Disclosure: WorthSnag is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t hands-on tested these products. This guide is based on my research into manufacturer specs and listings.
Large print bingo cards for low vision are bingo cards with oversized, high-contrast numbers (usually three-quarters of an inch to two inches tall) that players can read without straining. Some also add built-in sliding markers so players don’t need chips, and some use braille or raised numbers for players who can’t see the card at all. The right card depends on how much vision the player has left, and on whether anyone is also calling the numbers.
I went through the listings for the main large print bingo cards and sets available to buy, and these five cover the situations I’d expect most families and activity directors to run into. Prices are what I saw at MaxiAids when I checked, so confirm before you buy.
The 5 Best Large Print Bingo Cards and Sets for Low Vision
1. MaxiAids EZ to Read Bingo Cards, Set of 25: Best for a Group
- Price: About $19.95 for 25 cards
- Numbers: Black, about three-quarters of an inch tall, on white and outlined in red
- Best for: Senior centers, family game nights, and anyone who needs readable numbers without paying much per card
This is the practical pick for a room of mixed vision levels. The cost works out to less than a dollar a card, and the black-on-white contrast is the safest starting point for most people with low vision. The numbers are bigger than a standard card but not huge, so if someone in your group struggles with this size, move to pick #2.
The catch: Players still need chips or markers, which aren’t part of this listing.
2. Reizen Giant Print Laminated Bingo Card (11 x 17 in.): Best for Severe Low Vision
- Price: About $5.95 per card
- Numbers: Two inches tall, according to the listing
- Best for: Players who can’t read standard large print, even up close
At 11 by 17 inches, this card is meant to be read on a table or a lap tray, and the lamination lets it take a fair amount of handling. It comes in several color schemes, including black on white and black on yellow, which helps if one background reads better than another for the player.
The catch: It’s priced per card, so outfitting a whole group gets expensive, and it’s big enough that you’ll want a table with real space.
3. MaxiAids Jumbo Bingo Card with Fingertip Shutter Slide: Best for No Chips
- Price: About $5.79 for one card, or $99.95 for a 20-pack
- Numbers: Three-quarters of an inch tall, bold black on white, on an 8 x 9 inch card
- Best for: Players with limited dexterity or low vision who lose chips off the card
Each number sits behind a transparent red slide that the player pushes over it with a fingertip. That means no chips to drop, hunt for, or knock off the table, and the card also makes it easy to see at a glance what’s already been called. The cards are listed as five-ply stock, and the maker calls the slides jam-proof (that’s the manufacturer’s description, and I haven’t verified it).
The catch: The 20-pack costs a lot. It makes the most sense for a program that will use the cards for years, or as a single card for one player who benefits most.
4. MaxiAids Deluxe Bingo Cage, 8-Inch: Best for the Caller
- Price: About $69.95, plus about $10 shipping
- What’s included: 85 balls with embossed (raised) numbers, 75 markers, 30 bingo cards, and a master tally board
- Best for: A family or group that wants a real bingo setup with a caller who may also have low vision
The cage picks one number at a time automatically, and the raised numbers on the balls mean the person calling can read them by touch if they can’t see them well. That solves a problem people forget about. The caller needs to read the numbers too.
The catch: The listing doesn’t say whether the ball numbers are also large print, so someone relying on sight should confirm that first. The cards in the kit are standard cards, not large print, so you’d likely pair the cage with cards from #1 to #3.
5. MaxiAids Braille Plastic Bingo Boards: Best for Blind Players
- Price: About $12.95 for one board, or $123 for a set of 10
- Details: Boards measure 8¼ by 8¼ inches, with braille and raised black numbers, and the listing says markers are included
- Best for: Players who can’t see the card and read by touch
These are the only boards in this list designed for blind players. The raised numbers and braille let a player find and mark their own numbers instead of relying on someone else to read the card to them. The plastic boards should also hold up better than paper over repeated games.
The catch: They only help players who read braille or can feel raised numbers well, and the listing doesn’t say how many markers come with each board.
How to Choose the Right Bingo Cards for Low Vision
Start with the number size, not the price. If a player squints at a three-quarter-inch number, a cheaper card won’t get used. Two-inch numbers (pick #2) cost more per card but make the game possible for players with more advanced vision loss.
Think about the markers. Loose chips are the biggest frustration for many players with low vision or arthritis. The shutter-slide card (#3) removes that problem, but it costs more.
Plan for the caller. If the caller can’t read small print, a cage with raised numbers (#4) is easier than calling from a paper list.
Match the lighting and background. The APH ConnectCenter’s cards and games guide recommends good lighting, a contrasting background under the game pieces, and large print or braille versions. The same advice applies to bingo, even though that page doesn’t have a bingo section.
Mix card types in one group. You don’t need everyone on the same card. Players with different vision can share a game if the caller reads each number aloud.
If your group plays other games as well, our guide to large print playing cards and games and the one on large dominoes for seniors have more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should bingo card numbers be for low vision?
Many people with mild low vision do well with numbers about three-quarters of an inch tall in high contrast, such as black on white. People with more significant vision loss may need numbers closer to two inches. The best size depends on the person’s vision, so it helps to try a larger size if smaller numbers cause strain.
Are there bingo cards for blind players?
Yes. Braille bingo boards have braille and raised numbers so a player can find and mark numbers by touch. Some bingo balls also have raised numbers so a caller who can’t see well can read them by feel.
What is a shutter-slide bingo card?
A shutter-slide bingo card has built-in sliding covers over each number. The player slides a cover over a number when it’s called, so no chips or daubers are needed. This can be easier for people with limited hand strength or dexterity.
Can people with low vision play bingo with standard cards?
Some can, with good lighting and contrast, but many find standard numbers too small. Large print cards, shutter-slide cards, or braille boards can make the game easier and more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
For most groups, the 25-card set of EZ to Read cards is the simplest place to start, and the giant two-inch card is the upgrade for players who still can’t read it. If chips are the problem, try a shutter-slide card, and if someone is calling, consider the cage with raised-number balls. For blind players, the braille boards are the only option here built to be played independently.
Prices and specifications can change, so check the current listing before you order.