Would you be happy about a Bingo Club for Kids?

by Hollie Sanders

It looks like quit a few people are up in arms in New South Wales after the Cardiff Panthers, who are a local school holiday activity group are now promoting kids bingo for their members to be able to participate in. According to reports the Cardiff Panthers have just sent out loads of big posters to local schools advertising “Kids Bingo” and their aim is to teach children to learn and recognise big numbers through playing the game.

Would you be happy about your children going to a club to play bingo? Bingo has always been thought to be one of the mildest forms of gambling to take part in and it is a leisure pursuit that is enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world, but would we want children between the ages of 5 to 15 being introduced to the game at a kids club? I am not so sure myself about that one and neither are lots of people for the New South Wales area!

A principle from one the school in New South Wales who was sent the posted was quoted as saying, “ He is appalled that the club would resort to promoting gambling with children aged 5-15″, and the club’s claim that it was helping children to learn to recognise big numbers didn’t help his mood.”

Whilst I do feel that playing a fun game like bingo could be education for little ones as it is thought that they learn much better through play and I can see how playing bingo for fun could help them get to learn numbers, there are other ways to teach them numeracy and these practices have been tried and tested for many years, which does take me round in a full circle back to the point of would I want my children to go to a club to play bingo? I have got to say I am still undecided on the answer to that one. Also whilst playing bingo may have an impact on younger children I don’t see how 15 year olds would benefit as most of them would know numeracy by the time they hit this age and whilst we know that bingo can help keep the mind active and alert for our older bingo playing generation, they are of the legal age to play!