Whether your bingo dauber just ran out of ink mid-game, you’re looking for a less messy option for kids’ crafts, or you simply want to explore different tools, knowing your bingo dauber alternatives is genuinely useful. There are plenty of substitutes that can work in a pinch — or even better than daubers in certain situations. As we cover in our overview of what bingo daubers are, these markers were purpose-built for bingo, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only option for every task. In fact, depending on your specific needs, what to use instead of bingo daubers might be a tool you already have at home.
In this guide, we’ll break down alternatives for two main categories — playing bingo and doing crafts — and give you an honest comparison of how each substitute stacks up against the original dauber.
Alternatives for Playing Bingo
When you’re playing bingo and don’t have a dauber available, you need a way to mark your numbers clearly and quickly. Here are the best options:
Bingo Chips (Translucent Markers)
Bingo chips are small, flat, translucent plastic discs — usually round and about the size of a quarter — that you place over called numbers on your bingo card. They’re the most popular non-dauber method for marking bingo cards and have been used for decades.
Pros: Bingo chips are completely reusable, create zero mess, and let you see the number underneath through the translucent plastic. They come in various colors, making it easy to color-code multiple cards. They’re also very affordable — a bag of several hundred chips typically costs just a few dollars.
Cons: Chips can slide around on the card if the table gets bumped, which is frustrating during a fast-paced game. They require a flat, stable playing surface. Cleaning up scattered chips after a game is tedious. They also slow down your marking speed compared to a quick dauber dab — an important consideration when playing multiple cards simultaneously.
Chips are best for casual home games, teaching children to play bingo, and situations where you want a reusable, zero-waste option.
Sliding Window Bingo Cards
Sliding window cards (also called shutter cards or fingertip cards) have built-in plastic sliders over each number. When a number is called, you simply slide the window to reveal a colored indicator underneath. No separate marking tool is needed at all.
Pros: Nothing to carry, nothing to lose, nothing to clean up. Sliding cards are self-contained and extremely fast to mark — just push the slider with your finger. They’re reusable indefinitely and eliminate the need for any external marking tool.
Cons: Sliding window cards are significantly more expensive than disposable paper cards. The sliders can sometimes stick or break with heavy use. The cards have fixed number arrangements, so you’re limited to the combinations available in each set. They also lack the satisfying tactile experience and the visual boldness that many players enjoy about daubing.
These cards are excellent for frequent players who want a permanent, no-mess solution, and they’re particularly popular for travel bingo and car games.
Stickers
Small, round stickers can serve as bingo markers in a pinch. Colored dot stickers from office supply stores work well — they’re available in multiple colors and the right size for most bingo cards.
Pros: Stickers stay in place once applied (no sliding around like chips), they’re visible and clear, and they come in many colors. They’re also very inexpensive.
Cons: Applying a sticker is slower than dabbing or placing a chip. You need a supply of stickers for every game, making them a consumable expense. Peeling stickers one at a time while trying to keep up with a caller is cumbersome, especially on multiple cards. They also leave adhesive residue on the cards.
Stickers work best as a novelty or emergency substitute, not as a regular marking method for serious play.
Coins or Buttons
In a pinch, pennies, other small coins, buttons, or small flat objects can cover numbers on a bingo card. This is the ultimate improvised solution when no other markers are available.
Pros: Almost everyone has coins on hand. They’re free (well, pennies are one cent each), reusable, and heavy enough to stay in place on a card.
Cons: Coins are opaque, so you can’t see the number underneath once it’s covered. They can slide and fall off the card easily when bumped. You need a lot of coins for a full game — potentially 24 per card. They also make the card look cluttered and can be confusing during play.
Coins are truly a last-resort option, suitable only for very casual games where speed and clarity aren’t priorities.
Highlighters
Standard desk highlighters can mark bingo card numbers with a fluorescent swipe. The broad chisel tip covers numbers effectively, and the translucent ink still allows you to read the number underneath.
Pros: Highlighters are widely available, inexpensive, and produce a permanent mark that won’t shift or fall off. The translucent color lets you read numbers through the mark, similar to a dauber. They’re also very fast to use — a quick swipe is nearly as fast as a dab.
Cons: Highlighter marks are not as bold or visible from a distance as dauber dots, which matters when a caller or neighbor needs to verify your card. The mark shape (a rectangular swipe) looks different from the expected round dot. Some bingo halls may not accept highlighted cards because the marks are harder for callers to verify quickly. Highlighters also dry out faster than sealed daubers.
