Deal or No Deal? Black Friday Bingo is Here!

Written By Carla Engelbrecht

⏰ DOORBUSTER DEAL: All readers SAVE 100% on advertising literacy! No purchase necessary. Unlimited stock available.

It’s that time of year! It’s that time of year when ads go big, bold, and borderline ridiculous. In 2024, I’ve tackled Super Bowl ads, exposed the pranks of April Fools campaigns, and now I’m completing the trilogy with the grand finale of marketing mayhem: Black Friday!"

Black Friday & Advertising Literacy

The ads are unavoidable. The deals are everywhere, even weeks before. Which means the opportunities to talk advertising literacy are endless.

Play Black Friday Bingo and explore common advertising tactics to grab attention, create urgency, and persuade customers. Understanding how ads work helps kids and teens navigate a world filled with constant sales pitches—and it’s a skill that grows with practice, together as a family.

Bingo! You've Been Marketed To!

Use this card we created or brainstorm your own for extra points. You can play online or while out and about (or both). It’s probably wise to decide if you’re playing cooperatively (recommended) or each completing your own, in which case you might want a rule that the first person to spot a sign gets the spot.

Conversation Starters

As you play, ask questions like

  • Why do you think we see this tactic/phrase so often?

  • Did any ad make you want to buy something? Is it something you thought you wanted or needed before seeing the ad?

  • How does understanding these tactics change the way you see holiday sales?

  • What tactics create urgency? (Countdown timers, limited stock warnings, flash sales)

  • Where do we see social influence come into play? (Celebrity/influencer endorsements, testimonials/reviews)

  • What tactics could influence our sense of the price or create a feel of a deal? (Up to X% off, bundle deals, only 10 at this price)

  • How do ads create a sense of exclusivity? (Member-only, early access, VIP, limited editions)

  • What ad stood out most—was it clever, surprising, or just plain sneaky?

  • What makes a deal actually good?

Why This Activity Matters

Black Friday Bingo builds awareness of advertising techniques, online and in person. Kids and teens learn to spot emotional triggers like FOMO (fear of missing out) or urgency, helping them develop critical thinking skills and make thoughtful decisions about purchases. Beyond critical thinking, this activity fosters financial literacy, teaching kids to assess whether deals are worth it, and media literacy, helping them navigate persuasive content more confidently.

Bonus: Explore the history of Black Friday, which isn’t so full of holiday cheer. (History.com, HuffPost, Mental Floss)

Resources

The goal isn’t to avoid ads or sales or shopping—it’s to become smarter, more intentional consumers. Because when you understand the game, you’re less likely to get played.

About Betweened

Betweened provides expert resources and activities to help families build mindful, creative technology habits. Our goal is to support parents in raising informed and resilient digital citizens. More resources, community, and materials are available at btwnd.com.

Dr. Carla Engelbrecht is a highly-selective mom, product leader, and internationally recognized expert on children’s education and entertainment technology. As founder of Betweened, she leans on her 25 years with Netflix, Sesame Street, and PBS Kids as well as her doctorate in education to provide actionable, practical guidance for parents. She's also a mom, backpacker, and mindfulness teacher.


Carla Engelbrecht
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