Matching Games Teaching Resources
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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Percent Matching Game for Year 6 Maths
Match fractions, decimals and percentages with this printable matching game for year 6.
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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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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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A Rhyme a Dozen - Matching Game
A concentration style card game that can be used to consolidate students' knowledge of rhyming words.
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Python Patterns – Match-Up Activity
An activity for students to consolidate copying and creating patterns.
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Subitising 1 to 12 - Snap and Memory Game
A set of subitising cards for students to play a game of snap or memory when learning to subitise numbers.
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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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Alphabet Matching Game
Use this alphabet matching game to familiarise your students with the letters of the alphabet and their corresponding sounds.
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Contractions Cupcake Matching Activity
Practise matching contractions with their words using this fun cupcake match-up.
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Compound Words - Noun Puzzle Pops Match-Up
‘Pop’ in a bit of extra practise with compound words with a fun set of Compound Word Puzzle Pops!
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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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Pictograph, Bar Graph, and Dot Plot Match-Up (Scaled Intervals)
Use data analysis skills to match tally charts and frequency tables with their corresponding bar graph, pictograph, or dot plot.
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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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Alphabet Letter Match
A fun match-up activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of uppercase and lowercase letters.
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Statement, Question, Command, Explanation – Match Up Cards
A set of 32 match up cards to use when teaching younger students about the four types of sentences.
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Time Machine Match-Up Activity
A fun sorting activity that consolidates knowledge of time to the hour, half-hour and to the quarter-hour.
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Cause and Effect Matching Cards
A set of 24 cards that can be used to help consolidate students' knowledge of causes and effects.
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The Circulatory and Cardiovascular System Match-Up Activity
A match-up activity to use in the classroom when learning about the human circulatory and cardiovascular system.
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Make a Pizza Counting Game
Use this pizza-themed counting game to get your students matching numerals with their corresponding quantities.
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Bugs in a Jar Counting Activity
Practise counting to 20 with this engaging and hands-on bugs in a jar activity set.
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Weathering, Erosion and Deposition Matching Game
Challenge your students to identify different slow changes to Earth’s surface with this matching game designed for year 4 and 5 students.
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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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Irregular Plural Noun Match-Up
Practise using irregular plural nouns with an irregular plural noun matching activity.
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SATPIN Matching Activity - Frog and Lily Pads
A SATPIN matching activity using lilly pads.
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Multiple Meaning Match-Up Cards (Black and White Version)
16 match-up puzzles to use in the classroom when identifying homonyms.
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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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Alphabet Order Activity
A fun match-up activity to help teach children the alphabet, letters and sounds.
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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.
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Software and Hardware Match-Up Activity
Consolidate students’ understanding of various software and hardware with this word and image match-up activity.
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Past, Present, and Future Verb Tense Matching Activity - Irregular Verbs
Master past, present, and future tenses of irregular verbs with a butterfly matching activity.
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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.
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Ten Frame Matching Game
Use this ten frame game to strengthen your students’ number sense and foundational maths skills.