Highlighters are a solid home-game alternative and a good emergency substitute at a hall if your dauber runs out. You can learn more about proper dauber technique in our guide on how to use bingo daubers to understand what you’re trying to replicate.
Crayons
A crayon can mark bingo numbers with a simple X, circle, or colored-over area. Children especially may prefer crayons because they’re familiar and easy to handle.
Pros: Crayons are extremely cheap, safe for all ages, available in many colors, and most households already have them. They produce a permanent, visible mark on paper.
Cons: Marking with a crayon is significantly slower than daubing. Drawing an X or circle for each number takes more time and fine motor effort than a quick dab. The marks are less uniform and less visible than dauber dots. Crayons also require more pressure, which can tear thin bingo paper.
Crayons are best for children’s bingo games where speed isn’t a factor and the familiar tool helps kids participate comfortably.
Alternatives for Crafts and Art Projects
Bingo daubers have become popular craft tools, especially for children’s art and educational activities. If you need alternatives for creative projects, these options deliver different but equally valid results:
Dot Markers (Do-A-Dot Markers)
Dot markers are essentially the craft-specific cousin of bingo daubers. Brands like Do-A-Dot Art! make markers specifically designed for children’s art projects, with non-toxic, washable ink and chunky, child-friendly bodies.
Pros: Dot markers are specifically engineered for crafting, with washable formulas that are even easier to clean up than standard bingo dauber ink. They come in curated color sets, often with educational packaging. Many are specifically tested and certified safe for young children. The ink quality and consistency are optimized for paper art.
Cons: Dot markers typically cost more per unit than bingo daubers. The color selection may be more limited than the wide range available in bingo daubers. Functionally, they’re very similar to daubers — if you already have daubers, buying dot markers is somewhat redundant.
Dot markers are the best alternative when you want a dauber-like tool specifically optimized for children’s art activities.
Cotton Swabs with Paint
Dipping cotton swabs (Q-tips) in tempera or acrylic paint creates small dots similar to — though much smaller than — bingo dauber marks. This is a classic preschool art technique that’s been used in classrooms for generations.
Pros: Cotton swabs are extremely cheap and available everywhere. You can use any paint color, giving you virtually unlimited color options. The technique teaches children different motor skills than daubing. The smaller dot size allows for more detailed artwork.
Cons: The dots are much smaller than dauber dots, so covering large areas takes much longer. Cotton swabs absorb a lot of paint and need to be re-dipped frequently. They also produce less consistent dots — the cotton fibers can leave a textured, uneven mark. The setup and cleanup of paint trays is messier and more time-consuming than simply uncapping a dauber.
Cork Stamps
Wine corks or craft corks dipped in paint create round stamped circles on paper. You can also cut corks into different shapes for variety. This is a popular eco-friendly craft technique that repurposes materials you might otherwise throw away.
Pros: Free if you have corks on hand. Creates satisfyingly round stamps similar to dauber dots. Corks can be cut into shapes like hearts, stars, or triangles for variety. It’s a great upcycling project. Cork stamps also produce a unique, slightly textured print that has artistic appeal.
Cons: Requires paint and a paint tray, adding setup and cleanup time. Cork stamps need to be re-dipped in paint for each stamp. The prints can be inconsistent if the cork surface isn’t perfectly flat. The activity is messier than using a self-contained dauber. You’re also limited to the diameter of available corks, with less control over dot size.
Finger Paint
For the youngest artists, finger paint delivers a similar dots-and-color experience to bingo daubers without any tool at all. Children can use their fingertips to create dots, or use their whole hands for broader exploration.
Pros: Maximum sensory engagement for young children. No tools to hold, which is great for children still developing grip strength. Finger paint is specifically formulated to be safe and washable. It encourages creative expression without the constraints of a tool.
Cons: Significantly messier than daubers. Requires more cleanup of hands, surfaces, and often clothing. The dots and marks are less consistent and precise. Not all children enjoy the sensory experience of paint on their hands. Finger paint also requires a paint tray or plate for dispensing.
Sponge Daubers
Craft sponge daubers or sponge-tip applicators are available at art supply stores. These are round sponges attached to handles, designed specifically for stamping and daubing techniques in various art applications.
Pros: Available in multiple sizes for different dot dimensions. Reusable with different paints and inks. They produce a texture similar to bingo daubers. Professional-grade sponge daubers are used in scrapbooking, card making, and mixed media art.
