, we used to have small prizes after school breaks for anyone who completed the card.
Why Bingo Reading Challenges Work
I’ve used these cards both in the classroom and now at home, and I can say they truly motivate kids. There’s something about checking off squares on a book bingo challenge that makes kids eager to keep going. It gives them a sense of accomplishment while also helping parents and teachers keep track of the books being read.
And the flexibility is what makes them the perfect way to encourage readers of all ages:
- Little kids can enjoy silly prompts like reading with one sock on.
- Middle school students can push toward new challenges by reading types of books they normally wouldn’t pick.
- Even high school students (and yes, adults too!) can join in for some fun activities and happy reading over the holidays.
Free Printables
These bingo reading challenges are available as a white version printable, but you can also easily use them as a digital bingo card or even a virtual bingo card if you’re running a group challenge online.
Both the Christmas Reading Bingo and the Thanksgiving Reading Bingo are 100% free for you to download and use. Grab them below!
So print them out, grab some children’s books from your local library, and get started. Who knows? You may just spark new ideas, build a new skill, or find your child’s next favorite author.
Here’s to happy reading and holiday fun!
Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
