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With every new calendar year approaching, there is always the topic of creating New Years Resolutions. Even though I know my history with these types of goals, I can’t resist dreaming of a bigger life in the new year. How many times have you made a long list of goals only to forget about in a few weeks? It’s time to shake things up with a more playful, flexible, and inspiring approach: a bingo card for your 2026 goals!
Bingo is a great way to gamify your year and celebrate every small win, all while working toward bigger milestones. This post will walk you through how to plan your card, create it, and get excited for new adventures in 2026 by playing bingo.
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My 2024 Bingo Card Adventure
In 2024 I decided to play bingo with experiences I wanted in my life. And I want to share how I created my list and what’s on my 2026 bingo card goals. I made a list of 25+ experiences I thought wouldn’t necessarily be “resolutions” per se. A lot of them were either things I had always wanted to try or things I wanted to finally do.
I made a video to document the beginning of this new adventure.
Why a Bingo Card?
Traditional resolutions can feel rigid and overwhelming. A bingo card, on the other hand, offers structure with a healthy dose of freedom and fun. Instead of sticking to one or two resolutions, you’ll have 25 exciting goals to choose from throughout the year.
Whether you aim to cross off an entire row or simply enjoy ticking off squares at your own pace, the process becomes less about pressure and more about joy of new experiences.
Step 1: Dream Big Bingo Goals and Reflect
Before creating your bingo card, take a moment to reflect on what you truly want out of 2026. Think about different areas of your life you’d like to impact. Start with things you’d like to conquer for personal growth, fitness, relationships, travel, hobbies, and self-care. Think of goals of various sizes to ensure each square isn’t daunting to complete.
Here are some prompts to get you started with Goal Setting Bingo:
- What’s one new skill I’d love to learn?
- Is there a new race I’ve always wanted to try? (And save on the destination race of your dreams, which is even better!)
- Where have I always wanted to travel?
- What would make me feel proud at the end of the year?
- Is there a band you’ve always wanted to see in concert?
- How can I bring more fun into my daily routine?
- Set a goal for your dream race, like a full marathon!
- How can I add more whimsy to my running routine?
- Are there people I want to travel with?
- Is there a charity I’d love to support while checking a box?
Jot down all your ideas, from small wins to big dreams. For example, “Attend a music festival” might be a bigger goal you’d stretch for, where “try a run commute” or “create a fun race announcement” are smaller experiences that balance out the bigger events. The key is to balance achievable goals with stretch goals to keep things exciting.
Pro Tip: I like to include more than 25 ideas to add an element of surprise when drawing my squares out of a hat. Any ideas that aren’t selected can be used for the next year.
Step 2: Plan What Goes on the Bingo Card
Once you have a list of potential goals, it’s time to narrow it down to 25 goals (or 24 if you’d like a free space). Here’s how to categorize your goals for a balanced bingo board:
- Small Wins: Simple tasks that build confidence (for example, read for 10 minutes every day for a week). Small wins are a great way to increase your chances of winning or checking off a square so the whole process doesn’t seem as daunting.
- New Adventures: Think about the experiences you’ve said you want to do but have never tried. This could be the accountability to get you started!
- Skill-Building: Focus on skills that challenge you and support your dreams.
- Mindset Shifts: Actions that improve mental well-being (things like writing a gratitude list for one month or taking a meditation class). Things that help you find your motivation!
For an extra creative twist, write all your potential goals on slips of paper, toss them into a hat, and draw them out to place them on the board randomly.
Step 3: Design Your Bingo Card in Canva
Now comes the fun part: designing your bingo card! Canva makes this process easy and enjoyable, even if you’re not a graphic designer. There are a ton of free templates to make it really simple!
Here’s how to create your bingo card:
- Open Canva: Search for “Bingo Template” or start with a blank grid. There are so many great free options! Start with an empty bingo card template.
- Customize the Design: Choose colors, fonts, and a title that reflect your 2026 vibe. This is a way to set your vibe for the new year!
- Add Your Goals: Fill each square with one of your goals. Don’t forget the free space for a spontaneous win, like trying something unexpected.
- Download and Print: Save your bingo card as a PDF or print it to keep it visible throughout the year.
Here’s what I included on my 2024 Bingo Card (also, I should clarify, Squid is my dog).
Step 4: Get Excited for Your 2026 Bingo Card
Your vision board bingo card is ready, but how do you keep the momentum going? Here are some ideas to stay motivated:
- Celebrate Every Win: Each time you cross off a square, reward yourself with something small, like a coffee date or a beauty product
- Share Your Journey: Post updates on social media to inspire others and hold yourself accountable.
- Make It Visible: Frame your bingo card or pin it to your fridge. Seeing it daily will remind you of your goals.
- Plan Check-Ins: Schedule monthly or quarterly reviews to track your progress and adjust as needed.
If you’d like additional support, share your bingo card with friends or family. When I’ve shared mine on social, I’ve had so many friends offer to help me check off my squares or they make their own!
Related Post: Want to create a running adventure card? Check out these tips!
Need 2026 Bingo Card Ideas?
Here are a few ideas I’ve drafted for my 2026 Bingo Card:
- Run a 5K in a costume
- Get a new passport stamp with an international trip
- Host a Clothing Swap Party
- Go to Movies in the Park with the local park district
- Go to a new music venue or see a new band I’ve never seen perform live
- Host an admin night for you and your friends
- Take Squid (our dog) on a road trip
- Travel to a new city for a race, whether it’s a marathon, half marathon or a 10K
Overall, I’m focused on the things I want to experience this year, whether they’ve been long-time goals or fun spontaneous ideas (I usually save these in my notes app to pull my list together for the next one).
Bingo Goal Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to a personal goal bingo card, focus on a variety of ideas that are a mix of easier items and bigger dreams. If you focus on all huge targets, you might get discouraged and not stay focused on finishing the overall goal of getting a bingo.
Writing your goals down as a bingo card is a fun way to track your personal development. Using a bingo card gamifies the process and makes it a little more relaxed!
You can create a traditional bingo card on paper (I’ve included a printable version you can download in this post) or you can design a digital bingo card on Canva. Write your goals on pieces of paper and draw them out of a hat to place them on the game board.
If you want to place your goals manually, try including the easier items on the outer edge and the more challenging ones toward the center.
Overall, a personal goal bingo card is really personal! Focus on experiences you’ve always wanted to try. Look for skills you want to try (garbage journaling or crochet are both on my list). Are there places you want visit? These are all great places to start.
Related Post: This post was the top post of 2025! Read the full list and see if you favorites made the top 10!
Embrace Progress, Not Perfection
The beauty of this approach is that it’s all about progress, not perfection. Whether you fill in a single row or complete the entire card, you’ll end 2026 with a sense of accomplishment.
Grab a pen, open Canva, and start planning your 2026 bingo card today. And don’t forget to share your creations! Tag me on Instagram and I’ll add your goals to my story. I’d love to see how you’re making the new year your own!
What’s one square you’re excited to add to your 2026 bingo card? Let me know in the comments! And when you win at bingo (whatever that means for you), let me know! I’d love to help you celebrate!
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