Free cards + classroom lesson
Shapes and Colours Picture Bingo
For Nursery and Reception
Match colour and shape vocabulary in one simple visual game.
- ✓ Four different printable cards
- ✓ Large picture caller sheet
- ✓ A4 landscape, four cards per page
- ✓ 12-minute lesson and eight caller prompts
- ✓ Separate two-page printable teacher guide
- ✓ No account or email required
Same eight pictures and words, 50 shuffled layouts. A4 PDF, one-time payment.
Download the free teacher guide (PDF) · Read the lesson
Free classroom use. The small BingoGen footer helps other teachers find the resource.
Actual free PDF page. The paid upgrade uses these same pictures and words.
What children practise
How to use the pack
- 1. Print page one at 100% on A4 paper.
- 2. Cut the four cards apart and give one to each player.
- 3. Use page two to call, show or describe each item.
- 4. Play for the first row, column or diagonal. Cards have different arrangements but share the same eight items, so full-house games finish together and line wins may tie.
Suggested 12-minute lesson · 1–4 players
Teach the words. Then play.
Listen for a two-part description and match both a colour and a shape.
Learning goals
- Distinguish circle from square using shape features.
- Match both words in a description such as 'red circle'.
Before the lesson
- Print the two-page pack in colour on A4 landscape and cut out the four cards. Check that the colours remain distinguishable on your printer.
- Provide counters and a real circle and square if available. Keep the labelled caller sheet for reference.
Use large, age-appropriate counters. The card PDF is two A4 landscape pages; the teacher guide is a separate two-page A4 portrait PDF.
0-3 min
Explore the shapes
Show a circle and a square. Describe the circle's curved boundary and the square's four equal straight sides. Rehearse the colour names on the caller sheet.
3-5 min
Model both words
Say 'red circle' and compare it with 'yellow circle'. Point out that both shape and colour matter. Give out cards, mark FREE and demonstrate a line of three.
5-9 min
Call complete labels
Shuffle caller tiles and say each full two-word label. Let children point before marking. Keep each called tile aside to check winning lines.
9-12 min
Sort and describe
After the game, sort the caller tiles by shape. Invite children to describe one tile in full and explain how they distinguished it from another.
Caller prompts for all eight items
The labels below match the downloadable cards. Start with the direct label, then use the suggested prompt when it fits your group. Keep called tiles aside so you can check a winning line.
| Card label | What to say or demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Red circle | Find the red circle. Check both words. |
| Blue square | Find the blue square. Check both words. |
| Yellow circle | Find the yellow circle. Check both words. |
| Green square | Find the green square. Check both words. |
| Purple circle | Find the purple circle. Check both words. |
| Orange square | Find the orange square. Check both words. |
| White circle | Find the white circle. Look for its outline. |
| Black square | Find the black square. Check its straight sides. |
Vocabulary list to copy into your own activity
One item per line. You can select this list and copy it into the word caller or a custom card activity.
Make the activity fit your learners
Add support
Show the matching caller tile as you speak and let pupils use the printed labels or a partner's support. Check the white circle is visible against the page.
Offer a challenge
Ask a pupil to call a full description. Sort tiles by shape and explain what makes the squares alike despite their different colours.
A quick learning check
Can the child select the correct tile when another tile has the same shape? Ask which two features they checked.
Playing with more than four children?
The free set has four layouts. You can play in pairs, rotate a small group, or print extra copies and explain that some players share a card. The optional 50-card pack gives more shuffled layouts of the same eight items. All cards share the vocabulary, so line wins may tie and full-house games finish together.
Before you call, show a winning pattern. For this shared eight-item set, a row, column or diagonal of three is a useful starting rule.