Free Alphabet Memory Game Printable for ABC Fun

This alphabet memory game printable was an instant hit in our house when my son was learning his ABCs.

Matching letters with animals felt more like a game than a lesson, and that was exactly what we needed at the time. It worked better than flashcards because he could play independently, and it held his attention longer than most of our early letter activities.

Whether we played it face-up for easy matching or turned it into a full memory game, it became one of our go-to ways to practice the alphabet without any complaints.

Colorful alphabet memory game printable with red and blue letter cards and matching animal tracing cards arranged on a white table.

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Simple Ways to Use the ABC Memory Game

There’s no one right way to use this free printable memory game, it depends on your child’s age and energy level.

You can keep it simple by laying the cards face up and matching letters to animals. Or flip them over for a more traditional memory game. We’ve even turned it into a round of “Snap” with just the letter and animal cards.

Close-up of an alphabet matching game showing three red and blue uppercase letter cards—F, G, and A—paired with illustrated animal cards labeled “fish,” “giraffe,” and “alligator.” Each animal card includes a cute cartoon drawing and a traceable word beneath it to support early literacy skills.

Before cutting the cards, let kids decorate the backs to make their set unique, just don’t skip that step or you’ll end up with see-through cards (been there!).

If you don’t have cardstock, regular paper works fine, just laminate them to help them last longer, especially if you’re using them in a group setting.

Alphabet matching game pieces showing a red card with the letter "E" and a corresponding card with a cute cartoon elephant labeled “elephant” in traceable handwriting. Additional blue letter cards are stacked in the background on a white surface.

Built-in Tracing for Extra Writing Practice

Each animal card has a traceable word underneath the picture, so kids can practice writing as they play. This worked especially well for us during quiet time, my son would go back and trace the names on his own, even after we were done playing.

It’s a simple way to work in letter formation and spelling, especially for kids who enjoy hands-on learning. You don’t need to set up a full handwriting lesson, just let them trace at their own pace while matching letters to animals.

Colorful printable alphabet matching game spread out on a flat surface, featuring red and blue cards with bold uppercase letters and matching animal cards with illustrated animals like cat, lion, elephant, and jellyfish. Each animal card includes a traceable word to reinforce letter recognition and early reading skills.

If your kids enjoy this, they’ll probably love our free alphabet bingo game too. Another easy, low-prep way to sneak in some letter practice.

Why Letter Matching Games Work So Well

I didn’t expect so much learning to come from a simple card game, but this one really pulled its weight. Beyond just matching letters, it helped with:

Letter recognition – Seeing and saying the letters over and over made the alphabet stick in a low-pressure way.
Phonics practice – Matching ‘B’ to ‘Bear’ or ‘D’ to ‘Dolphin’ gave us built-in chances to talk about letter sounds.
Memory and focus – Trying to remember where each card was turned into a fun challenge without it feeling like school.
Fine motor skills – Flipping and handling the cards gave his little hands a workout too.
Confidence – The sense of accomplishment when he found a match made him want to keep going.

Whether we played cooperatively or competitively, it became a simple way to reinforce learning without needing a full lesson plan.

Alphabet matching game in progress, with some cards flipped over to reveal cartoon animal illustrations and corresponding words like cat, ostrich, jellyfish, zebra, kangaroo, and elephant. Red and blue letter cards are partially revealed, including the letters C, O, J, Z, E, and K. Cards are arranged in a grid on a white surface.

More Alphabet Activities to Try

Looking for more ways to keep the ABC fun going? These free printable alphabet activities are simple, low-prep, and have worked well for us over the years:

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt – A fun, active way to practice letter recognition, kids search for real objects or match animal cards, making it perfect for high-energy learners.
A is for Apple Handprint Template – Combine art and early literacy with this paint-and-press craft. Once the handprint apple is dry, kids can add a stem and leaf for extra detail.
Alphabet Animals Coloring Pages – From Alligator to Zebra, these pages offer a calm, creative way to reinforce letter sounds and animal vocabulary.
Letter A Coloring Page – Focus on the first letter of the alphabet while building coloring and fine motor skills. Try brainstorming other “A” words together while they work.

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Last Updated on 7 July 2025 by Clare Brown