Free President Matching Game Printable

A president matching game works best when kids can focus on recognition rather than memorizing long lists of facts all at once.

When we used activities like this, the real learning came from noticing familiar faces, sounding out names, and talking about which presidents kids already recognized and why. The matching format keeps things low-pressure, so it feels more like a game than a history lesson.

This free printable includes illustrated portraits paired with name cards, making it easy to adjust for different ages. You can use just a few presidents at a time, play a classic memory-style game, or turn it into a simple name-and-face matching activity during social studies.

It’s an easy way to introduce U.S. presidents through conversation, repetition, and play, without overwhelming younger learners or turning it into busywork.

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How This Matching Game Works

This printable is meant to keep the focus on recognition and discussion rather than memorizing long lists of names.

Instead of using every card at once, it works best when you start small and build up gradually. Kids can notice familiar faces, sound out names, and talk through who they recognize, which makes the activity feel manageable and more engaging.

The printable is free for personal and classroom use. Scroll to the bottom of the page to enter your email address and receive the PDF.

What You’ll Need

You can prep this game with basic supplies, and none of them are strictly required.

• Cardstock (recommended): Thicker paper makes the cards easier to handle and helps prevent names or faces from showing through.
• Scissors or a paper cutter: Scissors work fine, though a paper cutter is helpful if you’re preparing multiple sets.
• Laminator (optional): Useful if you want the game to last longer or plan to reuse it with multiple groups.

Getting the Cards Ready

Print two copies of the pages so you have both the illustrated portraits and the matching name cards. This gives you enough cards to play several versions of the game.

If you’d like to slow things down or add a creative element, kids can color the portraits before cutting. Some prefer realistic colors, while others find bold colors make the faces easier to tell apart.

Once printed and cut, the cards are ready to use.

Different Ways to Use the Cards

You don’t need to play the same way every time. Adjust the number of cards and the rules based on age and attention span.

Name and Face Matching – Lay out a small set of portraits and name cards and ask kids to match them. This works well as a first exposure or quick review.

Visual Matching for Younger Learners – Use fewer cards and focus on matching identical faces or matching to a reference board before introducing names.

Classic Memory-Style Play – Turn both portrait and name cards face down. Players flip two cards at a time, looking for a matching pair. Limiting the number of cards keeps this manageable.

Recognition Challenge – Use the portraits as prompts and see which presidents kids already recognize. Talk through unfamiliar names rather than treating it like a formal quiz.

Add a Creative Element – Coloring the portraits before playing helps some kids slow down and notice details, which can make matching easier later.

More Presidents’ Day Printables

If you want to extend the matching game with a few closely related activities, these printables work well without overloading the lesson:

• President word scramble: A simple vocabulary activity for elementary and middle school.
• If I Were President worksheet: A short writing prompt focused on leadership ideas.
• Presidents coloring pages: Portraits of all U.S. presidents for name and face recognition.
• George Washington worksheets: Age-appropriate options for younger students.
• Thomas Jefferson worksheets: Activities that build background knowledge alongside the game.

Books About Presidents for Kids

If your kids want a bit more context after playing the game, these president books work well alongside matching and memory activities.

• Weird but True: US Presidents is great for kids who love surprising facts and short, funny bits of information rather than long biographies.
• The Presidents Visual Encyclopedia works best for visual learners who like flipping through pictures and reading small sections at a time.
• Presidents’ Day is a gentle introduction for younger kids, helping explain what Presidents’ Day is and why it’s celebrated.

These pair nicely with the matching game without turning it into a full research project.

Get Your Free Printable President Memory Game Here!

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Last Updated on 4 January 2026 by Clare Brown