What you’ll need
- Six or more pairs of large picture cards
- A clear table or floor space
Before you start
- Choose sturdy cards that are too large to fit in the child’s mouth and remove any loose or damaged pieces.
- An adult should stay with younger children throughout the game.
You can use a memory-card set or make your own pairs from printed pictures. Let your child help choose the theme—animals, vehicles, food, or family photos—so setting up the game becomes part of the activity.
How to play
- Start with a small number of matching pairs and look at all the pictures together.
- Turn the cards face down and arrange them in rows.
- Take turns revealing two cards. Say the pictures aloud before turning them back.
- Leave a matching pair face up or place it beside the board.
- Continue until you have found every pair together.
Adjust the game by age
For ages 3–4, begin with three or four pairs facing up and ask the child to place matches together. Then try the same small set face down. For ages 5–7, use six to ten pairs. For ages 8–10, add more cards or agree that everyone gets one turn at a time, even after finding a pair.
Start with fewer cards than you think you need. If the child wants another round, add one or two pairs. You can keep score, but the cooperative version—one shared pile and a goal of finding every pair—is often just as engaging.
Want more ideas that fit your family?
Better Family gives you daily suggestions for time with your child. Add the ones that suit you to your plan and mark them complete when you’re done.
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