Snowman Bingo: Free Printable Snowman Bingo Cards
Snowman bingo is a winter bingo game where the squares are snowman parts and snowy things: carrot nose, scarf, top hat, mittens, buttons, a broom and plenty of snowflakes. For preschool, use a 4x4 card with no free space and the 26 words below, or switch to the picture version so kids who can't read yet can match by sight. It's free to print, and every card comes out different.
The button opens the generator with the whole snowman list loaded on 4x4 cards. Pick a color theme, set the number of cards and print.
▶ Make these exact bingo cards
26 snowman bingo words
Half the list is the snowman himself, so kids are "building" him as they play. The other half is the snowy day around him.
| Building the snowman | The snowy day around him |
|---|---|
| Snowman | Snowflakes |
| Carrot nose | Snowball |
| Scarf | Sled |
| Top hat | Shovel |
| Mittens | Hot cocoa |
| Buttons | Snow angel |
| Broom | Bird |
| Stick arms | Pine tree |
| Pebble eyes | Footprints |
| Big smile | Icicle |
| Earmuffs | Snow fort |
| Boots | Sunshine |
| Wool hat | Puddle |
Yes, Sunshine and Puddle are in there on purpose. Kids think it's hilarious when the sun comes out and the snowman turns into a puddle, and it's a sneaky little science lesson too.
Snowman bingo for preschool: keep it small
Three- and four-year-olds do best with fewer squares and lots of pictures. Here's what works:
- Use 4x4 or 3x3 cards. A 4x4 card has 16 squares, which is plenty. For the youngest, 3x3 (9 squares) finishes in a few minutes.
- Skip the free space. On a 4x4 card there's no true middle square anyway, and little ones get confused by a square they don't have to find.
- Show a picture with every call. Hold up a drawing or use the generator's caller on a screen.
- Use big markers. Cotton balls make perfect "snowballs" for covering squares. Pom-poms and stickers work too.
- Play two or three rounds, tops. Stop while they're still asking for more.
The picture version for non-readers
This list pairs each word with an emoji so pre-readers can play on their own. It's set up as a 3x3 card with 18 pictures, so each card is different and rounds are quick.
- ⛄ Snowman, 🥕 Carrot, 🧣 Scarf, 🎩 Top hat, 🧤 Mittens, 🧹 Broom
- ❄️ Snowflake, 🛷 Sled, 🐦 Bird, 🌲 Pine tree, 👢 Boot, ☀️ Sun
- 💧 Puddle, ☕ Cocoa, 🌨️ Snowing, ⚪ Snowball, 🧊 Ice, 🏔️ Snowy hill
Make the picture version of snowman bingo (3x3, 18 pictures). The bingo for toddlers and preschoolers guide has more tips on running a game with this age group.
How to play build-a-snowman bingo
This is a fun twist that turns the game into a craft. It works best with the "Building the snowman" words.
- Print a bingo card for each child, and draw three empty circles (a blank snowman) on the back.
- Call the words as usual. Each time a child marks a snowman part, they also draw that part on their blank snowman: a carrot nose, two stick arms, three buttons.
- When someone gets bingo, everyone flips over their card to see how far their snowman got.
- Keep playing until every child has a finished snowman. Nobody leaves without one.
It's a great calm-down activity after recess or a snowy outdoor play, because the drawing slows everyone down in a good way.
Fun ways to use snowman bingo all winter
Snowman bingo isn't just a Christmas game. It works from December right through February, which makes it handy for teachers who need a winter activity after the holidays.
- Classroom winter party. Pair it with a cocoa (or warm milk) station and paper snowflake cutting.
- Snow day at home. Play a round, then go outside and build the real thing. The snow day bingo page has a whole cabin-fever card for kids stuck indoors.
- Color practice. Call "Find the orange carrot" or "Find the red scarf" for a color lesson. Color bingo takes that idea further for preschool.
- Winter theme week. Mix in more snowy words from the winter bingo cards list for a longer game with older kids.
Good prizes for snowman bingo
- A snowflake or snowman sticker
- Being the next caller
- Choosing the next song or the next book for story time
- Extra mini marshmallows in their cocoa
- A paper "snowman builder" badge
Common snowman bingo mistakes
- Too many squares for little kids. A 5x5 card is a lot for a three-year-old. Keep preschool games at 3x3 or 4x4.
- Too few words. If you only have 16 words for a 4x4 card, every card is the same and everyone wins at once. Use the whole list.
- Calling without a picture. Pre-readers need to see it, not just hear it.
- Snowman characters from movies. Stick to a plain snowman so nobody argues about names, and you stay clear of trademarked characters.
▶ Make these exact bingo cards
Frequently Asked Questions
What is snowman bingo?
Snowman bingo is a winter bingo game where the squares are snowman parts and snowy things, like carrot nose, scarf, top hat, mittens, buttons and snowflakes. It works from December through February.
How do you play build a snowman bingo?
Draw a blank snowman on the back of each card. Each time a child marks a snowman part, like the carrot nose or the buttons, they draw it on their snowman. Keep playing until everyone has a finished snowman.
Is snowman bingo good for preschool?
Yes. Use 3x3 or 4x4 cards with no free space, show a picture with every call and use big markers like cotton balls. The picture version on this page is made for kids who can't read yet.
Where can I get snowman bingo cards free?
Use the button on this page. It opens the free generator with the snowman word list already loaded on 4x4 cards. Choose how many you need and print. Every card comes out different.
Is snowman bingo only for Christmas?
No. Snowman bingo has no Christmas words in it, so it works for winter classroom parties, snow days and winter theme weeks all the way into February.
