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Sophia avatar

Hello, we play bingo with our residents weekly. Trying to think of ideas for prizes that aren't sweets or toiletries was hoping for some ideas.

Susan avatar

Hi Sophia

Here are some ideas

I always used to give out a quarter to the winner

We did not clear the cards until we had three winners

Each one got a quarter

The last game was a coverall and the winner got a dollar

Other members had these ideas

https://www.goldencarers.com/forum-search/?searchterm=Bingo+prizes

https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/8408/

https://www.goldencarers.com/koala-keno/3871/

Let us know if you need more ideas

Lifestyle avatar

Hi there

If you have a lifestyle budget or are able to charge residents $1 or $2 per bingo day (used to purchase prizes), you could introduce a token system.

Each winner receives a token and at the end of your bingo session the tokens are traded for items. I used to have $1, $2 and $5 items (so 1 token equates to $1).

Items can include your usual toiletries and chocolates but can also be small potted plants, throw blankets, scarves, hats, gloves, neck pillows etc. Some residents saved up their tokens each week so they could get that $5 trade :)

Michelle

Susan avatar
Susan Care Activity Coordinator

I've bought photo frames, small ornaments and artificial flower arrangements for their rooms

Susan avatar

Hi life style and Susan thank you for your input

Ellen avatar

We put out a request for prizes in our monthly agency newsletter to the community with ideas of what we need. We go to the Salvation Army and or Goodwill retail shops an buy big bags filled with stuffed animals for 2.00. We also have suggested a donation at Christmas time as families would like to do something for the residents. With that money we purchase postage stamps and put them with a greeting card for them to mail and purchase individual size chips that they do not get here as a part of their meals like Cheetos flaming hot and other hot chips or some that they request. We also get the little cans of pop and hostess pies. Sometimes we cut up fruits and put them into fancy plastic cups and cover them with a little spoon on the side. Everybody loves bingo. We do it twice per week.

Susan avatar

Hi Ellen

Thank you for your input

Rachel avatar

We play "Penny Bingo" so our residents get a penny for each Bingo they call off. It doesn't seem like much, but it adds up. When they get 100 pennies then they can turn them in for a dollar. We give them little containers to put their pennies in, but sometimes I have to check their rooms to find them. If they don't turn them in it doesn't really matter anyway.

Susan avatar

Hi Rachel

Thank you for this

Sophia avatar

Thank you for all your comments

Teena avatar

Hi Sophia,

You can ask families/staff to donate their unwanted costume jewelry/brooches/neckties for your gentleman and McDonalds happy meal coupons. jackpot round could win a makeover with a photo shoot and give the photo to the family member for Christmas/Birthday etc.

Hope this helps.

Susan avatar

Hi Teena

Costume jewelry is a good idea

Most residents really like that stuff

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