32 Free Printable Memory Games For Kids

Printable memory games have been a staple in our house since my son was preschool age and needed something quiet that still felt like play.

I originally made a few themed sets to keep him busy while I made dinner, but they ended up being one of the few activities he’d ask to do again.

From matching planets and presidents to silly holiday cards, these games helped him build memory, focus, and confidence without ever feeling like a worksheet.

If you’re looking for printable matching games that actually hold a child’s attention (and don’t require 30 minutes of setup), these are the ones we’ve come back to again and again.

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Free Educational Matching Games for Kids

We started using printable memory games during preschool as a fun way to sneak learning into our day, and they’ve stuck around through the early grades.

These educational sets cover everything from letters and numbers to real-world concepts and are easy enough for independent play or quiet-time activities.

Literacy & Math Memory Games

• ABC matching game – We used this one a lot when working on uppercase vs. lowercase. It’s a simple way to reinforce letter recognition without pulling out flashcards.
• Numbers memory game – Great for building number sense. We paired it with counting games and used it to review math facts once he started addition.
• Money matching game – This helped us with coin names and values early on. It’s surprisingly fun to mix learning with pretend play or mini store setups.

Everyday Themes

• Musical instrument matching game – A favorite here! It helped my son connect the names of instruments he’d seen but didn’t always remember.
• Clothes matching game – Sounds basic, but it was helpful for vocabulary building, especially with more specific items like “vest” or “scarf.”
• Shakespeare matching game – This one surprised me. It’s perfect for older kids and made our intro to Shakespeare a lot more approachable (and less intimidating!).

Science Memory Games

• Planet matching game – We used these alongside a space unit, and matching names to planets made it easier to remember which was which (especially Uranus and Neptune!).
• Butterfly memory match game – A colorful addition to our butterfly life cycle activities. It helped reinforce vocabulary like “chrysalis” and compare wing patterns.
• Insects memory game – Perfect for bug-loving kids. My son enjoyed naming each insect and spotting tiny differences between them.
• Unicorn memory game – Totally just for fun, but great for imaginative kids. We used it during quiet time and it always brought out creative storytelling.
• Penguin matching game – Great for tying into winter or Arctic units. We talked about different species and where they live while we played.
• Weather memory game – This one was helpful during our preschool weather chart phase, matching clouds, suns, and rain symbols helped make abstract ideas stick.
• Water cycle memory game – We used this after a quick water cycle craft, and it really helped with understanding the sequence of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
• Polar bear memory game – This paired well with a book we were reading about Arctic animals and opened up a conversation about climate change, even at a young age.

Holiday Memory Games for Every Season

We’ve used memory games to bring a little extra fun to just about every holiday, from matching shamrocks in March to spotting snowflakes in December.

These themed sets make it easy to mix learning with celebration, especially when your child is more interested in the candy or costumes than sitting still.

Spring & Summer Games

• Chinese New Year memory cards – A festive way to teach children about Lunar New Year symbols and traditions.
• Valentine’s memory game – Features fun Valentine’s Day symbols like hearts, chocolates, and cupids.
• Presidents memory game – Learn the names and faces of the American Presidents.
• St Patrick’s Day matching game – Introduces lucky Irish symbols like shamrocks and leprechauns.
• Spring matching game – A cheerful game that highlights flowers, baby animals, and seasonal changes.
• Easter memory game – A fun way to match bunnies, eggs, and other Easter-themed images.
• April Fool’s matching game – A lighthearted game with silly symbols to bring extra fun to April 1st.
• Earth Day memory game – We used this to start a conversation about recycling and taking care of the planet.
• Star Wars memory game – May the 4th wouldn’t be complete without this one (a favorite in our house).
• 4th of July memory game – A patriotic game featuring fireworks, flags, and historical American symbols.

Fall & Winter Games

• New Year’s memory game – A fun way to ring in the new year with celebratory images.
• Roald Dahl memory game – Perfect for older kids who already love his stories, fun and literary.
• Pirate memory game – Set sail for adventure with this pirate-themed memory game.
• Halloween memory game – Helps kids identify spooky symbols like ghosts, pumpkins, and witches.
• Thanksgiving memory match game – Features harvest-themed images, perfect for a Thanksgiving activity.
• Elf memory game – Play this cheerful Elf on the Shelf themed game for some holiday fun.
• Hanukkah memory game – Teaches children about the Festival of Lights with traditional Hanukkah symbols.
• Christmas memory match game – A festive matching game featuring Santa, reindeer, and Christmas trees.

These printable matching pairs games have been one of the easiest ways to bring learning into the holidays, no prep, no screens, just a stack of cards and a few minutes of quiet play.

How to Get & Print Your Free Memory Games

You can get each matching game individually (free via the links above), or save time by grabbing the full printable bundle for a small fee.

Once you’ve downloaded your games, print each page twice to create matching pairs.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cardstock (regular paper works, but thinner paper may show images through the back)
• Paper cutter or scissors (for cutting out the cards)
• Laminator (optional, but makes the cards more durable)
• Coloring pens (for decorating the back of the cards, if desired)

How to Play Printable Matching Games with Kids

Matching games are great for all ages, whether your child plays alone or with friends and family.

As a parent of an only child, I’ve found these games are a perfect way to keep them entertained while I make dinner!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Decorate the Cards (Optional): Before cutting out the cards, we like to decorate the backs. Grab some coloring pens and let the kids get creative!
2. Cut & Set Up the Game: Once the pairs are cut out, place the cards face down on the table. For younger kids, it helps to arrange them in neat rows.
3. Take Turns Flipping Cards: The youngest player goes first. They pick two cards and flip them over.
4. Match or Miss:
   • If the cards match, the player keeps them and takes another turn.
   • If they don’t match, they turn the cards back over, and the next player goes.
5. Winning the Game: The player with the most matching pairs at the end wins!

Tip for Single Players: If your child is playing alone, they can leave the cards face-up to match them without the memory challenge.

What Are the Benefits of Playing Memory Games?

These games started as a quiet-time activity in our house, but they’ve ended up teaching far more than I expected:

• Improves recall naturally – My son began remembering letter sounds and facts just by playing, no drilling required.
• Great for focus in short bursts – Even on days when attention was hard to come by, he’d happily flip cards and stay engaged.
• Strengthens visual observation – Spotting small differences (especially in seasonal or science sets) helped him really slow down and notice details.
• Teaches game skills – Taking turns, following simple rules, and handling wins or losses, these games make it easy to build those habits.
• Makes learning stick – Whether we were reviewing planets, money, or emotions, matching pairs helped reinforce new ideas without the usual resistance.

Looking for more ways to make learning fun? Check out our gameschooling guide for creative ways to use games in your homeschool!

Best Ways to Store Your Memory Games

Keeping your games organized ensures they last longer and stay in great condition. Here are the best ways to store them:

Protect the Cards from Damage

• Store game cards in snack ziplock bags to prevent them from getting lost or bent.
• For extra durability, place them in sheet protectors inside a binder.

Keep Sets Together

• Use a ribbon or elastic band to bundle matching cards.
• Label each set to make it easy to find the game you want.

Extend Their Lifespan

• Laminating the cards makes them more durable and easier to wipe clean.
• Store them in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture from damaging the paper.

By following these simple steps, your printable matching pairs games will stay in great shape for years to come!

Whether you’re just starting or adding to your collection, printable memory games are an easy, screen-free way to make learning stick.

Last Updated on 11 July 2025 by Clare Brown