There’s something extra fun about turning a regular day of thrifting into a game. That’s where thrift bingo comes in!
Imagine walking through your favorite thrift shop or vintage store with a bingo card in hand, hunting for quirky treasures like funky vases, chippy paint furniture, or a vintage frame. Each item you find gets you one step closer to shouting Bingo!
Whether you’re planning a girls’ day out, a family outing, or want to make thrifting more exciting, thrift bingo is the perfect game. And the best part? I’ve created free printable bingo cards you can download and play along with me.
What Is Thrift Bingo?
Thrift bingo is just like traditional bingo, but instead of numbers, the squares are filled with secondhand finds. Some of the unique words you might see on your card include:
- A mason jar
- An oval picture frame
- A funky vase
- A wooden chair
- An item priced way too high
- An ugly lamp
The goal is simple, find items as you shop and mark them off your card. Just like regular bingo, you might even get lucky with a free space that makes you a lucky player and helps you win faster!
How to Play Thrift Bingo
- Download Your Bingo Cards
I made 10 different thrift bingo cards so you and your friends won’t all have the same squares. Subscribe to my newsletter to download your free cards. - Head to Your Favorite Thrift Shop
Pick a local charity store, flea market, or vintage shop for a bingo adventure. I started my game at Lighthouse Children’s Home, then headed to Living Harvest, and finally Goodwill. - Mark Off Your Finds
As you shop, cross off each item you discover. From vintage quilts to unfinished wood, you’ll be surprised how quickly your card fills up. - Call Bingo!
The first person to cross off five in a row wins. Yell out bingo or thrifted for fun! Want to make it harder? Play for a full blackout card.
Ready for 100 More Decorating Ideas?
Over the years, I’ve gathered so many ideas beyond what I can share in one post. That’s why I wrote Vintage Nest — a collection of 100 thrifted, vintage, and antique finds with decorating tips for every room.
Fun Ideas to Make Thrift Bingo Special
- Girls’ Day Out – Grab coffee, print your cards, and see who becomes the lucky player first.
- Family Game Night – Take your kids thrifting and let them mark off their own bingo cards.
- Bridal Shower or Birthday Party – Play thrift bingo as a quirky icebreaker before celebrating.
- Add a Prize – Winner gets to pick lunch or receive a fun thrifted find under $5. But my favorite is a mystery prize for the winner.
Our Thrift Bingo Adventure
On my bingo card, I had items like a wooden chair, a funky vase, a chippy paint piece, and an old window. Some things were easy to find, like a butterfly, but others, like the old window, were trickier.
My friend Kirsten (from The Wooden Butterfly on YouTube) played along too, and she managed to complete her card before I did!
If you enjoy tuning into a good game on TV, you’ll love following along on our thrift bingo adventure on YouTube. It was such a blast!
One of my favorite finds was an ornate frame I scored for just $6. It’s always fun when you can check off a square and bring home something beautiful.
Who won our thrift bingo day? Well, I snagged a bingo first, but Kirsten went all the way and filled her entire card. Here I am showing off my not-quite-finished card; I'm still pretty proud of it, though!
Try Thrift Bingo Yourself
Next time you head to a thrift shop, grab my free printable bingo cards and invite a friend to play. It turns an ordinary shopping trip into a mini adventure.
Subscribe to my newsletter to download your free thrift bingo cards.
And if you love thrifting as much as I do, check out these other fun posts from Life on Summerhill:
- How to Create a Plate Gallery Wall with Thrifted Finds
- Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas with Thrifted Touches
Happy thrifting and happy bingo!
