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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Blending Phonemes Secret Message – Matching Activity
Blend phonemes to build words and uncover the secret message!
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Compound Words Matching Game
Combine words to make compound words with a fun, printable Compound word game.
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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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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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Compound Words – Match-Up Activity
Build your students knowledge of compound words with this hands-on matching activity.
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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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SATPIN Matching Activity - Frog and Lily Pads
A SATPIN matching activity using lilly pads.
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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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Alphabet Letter Match
A fun match-up activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of uppercase and lowercase letters.
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Shopping Trolley Match-Up Activity
A fun activity to be used to reinforce a variety of mathematical concepts.
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I Know That Word! Match-Up Activity
A vocabulary/labelling activity for younger students.
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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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Friends of 20 – Addition Match-up Cards
A match-up activity exploring friends of twenty.
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Underwater Matchup Cards
A set of 30 underwater creature matchup cards to use in a variety of ways.
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Alphabetise the Aquarium Activity
A set of 4 mats for students to practise alphabetising.
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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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Subitising Game — Memory
Use this subitising game to help your students learn to quickly subitise numbers 1 - 12.
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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.
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Numbers 1 - 20 Representation Matching Cards
Practise representing the numbers 1 - 20 with your students using these matching cards that enable them to engage with numbers in six different formats.
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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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Collective Nouns Match-Up Activity - Animals
A pack of 32 cards to use when learning about collective nouns.
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Fact Family Find and Flip - Addition and Subtraction (Upper)
Addition and subtraction game cards demonstrating the relationship between fact families.
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Fact Family Find and Flip - Addition and Subtraction (Lower)
Addition and subtraction game cards demonstrating the relationship between fact families.
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Farm Yard Sounds Match-Up Activity
A set of eight farm animal cards with matching animal sound cards.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 2)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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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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Money Match-Up Game (New Zealand Currency)
A set of six cards to be matched up for each note and coin in New Zealand currency.
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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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Describing Measurements - Memory Game
A memory game to play in the classroom when developing suitable language to describe different measurements.
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Money Match-Up Game (Australian Currency)
A set of six cards to be matched up for each note and coin in Australian currency.