Free Printable 50s and 60s Music Bingo Cards (Oldies Song Bingo)

Play the first three notes of “Johnny B. Goode” in a room full of people who were teenagers in 1958, and watch what happens. Toes tap, someone starts singing, and a story about the old roller rink comes out. Music bingo brings that energy to a bingo table. It’s one of the most requested activities in senior communities, and it’s just as fun at a 50th class reunion or a sock hop theme party.

How do you play 50s and 60s music bingo?

The host plays song clips instead of calling numbers.

1. Print a card for each player from the generator at the top of this page.
2. Make a playlist from the song titles on the list at the bottom of this page, using any music service, CDs or records.
3. Shuffle the playlist and play 15 to 30 seconds of each song.
4. Players mark the song title if it’s on their card. If the artist is also on their card, they mark that too. (“Hound Dog” lets players mark both “Hound Dog” and “Elvis Presley.”)
5. After each clip, announce the title and artist so everyone can check.
6. The first player with five in a row calls “Bingo!” The center square is free.

Artist squares can be marked once, even if that artist plays several times.

How many music bingo cards do I need?

One per player plus a few extras. With 40 songs on the playlist and 54 squares in the full list, games move at a nice pace. For a group of 25, print 30 cards. Every card is different.

Who sang it? A quick reference

A few of the songs on the list, with the artists most people remember:

Variations

• Name that tune. Before announcing the answer, ask the room to shout out the title. The first correct guess earns a small prize.
• Sing-along rule. If the whole room is singing, let the clip play to the chorus.
• Decades split. Play a 1950s-only round and a 1960s-only round.
• Dance break. When “The Twist” comes up, anyone who stands up and twists earns a free square.

Tips for senior groups

• Turn it up, but not too loud. Hearing aids pick up distortion at high volume. Use a good speaker at moderate volume.
• Show the title after each clip on a whiteboard for players with hearing loss.
• Print large. Song titles are longer than numbers; print one card per page for players with low vision. See our guide to bingo for seniors for more accessibility tips.
• Leave time for stories. Music brings back memories. Let people share them.

Prize ideas

Old-school candy (Necco Wafers, Bit-O-Honey, root beer barrels), a greatest-hits CD, a word search book, a vintage-style postcard set or simply first pick of the next song. Our bingo prize ideas guide has more.

Looking for another nostalgic game? Try our memory lane bingo cards, or switch to classic numbers with our large print bingo cards.