How it works
Cow pie bingo
Mark a field into numbered squares, sell the squares, let a cow wander in, and whoever owns the square where it drops the first pie wins. It's a county fair and school fundraiser classic, and here's how to run one.
Also called cow chip, cow patty or cow plop bingo. General information, not legal advice.
How it works
- The field. A fenced pen or pasture is marked into a grid of numbered squares, usually with chalk, lime or string and stakes.
- The squares. Each square sells once, at a price the organizer sets.
- The cow. Once the squares are sold, a calm cow goes into the field, often with some hay to keep it wandering.
- The winner. The first pie decides it, and the owner of that square wins the prize or a share of the pot.
Settle these before the cow comes in
- On a line. Split the prize, give it to the square with the most, or run it again. Post the rule.
- A time limit. Cows take their time. Decide how long you'll wait and what happens if nothing lands.
- A judge. One person makes the call, from a spot where they can see the whole field.
Look after the cow
Use a calm animal its owner is happy to lend, give it water and shade, keep the crowd outside the fence, and let it settle before the clock starts.
The smaller version: chicken poop bingo
No field? The same game runs with a chicken on a tabletop board. See the chicken poop bingo rules, grab the free printable board in the fundraiser guide, or find a bar near you in where to play chicken shit bingo.
Cow pie bingo questions
What is cow pie bingo?
A fundraiser game played on a field marked into numbered squares. People buy squares, a cow is let into the field, and whoever owns the square where the cow first drops a pie wins.
What else is cow pie bingo called?
Cow chip bingo, cow patty bingo, cow plop and meadow muffin bingo are all names for the same game.
Is cow pie bingo the same as chicken poop bingo?
It's the same idea at a bigger scale. Chicken poop bingo uses a chicken on a tabletop board, usually in a bar; cow pie bingo uses a cow in a fenced field, usually at a fair or fundraiser.
Is cow pie bingo legal?
It depends on the state and who runs it. Because people pay for a chance at a prize, it is usually treated like a raffle, which can require a license, especially for a charity. Check with your state's charitable gaming office.