Halloween Music Bingo: A Fun and Easy October Music Lesson

classroom ideas halloween listening music games

Turn spooky songs into a listening game your students will love.

October brings an energy all of its own to the music classroom. Between the costumes, candy, and excitement of Halloween, it can be tricky to keep students focused while still embracing the seasonal fun. That's where Halloween Music Bingo becomes your secret weapon.

This simple yet powerful activity combines student engagement with music learning goals, turning spooky songs into an opportunity to sharpen listening skills, explore musical elements, and enjoy a break from routine – all while giving you a no-prep, classroom-ready resource.

Whether you teach upper elementary, middle, or high school, you'll love how easy Halloween Bingo is to run – and your students will be begging to play again!

Why Use Halloween Music Bingo in the Music Classroom?

Let's face it – October can be chaotic.

There are field trips, costume parades, fire drills, and fluctuating focus levels. Halloween Music Bingo helps bring structure to the season while still delivering joy.

Here's why it works so well:

It's educational – Students must actively listen and connect what they hear to what's on their card.
It strengthens aural recognition – From instrument sounds to genre traits and song structure.
It encourages class participation – Everyone listens, everyone plays.
It's adaptable – Great for different grade levels, lesson lengths, or classroom setups.
It brings the festive spirit – All the spooky vibes with none of the sugar highs!

Music Bingo is also a wonderful way to reward students for great behavior or to finish off a unit. It's educational fun disguised as a party.

What's Included in the Halloween Music Bingo Resource?

I've created two versions of Halloween Music Bingo to suit a range of year levels and teaching styles:

For Younger Students (Grades 3–5):

A 3x3 bingo grid – Perfect for shorter attention spans and simple listening goals.
Spooky but age-appropriate songs – Nothing too scary or with questionable lyrics.
Works well as a guided whole-class game or in small groups.

For Older Students (Grades 5–8+):

A 5x5 bingo grid – Ideal for more complex listening challenges.
50 unique, numbered cards – So you can quickly identify duplicates or manage class sets.
A mix of instrumental, pop, rock, and Halloween-themed tracks that appeal to older kids.

Both sets include:

A teacher song sheet – So you can mark off songs as you play them.
A ready-made Spotify playlist – Just hit play and go.
Full instructions and tips for smooth classroom delivery.

Whether you're planning ahead for Halloween week or need a last-minute plan, everything is classroom-tested and ready to go — no prep required.

Learning Outcomes: Not Just Fun and Games

Halloween Bingo isn't just a "fun filler." It meets real educational goals, especially when you add in a few smart teaching tweaks.

Here's what your students will be practising:

Listening and musical memory
Identifying musical elements
Vocabulary and discussion
Critical thinking

You can also encourage reflection by asking students to describe their favourite song after the game or to write a short review using musical terms.

For a structured and student-friendly way to do this, try using my Digital Music Journal – it's a ready-to-use Google Slides resource where students can reflect on what they heard, describe musical elements, and even rate their favourite tracks. It's a great follow-up activity that turns a fun game into deeper learning.

How to Play Halloween Music Bingo in Class

Classic Bingo – Play a song clip, and students mark it off if it's on their card. First one to get 3 in a row (or 5 for older groups) calls out "Bingo!"
Team Challenge – Play in pairs or teams. Teams work together to listen and find the correct songs.
Reverse or Silent Bingo – Instead of calling out the name, play the music – students have to match it by ear. This really challenges aural memory.
Movement Version – Add a simple movement cue for each song. e.g., "stand up and freeze like a ghost when you hear Monster Mash." Builds energy and physical engagement.

Pro Tips for Teachers

Use the numbered cards to quickly assign and track duplicates.
Let students take turns being the DJ.
Keep small prizes handy – stickers, stamps, or a bonus game token.
Time running short? Play just until three songs in a row are called out.

This is also a fantastic activity to leave for substitute teachers – it requires no music background to run, but still aligns with curriculum goals.

Print-Friendly and Easy to Use

Halloween Music Bingo was designed with busy music teachers in mind – no apps, logins, or complicated tech required.

Simply print the cards and hand them out to students.
Cards are numbered, making it easy to track duplicates or assign specific ones.
You can laminate them for reuse, or print new sets each year.
A teacher song checklist is included so you can easily keep track of what you've played.

All you need is access to a speaker and the Spotify playlist (linked in the resource), and you're ready to go.

Bonus Use: Halloween Sub Plans Made Easy

Got PD? Feeling under the weather? Need a backup plan?

This Halloween Bingo set is perfect for sub days.

Ready to go
Fun for students
Flexible for any substitute
Low stress for you

Where to Get Halloween Music Bingo

Ready to bring some spooky structure into your October lessons?

You can download Halloween Music Bingo for both younger and older students HERE

Each set includes:

3x3 or 5x5 bingo cards
Spotify playlist
Teacher checklist sheet
Game instructions
Print-friendly format – no tech required!

Extend the Learning with the Digital Music Journal

Keep the momentum going after Halloween Bingo!

Encourage students to reflect, respond, and build their music vocabulary with the Digital Music Journal – the perfect listening companion for any music activity.

Google Slides format
Includes vocabulary prompts
Easy to assign or print
Perfect for sub plans, distance learning, and music literacy practice

Final Thought

October doesn't have to be chaotic. With Halloween Music Bingo, you can ride the wave of seasonal energy while still meeting your music teaching goals.

You'll love how easy it is to set up – and your students will love every minute of spooky, musical fun.

Click here to download and get started!

Trick or treat yourself to a better music lesson this Halloween!

Would you like more music teaching strategies? Check out these related posts to keep your lessons fresh and interactive!

Blog Post: Best Warm-Up Routines for the Music Classroom

Blog Post: Benefits of Body Percussion Activities

Blog Post: Music Trivia Showdown

Blog Post: Musical Elements in Peter and the Wolf