Using Bingo Dabbers in the Classroom {with a FREEBIE}

I get a lot of questions about how I using bingo dabbers in the classroom and how I introduce them to my students. I start them at the beginning of the year. Just like our other classroom supplies, I teach my students HOW I want them to use the bingo dabbers.

You might call them bingo dobbers, daubers, bingo markers, or dot paints. In my room we call them bingo dabbers. If you've used any of my monthly center packs, you know that I LOVE using them in the classroom!  

Using dabbers makes working so much fun and they get the kids extra excited about learning. They also provide fine motor practice. They are perfect at the beginning of the year for kiddos who are still learning to hold and control their pencil.

I have several different brands of bingo dabbers. Some I have found at Wal-Mart in the party section or at a party store. I have heard some teachers have found them at a dollar store. My favorite brand is the Do-A-Dot Art Markers. They are about $15, but they are so durable, the dabs never soak through the paper, and they last a long, long time.

While many stores sell bingo dabbers, but you can use my affiliate link to grab your own set through Amazon by clicking here.

We also talk about how NOT to use them. We talk about what happens if we push down too hard or leave the dabber on the paper too long. And then, because they are five years old and curious as can be, I show them what happens.

And as our classroom motto goes, now that they know better, I want them to do better. I think it is so important to provide students examples AND non-examples of your expectations.

Click the picture to download this printable for your classroom.

After we've talked about the dabbers, we practice…A LOT. First, I use them in my teacher-led small group stations before I put them in independent centers.Here's some of the activities we do just for fun for practice.

I give them a piece of thick construction paper and they dab. Most of the kids have never used a bingo dabber before so they need to fulfill their curiosity (just like exploring and playing with classroom manipulatives).

By giving them a piece of paper and letting them express their creativity, it helps to fulfill that curiosity. They can dab shapes, a picture, or just random dots. This is so simple and requires no prep, but this is one of their favorite first day of school activities.

We also do a name activity. I cut a 12×18 piece of construction paper horizontally. With a pencil, I lightly write each student's name. This gives them a guideline of where to dab.

In a small group, we use bingo dabbers to dab their name. This is a great activity to help assess the fine motor skills of each child.

As a bonus, they look adorable and so colorful hanging up in the classroom!

Click on the picture below to download the FREEBIE packet to use with your class!

You can check out the “A Dab of Learning” for Back to School packet by click on the picture below.

Or you can save 20% with the YEAR LONG BUNDLE. The bundle has over 300 pages of activities made just for Kindergarten. Skills progress as the year goes on.

Best of all, it's NO PREP! Just print and add bingo dabbers. Click on the picture below to check it out.

Thanks for reading along about using bingo dabbers in the classroom!