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Memory: a sticker of a pair of matching picture cards flipped face up

How to Play the Memory Game

Flip two cards at a time to find matching pairs. The player with the most pairs wins.

  • Pairs or small groups
  • 10 min
  • Matching pairs of cards
  • Pre-K to 3rd grade
  • Quiet
One page with all five steps

How to Play

5 steps
  1. Memory, step 1: Lay them out

    Lay them out

    Shuffle the cards and lay them face down in a grid.

  2. Memory, step 2: Flip two

    Flip two

    On your turn, turn over any two cards.

  3. Memory, step 3: Keep a match

    Keep a match

    If they match, keep them and go again.

  4. Memory, step 4: Flip back

    Flip back

    If not, turn them back over in the same spots.

  5. Memory, step 5: Count pairs

    Count pairs

    When the cards are gone, the most pairs wins.

Ways to Change It Up

  • Word and PictureMatch each word to its picture.
  • Fact and AnswerMatch 6 × 7 to 42.

Play It With

Coming SoonPuzzles & Games

Matching Game Maker

An on-screen matching or memory game from your own word pairs.

K to Grade 8
Prints word-and-picture pairs

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Plan the Game into the Week

Drop a game into any lesson plan in EMStudio, with the rules attached. Free to start.

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