Free Valentine’s Day Memory Game Printable

This Valentine’s Day memory game is an easy, low-prep activity for younger kids who enjoy matching games and hands-on play.

The printable cards work especially well for preschool and early elementary ages, whether you’re using them for a quick classroom center, a quiet homeschool activity, or a simple game to play together at home.

With bright Valentine images and a familiar matching format, kids can jump right in without needing extra instructions, making it a stress-free option for February days when you want something fun but still purposeful.

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Valentine’s Day Matching Game

Matching games support early skills like visual memory, attention, and turn-taking in a natural, play-based way. Because the rules are familiar, kids can focus on the activity without needing much explanation.

This Valentine-themed version works well as a quick center, a short homeschool activity, or an easy game to pull out during February when you want something seasonal and low prep.

How to Play

Print the Valentine matching cards using the link at the bottom of the page. The printable includes 12 Valentine-themed images and is designed to print in portrait. Print the page twice so you have matching pairs.

Cut out the cards, then shuffle them and place them face down on a table. For younger kids, a simple grid works best. A neat layout (such as rows and columns) makes it easier for them to remember card locations and stay focused. Older kids may enjoy a more scattered setup to increase the challenge.

Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If the cards match, the player keeps the pair and takes another turn. If they don’t match, the cards are turned face down again and play moves on to the next player.

The game ends when all pairs have been found. The player with the most matches wins, or you can play cooperatively and try to find all the pairs together.

How to Use This Game by Age

Preschool (ages 3–4)
Start with fewer cards so the game feels manageable. Using 6–8 pairs works well, and you can play cooperatively by helping children remember where cards are placed. This age group benefits most from talking through matches out loud rather than focusing on winning.

Kindergarten–1st grade
Use the full set of matching pairs and play with standard rules. Kids at this stage are usually comfortable taking turns, remembering card locations, and handling a simple win-lose structure. The game works well in small groups or as a literacy or math center.

2nd grade and up
To add challenge, increase the number of cards or mix them into a less structured layout. You can also introduce timed rounds or ask players to explain how they remembered where a match was placed. Older kids often enjoy making it competitive or tracking matches on paper.

More Free Printable Valentine’s Activities

If you’re planning more love-themed activities, these free Valentine’s games work well alongside the memory game and are easy to mix into a February schedule.

• Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt riddles offer a simple way to add movement and teamwork to a party or classroom activity.
• Valentine’s Day scattergories is a low-prep word game that works well for small groups or older kids who enjoy quick thinking.
• Valentine’s Day word scramble adds a light literacy challenge and works nicely as independent or early-finisher work.
• Printable Valentine’s Day cards to color give kids a quiet, creative option they can personalize and share.

You might also want to add a Valentine bingo game, which works especially well for groups and mixed ages.

Valentine’s Day Books for Kids

If you want to extend the activity a bit, pairing the memory game with a short read-aloud works well, especially for preschool and early elementary ages. A simple story before or after the game helps slow things down and keeps the Valentine theme relaxed rather than overstimulating.

A few books that fit nicely with this activity:

• The Day It Rained Hearts – a gentle story that focuses on creativity and kindness rather than romance.
• Love from the Crayons – familiar characters that help younger kids understand different ways people show care.
• Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool – light, funny, and easy to follow for group read-alouds.
• Guess How Much I Love You – a calm, reassuring choice that works well with younger children.

Get Your Free Valentine’s Matching Game Printable Here!

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Last Updated on 10 December 2025 by Clare Brown