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!
- Plus Plan
Rounding Numbers – Match-up Activity
Practise rounding decimals and whole numbers with this match-up activity.
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Building Sundaes with Consonant Digraphs
Identify initial and final consonant digraphs with this set of 4 yummy digraph sundaes.
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Numbers 1-12 Frog Catching Flies Activity
A hands-on activity where children consolidate their knowledge of numbers 1-12.
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Compound Words – Match-Up Activity
Build your students knowledge of compound words with this hands-on matching activity.
- Free Plan
Onset and Rime Match-Up Activity
Practise building words by matching the onset and the rime using this match up activity.
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Rhyme Time – Match-Up Activity
A set of 32 match-up cards for students to practise rhyming.
- Free Plan
Monster Multiplication Match-Up (2-digit by 1-digit)
A match-up activity to practise multiplying a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number.
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Collective Nouns Match Up Activity - Objects and People
A pack of 32 cards to use when learning about collective nouns.
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Musical Instruments and Their Families Cards
A set of 48 cards for students to match musical instruments with the family of the orchestra to which they belong.
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Rainbow Facts - Addition Match Up Cards
A bright and fun game to play in the classroom when learning the Friends of Ten and Rainbow Facts.
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Onset and Rime Sandcastle Matching Activity
Match up the onset, rime and picture in this activity to create sandcastles.
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Make a Pizza Counting Game
Use this pizza-themed counting game to get your students matching numerals with their corresponding quantities.
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Ten Frame Matching Game
Use this ten frame game to strengthen your students’ number sense and foundational maths skills.
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Snowball Onset and Rime Puzzle
Enhance your phonics lessons with a set of snowball-themed onset and rime puzzles.
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Past, Present, and Future Verb Tense Matching Activity - Regular Verbs
Practise using past, present, and future tenses of regular verbs with a butterfly matching activity.
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Building Compound Words - Puzzles
Practise building compound words with this set of 20 puzzles, each with three pieces—two smaller words and the compound word they form.
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Compound Words - Noun Puzzle Pops Match-Up
‘Pop’ in a bit of extra practise with compound words with a fun set of Compound Word Puzzle Pops!
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Multiplying Decimals Match-Up Activity
Get students multiplying decimals with this engaging card game, perfect for maths groups.
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Heat Energy Vocabulary Match Up Activity
Explore different heat energy vocabulary words with this definition and word match-up activity.
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Positive Self Talk Match-Up
Teach your students how positive self talk in challenging situations can boost self-esteem with this match-up activity.
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Estimation With Decimal Multiplication Matching Game
Guide your students to estimate products with decimals by using this 36-card matching game.
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Responding With Empathy Matching Activity
Guide your students to identify emotions in others and select appropriate ways to respond with empathy with this matching activity.
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Beginning Sound Sort - Apple Edition
Practise letter-sound correspondence with this apple-themed letter/sound match-up center activity.
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Pumpkin Puzzles - Initial Sounds Matching Game
Pick up letter-sound correspondence with a pumpkin picture puzzle matching activity.
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Owls Round, TOO Matching Game
Practise rounding through to the nearest hundred thousands place with our set of 36 whole number rounding match-up cards.
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Syllable Puzzles - Apple Matching Game
Practise segmenting, blending, and identifying types of syllables in words with a set of apple-themed puzzles.
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Adding within 1000 Bar Model Match Up Activity
Practise using the bar diagram to add numbers within 1000 with this match up activity.
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Area of a Triangle – Match-Up Activity
Calculate the area of triangle figures and match them with their corresponding areas with this match-up activity.
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Evaluating Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Practise substituting values for variables while evaluating expressions with this match-up activity.
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Egg-cellent Easter Addition Activity
Practise simple addition with this Easter-themed addition match-up activity.
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Number, Word and MABs Matching - Clovers
Practise place value of 2-digit numbers with this clover-themed puzzle.
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Unit Fraction & Whole Number Division Models – Match-Up Activity
Practise how to divide a unit fraction by a whole number and divide a whole number by a unit fraction with this match-up activity.