Cons: Require separate paint or ink, adding cost and complexity. Need to be cleaned between color changes. Not self-contained like a bingo dauber. More suitable for older children and adult crafters than for toddlers and preschoolers.
When Each Alternative Works Best
Choosing the right alternative depends entirely on your specific situation:
- For serious bingo play: Bingo chips or sliding window cards are your best non-dauber options. Chips for casual play, sliding cards for frequent players.
- For children’s bingo: Crayons or stickers work well because speed isn’t critical and kids enjoy using familiar tools.
- For preschool crafts: Dot markers (Do-A-Dot) are the closest substitute with the least mess. Cotton swabs with paint are the cheapest option.
- For school worksheets: Dot markers or crayons work best because they’re simple and child-safe with minimal cleanup.
- For adult crafts: Sponge daubers with quality inks give the most professional results and offer the most versatility.
- For emergency bingo marking: Highlighters are the fastest and most practical dauber substitute that most people already own.
Why Bingo Daubers Are Still the Best Option for Most Uses
After exploring all these alternatives, it’s worth acknowledging that bingo daubers remain the best tool for their intended purpose — and for many craft applications as well. Here’s why:
- Speed: Nothing matches the quick dab-and-go speed of a bingo dauber for marking numbers during play.
- Self-contained: No external paint, ink trays, or separate supplies needed. Everything is in one sealed unit.
- Consistent marks: Every dab produces a uniform, round, clearly visible dot.
- Affordability: Daubers are extremely inexpensive, especially when bought in bulk. Most alternatives cost more per use or require additional supplies.
- Color range: With dozens of colors available, including glitter and neon options, daubers offer variety that most alternatives can’t match.
- Child-friendly design: The chunky barrel is perfectly sized for small hands, requiring no fine motor skills.
- Low mess: Compared to paint-based alternatives, a sealed dauber creates much less mess and requires virtually no cleanup.
If you’re looking to purchase bingo daubers, they’re widely available both online and in stores, and their combination of convenience, affordability, and versatility is genuinely hard to beat. Most alternatives work in a pinch, but for regular bingo play or frequent dot-art activities, investing in a set of quality daubers is almost always the smarter choice. To learn more about these versatile tools and everything they can do, visit our complete guide to what bingo daubers are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best substitute for bingo daubers when playing bingo?
For actual bingo play, translucent bingo chips are the best non-dauber alternative. They’re reusable, let you see the numbers underneath, and are very affordable. For a more permanent marking method, highlighters are the best option — they’re fast, visible through the mark, and widely available. However, neither option matches the speed and satisfying simplicity of a proper bingo dauber.
Can I use regular markers instead of bingo daubers for kids’ crafts?
Regular markers can work for some craft activities, but they don’t produce the same bold, round dot that makes dauber-based worksheets effective. For dot art activities, Do-A-Dot markers are the closest substitute. For general coloring and marking activities that don’t require specific dot placement, any washable marker will work fine. The key advantage of daubers for crafts is their simplicity — one press creates a perfect circle, which is ideal for children still developing fine motor skills.
Are Do-A-Dot markers the same as bingo daubers?
Do-A-Dot markers and bingo daubers are very similar but not identical. Both use a foam-tipped applicator with liquid ink inside a barrel. The main differences are that Do-A-Dot markers are specifically formulated with washable, child-safe ink and are marketed as art supplies, while bingo daubers are primarily designed for marking bingo cards. Do-A-Dot markers typically cost more per unit and come in curated color sets with educational packaging. For practical purposes, they’re largely interchangeable.
Can I use bingo chips on paper bingo cards?
Yes, bingo chips work on paper cards, but they work best on flat, stable surfaces. The chips simply sit on top of the paper covering the called numbers. The downside is that chips can slide off if the table is bumped, and you can’t pick up and save a paper card mid-game the way you can with daubed cards. Chips are better suited for reusable cardstock or laminated bingo cards that you’ll use repeatedly.
What household items can I use as a bingo dauber in an emergency?
In a pinch, a highlighter is the most practical household substitute — it marks quickly, lets you see the number through the mark, and most people have one in a desk drawer. Other options include a crayon (mark an X over called numbers), a pencil or pen (circle or cross out numbers), or even small coins placed over numbers. For craft daubing, a pencil eraser dipped in paint creates small dots, and a finger dipped in washable paint creates larger ones.
