Matching Games for Teachers
Explore matching games for kids created by teachers to play in maths class, English rotations and more! Get students excited about learning with fun games designed to help them increase their attention to detail and classify objects.
This collection of printable and digital games was created by the expert teachers on the Teach Starter team with kids (and teachers) in mind. It includes curriculum-aligned activities designed to promote active learning and primary student participation, helping them improve their ability to find similarities and differences in objects.
Haven't used a matching in your classroom and want to know more? Or maybe you just want some fresh ideas for your classroom. Either way, read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is a Matching Game?
Sometimes referred to as a memory game, matching games typically consist of a set of cards or tiles that are laid out face down. The objective of the game is to find pairs by turning over two cards at a time until all matches have been made.
This fun game concept has been used in classrooms for years, based on the concept of memory or concentration games, which have roots dating back to the 19th century.
Of course, the games have evolved over time! The traditional format has been transformed into interactive digital versions, and you'll find matching games right here on Teach Starter that students can play online on their tablets or classroom computer!
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Friends of 20 – Addition Match-up Cards
A match-up activity exploring friends of twenty.
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Time Machine Match-Up Activity
A fun sorting activity that consolidates knowledge of time to the hour, half-hour and to the quarter-hour.
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Multiple Meaning Match-Up Cards (Black and White Version)
16 match-up puzzles to use in the classroom when identifying homonyms.
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Alphabet Matching Caterpillar Activity
A vibrant and fun activity to teach lower case and upper case to young children.
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Software and Hardware Match-Up Activity
Consolidate students’ understanding of various software and hardware with this word and image match-up activity.
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Human Rights Match-Up Activity
A match-up activity to consolidate the students' knowledge of how human rights affect their own lives.
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Alphabet Matching Activity
A great matching activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of the alphabet, letters and sounds.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 4)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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Shape Match-Up Activity
Use this shape sorting activity to assist your students when learning about different shapes.
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Numbers 1–20 Peg Cards
Facilitate counting practise with this set of multisensory peg cards.
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Contractions Cupcake Matching Activity
Practise matching contractions with their words using this fun cupcake match-up.
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Counting to 10 Match-Up Activity
Practise counting to 10 with this set of twenty object and number matching cards.
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Decomposing Fractions Matching Game
Get your students decomposing fractions with this fun matching game for maths groups!
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Numbers 1-10 Bug Matching Game
Help students learn to represent numbers 1-10 in picture, word and number form.
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Animals and Their Babies Memory Game
Play an animal game for kids to learn about animals and their babies.
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Converting Fractions and Decimals Match-Up Activity
Have students practise how to convert a fraction to a decimal with this match-up activity perfect for maths rotations.
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Multiplication With Equal Groups Matching Activity
Reinforce how to relate multiplication and equal groups with this printable matching activity.
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Informational Text Features: Match It Up!
Download this informational text features game to teach primary school students about the common text features of informational texts.
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Fact Families Maths Group Activity
Use this hands-on addition and subtraction strategy activity in your next guided math group lesson!
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Area of a Parallelogram – Match-Up Activity
Calculate the area of parallelograms and match them with their corresponding areas with this match-up activity.
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Chick Counting Activity - Numbers 1-20
Practise recognising, counting and subitising numbers from 1-20 with this Easter-themed counting activity.
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Consonant Digraphs Match-Up Activity
Complete words using the correct consonant digraph with this set of match-up cards.
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Magic E Words - Match-Up Activity
Explore words containing long vowel sounds created by the magic e.
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Building Sundaes with Vowel Teams (OA, OW, OE and EY)
Decode words with OA, OW, OE and EY long vowel teams by crafting cute desserts!
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Building Sundaes with Vowel Teams (AI, AY, EE and EA)
Decode words with ay, ai, ea and ee long vowel teams by crafting cute desserts!
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Missing Digit Multiplication - Interactive Activity
Encourage critical thinking with this missing digit multiplication activity.
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Subitising Game — Memory
Use this subitising game to help your students learn to quickly subitise numbers 1 - 12.
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What Toy Am I? - Toy Definition Match Up Game
A set of 20 puzzle cards for students to match pictures of toys to their definition.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 2)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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Money Match-Up Game (New Zealand Currency)
A set of six cards to be matched up for each note and coin in New Zealand currency.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 1)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 3)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.