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

Exponential Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Match numerical expressions with exponents to their expanded expressions and solutions with this match-up activity.
- Free Plan

What is an Affix? Suffix Puzzle Pack
Practice building, reading, and understanding the meaning of words with suffixes with a fun set of printable puzzles for kids.
- Free Plan

Lab Equipment Activity - Vocabulary Match
Use this lab equipment activity to identify different types of science tools by matching vocabulary terms, pictures and definitions.
- Plus Plan

Random Pair Generator Cards
Use these printable partner cards as a randomized pair generator when grouping students in the classroom.
- Plus Plan

Consonant Digraphs Match-Up Activity
Complete words using the correct consonant digraph with this set of match-up cards.
- Plus Plan

Blending Phonemes Secret Message – Matching Activity
Blend phonemes to build words and uncover the secret message!
- Free Plan

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.
- Plus Plan

Fact Family Find and Flip - Addition and Subtraction (Lower)
Addition and subtraction game cards demonstrating the relationship between fact families.
- Plus Plan

Data Match-Up Cards (Set 2)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
- Plus Plan

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.
- Plus Plan

Language and Social Contexts Matching Game
Explore language and social contexts with this fun matching activity that helps students understand how our speech changes depending on the situation.
- Plus Plan

Input and Output Activities — Additive and Multiplicitive Patterns Match - Up
Use input and output activities like this additive and multiplicative patterns match-up game to give your students practice thinking algebraically.
- Plus Plan

What's My Colour? - Matchup Activity
A set of 20 animal and colour matchup cards to use in a variety of ways.
- Plus Plan

Personal Pronouns Matching Game
Familiarise your students with some of the most common personal pronouns using this fun matching game perfect for group work.
- Plus Plan

Verb Tense Puzzle Pop Activity
Grow your students' knowledge of the tense of verbs with this puzzle pop matching activity.
- Plus Plan

Present and Past Tense Irregular Verbs Matchup Cards
A set of 30 match-up cards to help students learn about simple present tense and simple past tense of irregular verbs.
- Plus Plan

Decomposing Fractions Matching Game
Get your students decomposing fractions with this fun matching game for maths groups!
- Plus Plan

Unit Fraction Puzzle Pop Match
‘Pop’ in a bit of extra practise with unit fractions using this fun set of Unit Fraction Puzzle Pops!
- Plus Plan

Unit Fraction Matching Game
Match up different visuals of simple unit fractions to help students understand this mathematical concept.
- Plus Plan

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.
- Plus Plan

Time to the Hour and Half Hour Match-Up
Match cards with three different representations of time to practise reading clocks and time in their written form.
- Plus Plan

Multiplication With Equal Groups Matching Activity
Reinforce how to relate multiplication and equal groups with this printable matching activity.
- Plus Plan

100 More , 100 Less Matching Game (Three-Digit Numbers)
Match 3-digit number cards to find pairs that are 100 more or 100 less of each other.
- Plus Plan

Main Idea and Detail Puzzle
Practise deciphering the main idea from the supporting detail with this printable puzzle.
- Plus Plan

3D Objects and Their Nets - Matching Game
Connect the names, models and nets of three-dimensional objects with this hands-on matching game.
- Plus Plan

Pictograph and Bar Graph Match-Up (Single-Unit Intervals)
Use data analysis skills to match frequency tables with a corresponding bar graph or pictograph.
- Plus Plan

Everyday Opposites - Antonym Game
Have some wordplay fun with an Everyday Opposites domino game!
- Plus Plan

Numbers to 99 - Number Line Matching Activity
Practice locating numbers on a number line with a fun matching activity.
- Plus Plan

Prime Factorisation Match-Up
Practise how to find the prime factorisation of a number with this match-up activity.
- Plus Plan

Elements of a Map Match-up Activity
Use knowledge of the features of a map with this map element matching game.
- Plus Plan

Irregular Subject Verb Agreement Matching Game
Support student grammar skills with a fun and interactive matching game that reinforces irregular subject-verb agreement through hands-on learning.
- Plus Plan

Friends of 20 – Addition Match-up Cards
A match-up activity exploring friends of twenty.