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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Building Sundaes with Vowel Teams (OA, OW, OE and EY)
Decode words with OA, OW, OE and EY long vowel teams by crafting cute desserts!
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Building Sundaes with Consonant Digraphs
Identify initial and final consonant digraphs with this set of 4 yummy digraph sundaes.
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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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Missing Digit Multiplication - Interactive Activity
Encourage critical thinking with this missing digit multiplication activity.
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1 to 20 Number Match-Up Cards (MAB, Quantities, Digits, Tallies, Tens Frames and Words)
A match-up activity to help students identify different representations of the numbers 1 to 20.
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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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Money Match-Up Activity (New Zealand Currency)
An activity to help students recognise New Zealand coins and their combined amounts.
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Human Rights Match-Up Activity
A match-up activity to consolidate the students' knowledge of how human rights affect their own lives.
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Numbers to 20 Cupcake Match-Up Activity
Use this match-up activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of numbers to 20.
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Alphabet Matching Activity
A great matching activity to consolidate your students' knowledge of the alphabet, letters and sounds.
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Numbers, Words and Tallies Match-Up Activity - Tens
A game to help your students understand numbers and all of the different ways they can be represented.
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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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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 5)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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Data Match-Up Cards (Set 3)
A match-up activity for students to use when exploring data.
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Music Symbols and Vocabulary Match-up
Match up the music symbols with the related word.
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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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A.M. and P.M. Matching Game
Identify what happens in the A.M. and P.M. times with a fun 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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Beginning Sound Sort - Apple Edition
Practise letter-sound correspondence with this apple-themed letter/sound match-up center activity.
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Owls Round, TOO Matching Game
Practise rounding through to the nearest hundred thousands place with our set of 36 whole number rounding match-up cards.
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Adding within 1000 Bar Model Match Up Activity
Practise using the bar diagram to add numbers within 1000 with this match up activity.
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Evaluating Expressions – Match-Up Activity
Practise substituting values for variables while evaluating expressions with this match-up activity.
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Writing Equations – Match Up Activity
Practise matching word sentences to equations with variables with this 36-card match-up activity.
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Egg-cellent Easter Addition Activity
Practise simple addition with this Easter-themed addition match-up activity.
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Map Symbols Match-Up Activity
Practise identifying the symbols found on a map with a map symbol matching 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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Percent of a Number Match-Up Activity
Practise how to find the percent of a number with this match-up activity.
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Number Match Treasure Hunt
Have students gather the treasure and make matches of numerals, quantities and number names with this match-up activity.
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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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Random Pair Generator Cards
Use these printable partner cards as a randomized pair generator when grouping students in the classroom.
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Traits of Good Citizens - Match-Up Activity
Identify and match characteristics of good citizens with this vocabulary-building activity.
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What's My Colour? - Matchup Activity
A set of 20 animal and colour matchup cards to use in a variety of ways.