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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Letter Match - Christmas Memory Game
Strengthen letter recognition skills and keep your classroom buzzing with festive excitement using this hands-on Christmas memory game designed for kindergarten and early years students.
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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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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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It's a Match! – Rounding With Decimals Puzzle
Practise rounding decimals up to the thousandths place with 34 puzzle pair matching pieces.
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Think It or Say It? - Sorting Activity
Teach students about using a filter when speaking with others.
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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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Evaluating Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Practise substituting values for variables while evaluating expressions with this match-up activity.
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Writing Equations – Match Up Activity
Practise matching word sentences to equations with variables with this 36-card match-up activity.
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Exponential Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Match numerical expressions with exponents to their expanded expressions and solutions with this match-up activity.
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Dictionary Definitions Match Up Game
A set of 20 word cards for students to match to their definition.
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Numbers to 99 - Number Line Matching Activity
Practice locating numbers on a number line with a fun matching 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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Map Symbols Match-Up Activity
Practise identifying the symbols found on a map with a map symbol matching 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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Counting Objects Parking Lot - Numbers 1-10
Count objects and recognise numbers with a fun car-themed match-up style game.
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Valentine's Day - Number Form Match-Up
Identify three-digit numbers in standard form, word form, expanded form, and in MAB form with a printable Valentine’s Day Maths activity.
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Percent of a Number Match-Up Activity
Practise how to find the percent of a number with this match-up activity.
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Easter Egg Rhyming Word Puzzles
Have some Easter fun with this Easter Egg rhyming word game for early years.
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Random Pair Generator Cards
Use these printable partner cards as a randomized pair generator when grouping students in the classroom.
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Rhyming Snowmen - Match-Up Activity
Bring a bit of snow into the classroom with a winter-themed rhyming word game for early years students.
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Rounding Numbers – Match-up Activity
Practise rounding decimals and whole numbers with this match-up 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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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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Elements of a Map Match-up Activity
Use knowledge of the features of a map with this map element matching game.
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Traits of Good Citizens - Match-Up Activity
Identify and match characteristics of good citizens with this vocabulary-building activity.
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Missing Digit Multiplication - Interactive Activity
Encourage critical thinking with this missing digit multiplication activity.
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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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Letter Match-Up Cards
A set of upper and lowercase letter cards.
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Read Along Pocket Chart Cards – Dr. Mae Jemison
A set of pocket chart cards to use for reading and sight word practice.
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Collective Nouns Match Up Activity - Objects and People
A pack of 32 cards to use when learning about collective nouns.