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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Rhyme Time – Match-Up Activity
A set of 32 match-up cards for students to practise rhyming.
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Python Patterns – Match-Up Activity
An activity for students to consolidate copying and creating patterns.
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Rhyming Odd One Out Activity Mats
Use this Rhyming Odd One Out activity to support students phonemic awareness.
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Subjective vs Objective Language Matching Game
Teach subjective vs objective language with this hands-on matching game designed to help students identify facts and feelings in sentences.
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Alphabet Picture and Letter Cards
Practise letter recognition and letter sounds with this set of alphabet letter and picture cards.
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Similes Matching Game
Use this similes game to introduce your students to some of the most common similes used in the English language.
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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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Number Match-Up Activity (1-10)
Use this match-up activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of numbers to 10.
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Topic Sentence Examples Matching Game
Use these authentic topic sentence examples to teach your students how to write engaging and varied topic sentences that suit their purpose.
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Fact Family Arrays Match-Up Game
Play this fact family arrays matching game with your students to give them practice identifying multiplication and division fact families.
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Games for Rounding — 'Rounding Match-Up'
Explore games for rounding your students will love, like this 'Rounding Match-Up' activity!
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Numbers 1–20 Peg Cards
Facilitate counting practise with this set of multisensory peg cards.
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Perimeter Matching Game
Have students explore the perimeter of composite figures with this matching game perfect for collaborative learning.
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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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Alphabet Letter Match
A fun match-up activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of uppercase and lowercase letters.
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Alphabet Order Activity
A fun match-up activity to help teach children the alphabet, letters and sounds.
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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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Sock Letter Matching Activity
Match socks together for a great letter matching activity where the lowercase letter, uppercase letter and beginning sounds are matched.
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Unit Fraction Match Task Cards
Explore unit fractions with your students using this unit fraction match template that can be used for a variety of classroom activities.
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Telling Time Puzzles – Hour and Half-Hour Times
Practise reading analogue clocks, digital clocks and time in word form with a set of printable time puzzles.
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Present and Past Tense Regular Verbs Matchup Cards
Learn about simple present tense and simple past tense of regular verbs with this match up activity.
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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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Colour by Fraction Worksheet Pack
Help students understand different types of simple fractions in shapes with this set of unit fraction worksheets.
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What Does the Clock Say? - Telling the Time Game
Solve the math riddles and read analogue clocks with a fun Time to 5 Minute Telling Time Game.
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Modal Language Matching Activity
Have students explore high modality and low modality language with this matching game to use during your persuasive writing unit.
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Baby Animal Matching Game - Memory
Play a Baby Animal Matching Game for kids to learn about animals and their young.
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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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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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Open and Closed Syllables Match Up Activity
Practise identifying open and closed syllables with a rainbow-themed matching 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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Fix the Punctuation Activity
A cut and match activity to help your students correctly punctuate sentences.
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Money Match-Up Activity (Australian Currency)
An activity to help students recognise Australian coins and their combined amounts.