New Year’s Resolution Bingo: A Fun Goal-Setting Activity for Online Classes

As we step into 2026 this week, it’s the perfect opportunity to help students set new goals for the new year. Unfortunately, studies have found that only about 9% of people successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions. Around 23% give up within the first week, 43% by the end of January, and a staggering 80% by the end of February.

So instead of simply asking students to write down resolutions, turn it into a fun and interactive activity! Most students already know how to play Bingo, so why not use this game to motivate them to set and accomplish their New Year’s Resolutions!

New Year’s Resolution Bingo encourages students to work towards both big and small goals, while giving them meaningful tasks that stretch their life skills and subject-specific skills. Best of all, it’s easy to adapt for any age group or subject area.

How New Year’s Resolution Bingo Works

Create a standard 5×5 Bingo card template that can be fillable online or printed out. Allow students to choose most of their own goals, with your guidance. You can also provide a list of goals they must choose from, so they end up with a mix of difficulty levels. The middle box is a FREE space; a small win for simply participating and being ready to grow this year.

Depending on what subjects you teach, sprinkle in some fun, subject-specific challenges. For example:

Language teachers: “Hold a 10-minute conversation with someone in the language you’re learning.”
Finance teachers “Track your budget for an entire month using any budgeting tool.”
Science teachers: “Conduct a simple chemistry experiment at home using the scientific method and report your findings.”
Business teachers: “ Write a short pitch for a new business idea you have.”

Just like in traditional Bingo, the goal is to complete a row, column, or diagonal.

Ideas for Resolution Categories

To help students think more broadly about their goals, offer a variety of categories they can draw inspiration from. Here are suggestions you can share with your students or have them brainstorm during a class discussion.

1) Health & Wellness

Drink 6-8 cups of water daily for one week
Stretch for 5 minutes every morning for a month
Take a 20-minute walk once a day for two weeks
Try a new healthy recipe and cook it for your family
Practice meditation three times a week for a month

2) Social Life & Communication

Start a conversation with a new classmate
Call or text a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while
Give a stranger a genuine compliment
Write a letter of appreciation to someone
Attend a new event

3) Education & Learning

Read for 20 minutes daily for a week
Take an online course and summarize what you learned
Learn 3-5 new vocabulary a day in a new language for a month
Attend one extra help session or office hour
Tackle a new skill you’ve been wanting to learn

4) Personal Achievements & Growth

Declutter your study or workspace
Try a new hobby (e.g. crochet, dance, photography)
Set a realistic weekly to-do list and check off every item
Finish a project you’ve been putting off
Do something you’ve been afraid of (e.g. public speaking)

5) Finances & Money Habits

Track all your spendings for a month
Set a small savings goal and reach it
Make a simple weekly budget
Avoid unnecessary spending for a week
Learn about investing and open your first investment account

How to Turn It Into a Friendly Class Competition

A little competition can make New Year’s Resolution Bingo even more engaging. Use a shared Google Sheet or tracking system where students can mark their progress. Have them submit a photo, video, screenshot, or a short reflection as proof of each completed task.