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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Partitioning 2-Digit Numbers Match-Up Activity
Help children partition 2-digit numbers by identifying the place value of the tens and ones with this matching activity.
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Counting to 20 Match-Up Cards
Count objects up to 20 with our match-up card game.
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Contractions Flower Match Activity
Practise matching the correct words with their contraction with this cute flower match activity.
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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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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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Numbers 1-10 Bug Matching Game
Help students learn to represent numbers 1-10 in picture, word and number form.
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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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Multiplication With Equal Groups Matching Activity
Reinforce how to relate multiplication and equal groups with this printable matching 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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Think It or Say It? - Sorting Activity
Teach students about using a filter when speaking with others.
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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.
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Skip Counting Multiplication Matching Game
Use this resource as a hands on-task to practise using skip counting to solve multiplication expressions.
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Voting in Australia — Matching Activity
Learn key vocabulary terms related to Australia’s system of voting with this set of hands-on match-up cards.
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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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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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Number, Word and MABs Matching - Clovers
Practise place value of 2-digit numbers with this clover-themed puzzle.
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Hands-On Numbers 1-10 Caterpillar Activity
Match numbers 1-10 with their various visual representations to build a fun mathematical caterpillar!
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Synonym Cards Match-Up Game
Download these synonym cards to help your students recognise words with similar meanings by playing an engaging, hands-on matching game.
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Cartesian Plane Coordinates Matching Activity
Practise identifying coordinates and describing the process for graphing with a year 6 matching activity.
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Percent Matching Game for Year 6 Maths
Match fractions, decimals and percentages with this printable matching game for year 6.
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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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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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Blending Phonemes Secret Message – Matching Activity
Blend phonemes to build words and uncover the secret message!
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Tens Frame - Addition and Subtraction Match-Up Activity
Build addition and subtraction skills with two tens frame matching games.
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Letter Match-Up Cards
A set of upper and lowercase letter cards.
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How Does It End? – Final Sounds Match-Up Activity
Consolidate your students' understanding of end sounds with this set of 15 task cards.
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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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Money Match-Up Activity (New Zealand Currency)
An activity to help students recognise New Zealand coins and their combined amounts.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 1)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.