FREE Printable

Matching games are wonderful for kiddos. They help pass the time when summer boredom sets in AND there are so many developmental benefits to these simple games.

Matching and Memory Games:

• Train visual memory
• Improve concentration
• Increase a child’s attention to detail
• Exercise and increase short term memory
• Improve a child’s ability to find similarities and differences between objects
• Help little ones classify objects and group by similar traits
• Improve vocabulary

Since it is Under the Sea Week here at our house, I created this fun themed matching game. We are getting to talk about all the creatures we have been learning about throughout the week while we play. It is fascinating to hear how much these kiddos have retained from the books we have been reading!

BONUS – my kids thought it was so fun that I am including a FREE printable in this post so you can have fun with it at your home too! You can download it HERE!

I recommend printing these cards on heavy card stock or other thick paper so no cheater can peak through the paper to see what is on the other side! Not that that has ever happened in our house… 🤪 Did I mention that this is the second set of cards I printed out? 🤣

After you print the sheets, I recommend laminating and then cutting out the cards. Yes, I know there is a great debate about laminate first and then cut OR cut first and the laminate… It is totally up to you! For the sake of time, we laminated first and then cut for this game. 😁

Obviously, laminating is optional, but it will help the cards hold up to repeated use.

With small kiddos you can have them match with all the cards face up. Then, as they become more confident, try turning just half of the sets face down for them to practice matching. With older kiddos, use all the cards face down from the start. There are endless ways to play – and learn – through this matching game!

Ready to play? Download your FREE Printable, HERE! I cannot wait to hear what memories you made while playing!

Happy Gaming!