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Hen night · original entertainment

Hen bingo: the original game everyone loves

Custom hen bingo is the perfect entertainment for a hen night: it breaks the ice between guests who don't all know each other, celebrates the bride-to-be with funny anecdotes, and paces the night with no pro host needed. Cards with photos, dares, words drawn at random.

Why bingo works for a hen night

Three reasons that make bingo the ideal hen entertainment:

  1. It gets EVERYONE playing — the closest friend as well as the sister-in-law meeting everyone for the first time. The game gives structure, no awkwardness, and the rhythm is set by the draws
  2. Strong personalization — cards with bride photos, anecdotes, funny dares. Each square triggers a shared memory or a collective laugh
  3. No pro host required — the game mechanics do the work. A maid of honor or even the bride herself can host in 5 minutes

Square ideas for a hen bingo

Recommended mix for a 24–25 square card:

📸 Memory photos

Childhood photo, photo of meeting the groom, fail-night photo, family photo. 5–8 squares.

💬 Anecdotes

“The time she lost her phone in Berlin”, “Her worst teenage crush”, “Her 2008 haircut”. 6–8 squares.

🎯 Dares to pull off

“Take a photo with a stranger”, “Make the bride take a shot”, “Dance for 30 sec to this song”. 5–7 squares.

🌟 Personality traits

“Always late”, “Coffee addict”, “Cries during rom-coms”, “Can't say no”. 4–6 squares.

Pro tip: ask each guest for 3–4 anecdotes/photos 2 weeks before the hen. Compile everything in BingoShow and generate unique cards per guest (some shared squares + some specific). “Wow” effect guaranteed.

When to play during the hen weekend

SlotLengthWhy it works
Friday arrival20–30 minIce-breaker, get to know each other
Saturday evening, drinks30–45 minHosts the dinner, alternates with other games
Sunday brunch15–20 minGame-mode debrief, last dance
AVOIDDuring key activities (spa, cooking class)

Prize ideas for a hen bingo

Suggested budget: €30–€80 total for a 15-person hen. A few ideas:

  • Fun prizes for lines: mini beauty products, eye masks, chocolates, funny accessories
  • Mid prizes: €10 gift vouchers at a nice shop, books, pretty decor objects
  • Main prize (full house): spa session, lunch for 2 at a restaurant, cosmetics basket, wedding-themed accessory wink
  • Low-budget alternative: a printed honorary title (“Queen of the Hen Bingo 2026”), handmade badge, group photo in a frame

How to build your hen bingo with BingoShow

  1. Create a free account on BingoShow (1 free session per month)
  2. Pick the format: custom 5×5 bingo with free content (instead of numbers)
  3. Add your squares: type or paste your 25 anecdotes/photos/dares
  4. Generate unique cards (1 per guest — each card has a different mix)
  5. Print the PDF at home or at an express print shop
  6. On the day: project the host screen on the Airbnb TV or show it on a phone. Draw squares at random, tick on each mention

Frequently asked questions

Why is bingo a great hen idea?

Hen bingo works for 3 reasons: (1) it gets EVERYONE playing, from close friends to sisters-in-law meeting for the first time — no awkwardness, it has structure; (2) the personalization is strong (cards with photos, anecdotes about the bride, fun dares); (3) it paces the night with no pro host needed — each square triggers a laugh or a memory.

Which card format for a hen?

Two options depending on your style. (1) Traditional 75- or 90-number digital cards — clean, classic, works for adult groups. (2) Themed cards with custom squares (anecdotes about the bride, photos, funny dares) — more impactful for a hen. BingoShow handles both formats.

What squares to put on a hen bingo card?

Typical mix: (a) photos of the bride at different ages, (b) anecdotes (“her worst beauty idea”, “the time she…”), (c) fun dares to do during the evening (“take a photo with a stranger”, “dance to this song”), (d) personality traits (“always late”, “coffee addict”). Mix serious and fun in 24–25 squares.

How many cards for a 15-person hen?

Usually 1 card per guest is enough (hen cards are personalized, not generic like an association loto). For a 2-day weekend, plan 2–3 different cards per guest (1 per activity or evening). With BingoShow you generate unique cards in minutes.

When to play bingo during the hen?

Best slots: (1) on Friday evening arrival (ice-breaker between guests), (2) Saturday evening at dinner or drinks (paces the night), (3) Sunday morning at breakfast (game-mode debrief). Avoid playing during key activities (spa, cooking class) where the bride is focused.

Do you need prizes for a hen bingo?

Optional but nice. Small fun prizes ($): beauty products, hair-salon vouchers, books, accessories. For the full house: a more meaningful prize (spa session, lunch for two). Total budget: €30–€80 for the whole hen. Or alternative: no prize at all, just the honor of shouting “BINGO!” first.

What about a stag night?

Works the same way — dares, anecdotes, photos of the groom. See our dedicated stag bingo page.

Can we print the cards ourselves?

Yes. BingoShow generates a print-ready PDF (A4), with or without personalization. Print at home, at the town hall, or at an express print shop (Vistaprint, Pixartprinting…). Allow 5–15 min to generate 15 personalized hen cards.

Build your hen bingo in 10 minutes

Free account. 30-day pass at €14 if you want full customization.

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