Today I’m sharing a free matching memory game for kids.
Today I decided it was time to try a Memory game with my Two (almost three).
Free Matching Memory Game
First I gave him the stack of cards. He went through each picture and named it. He needed help with quite a few: helicopter, submarine, zeppelin, and bus (it was a red double-decker that he thought was a fire truck). What a great vocabulary-building activity!
As he laid out the cards, he put them next to their matches without direction from me.
My Two has seen his older siblings play matching games, but this was his first go at it. So we made it simple by using just four pairs of cards. He knew that he needed to flip the cards over and keep them in their places in the grid. He named each picture as he flipped — I decided we would follow that pattern for the rest of the game.
If you haven’t played a matching game with a preschooler lately, you might be surprised at how well their little memories work! Sometimes my kids beat me even when I’m trying to win. In this case I collected matches but also held back so that my Two could have success. He was so excited when he found a pair! After the game was done we didn’t bother checking to see who’d won. Instead, he immediately set out the cards to play again. I kept adding cards until we were playing with about 16 total cards.
You can see that his layouts were a bit haphazard. 🙂 We played the game quite a few more times before it was time to head outdoors to the water table.
Here’s a sample page from the download. You’ll receive 18 pairs of matching vehicles. If you’d like a pattern on the back of the cards, print front to back.
This is what will appear on the backs of the cards.
Get your free transportation memory game!
CHECK OUT OUR PRESCHOOL MATH CURRICULUM!
Preschool Math Curriculum for Home
$24.00
You’ll love this collection of simple, low-prep math activities for learning preschool math! Get your child ready for kindergarten with these hands-on activities that teach a variety of skills.
Janet
Thank you for this printable. Made this for my grandson for Easter.
Janet
Hufrish
Hi Anna, really liked the Matching Memory Game on Transportation. Thanks a lot for these freebies that you keep sending in the mail. They are super helpful.
Thanks again.
Gareth
These are fantastic. Do you plan on making cards for trains, motorbikes, trams, scooters and boats?
Anna G
Not at this time, Gareth! 🙂
Valeria
Gracias, muy bonito y entretenido para los niños.
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Valeria!
Angie
thank you very much for your wonderful work and for sharing with us. Thank you for the time you take to make them and help us to have good source of aids for our children.
Anna G
You’re welcome, Angie!
Flo
Thanks a million!!!
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Flo!
SANDRA COPESTAKE
THANK YOU THERE GREAT X
Anna Geiger
You’re welcome, Sandra!
Kat Teacher
Thanks for this! I was looking for a lovely clean setup for the memory card game for my beginner ESL students, I was thinking about pasting a background to the other cards, but of course! Print the design on the back, awesome!
thank you! 🙂
Kat Teacher
Anna Geiger
Yay – so glad you can use these!
razan
Good
Miriam
I’m trying to download the printable file for the transportation matching game and I keep getting a message that the file is damaged and can’t be repaired. Help?!?
Anna Geiger
The file is fine, but it’s probably something very easy to fix on your end. Try this link for ideas – 99% of the time, one of these works!
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/
Miriam
Worked a treat, thanks! Looking forward to using more of your resources…love them!
Emily
I really appreciate the Transportation Matching Game template! I’m the Early Literacy librarian at Cedaredge Library and am using them to go with my “On the Go” theme! I will also be visiting the local preschool and sharing the game with them, so thank you, thank you, thank you!
Anna Geiger
I’m so glad you can use this, Emily – it’s always a treat to hear from librarians!
Katie
These are awesome and exactly what I was looking for! Your website is always such a wonderful, generous resource & I truly appreciate it!
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Katie – thanks so much for the kind note!
Tatiana
Super cute! Tanks for sharing!
Eleena
These are great! thanks for sharing!
but unfortunately I can’t seem to be able to download the file from the link. help please?
Anna Geiger
I”m sorry it took me so long to get back to you, Eleena – can you try the link again and see if it still gives you trouble?
annageig
You’re welcome, Lola! Thanks so much for stopping by.
monica
Featuring this! Thanks for sharing at Family Fun Friday!
Monica
http://happyandblessedhome.com
hope to see you again later this week at:
http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
annageig
That’s great news! Thanks, Monica!
Brenda Martin
I love this for my own kids! Thanks for sharing 🙂
annageig
Thanks so much for stopping by, Brenda!
Savannah
What fun! Thanks for sharing at the Homeschool Review. I hope you’ll return next week and I look forward to seeing all the fun and learning you accomplish in the next five days.
-Savannah
annageig
Thanks, Savannah!
Natasha
this is great!!
I would love it if you could share this on my link party Serenity Saturday
Natasha xx
annageig
Thanks so much for the invite, Natasha!
Debbie @ http://kidsbibledebjackson.blogspot.com/
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing at TGIF!
annageig
Thanks for visiting again, Debbie!
Liliana
The cards look great! I’m sure they’re a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing.
annageig
Thanks for stopping by, Liliana!
Dollie @ Teachers of Good Things
My 3 year old son would LOVE this one! Thanks for linking up with Tender Moments with Toddlers & Preschoolers. If you are on Twitter, I would love you to join in on #tendermoms with us!
annageig
Thanks, Dollie — Twitter is one of those things I’m on, but just haven’t made use of yet. I feel a little overwhelmed with social media at present. 🙂 My Twitter name is @measuredmom.
annageig
Great, Niki! I’ll have more transportation stuff coming out in the next week since we are doing “V” for vehicles — so stay tuned 🙂
Niki
Thanks so much! These are great. I am working on a transportation themed preschool for my tot next year and these will be a great addition. Thanks for sharing.
annageig
Great, Niki! — I’ll be doing more transportation stuff in the next week since we are doing “V” for vehicles… so stay tuned 🙂
Georgina @ Craftulate
Oooh love these! Pinned and tweeted!
annageig
Thanks, Georgina!!
clare
thank you so much – just what i was looking for and loved the style of the cartoons.
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Clare! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Elizabeta
Thank you so much for this free printable matching game.