A memory game printable turns a few sheets of paper into one of the best-loved games for young children. This free set has six matching card sets: animals, fruit, ocean life, farm, vehicles and space. Every PDF has twelve cards (six pairs) on page 1 and matching card backs on page 2, so you can print, cut and play in about ten minutes. Each memory game printable is a set of matching cards to cut out.
Quick answer: print page 1 of a set on card stock, add the card backs on page 2 if you like, cut along the dotted lines and shuffle. Lay the cards face down, take turns flipping two and keep every pair you find. The player with the most pairs wins.
Memory game printable cards (PDF)
Six sets, each a two-page PDF: card faces on page 1 and card backs on page 2. Click a picture to open it.
How to prepare the cards
- Print the cards. Use thick paper or card stock for cards that last. Plain paper works, but it can show the picture through the back.
- Add the backs. Print page 2 on the reverse of page 1 if your printer can print on both sides, or glue the pages together.
- Cut along the dotted lines. Ask an adult to cut, or let older children use child-safe scissors.
- Make them last. Laminate the sheet before cutting, or slide the cards into clear sleeves.
- Store the set. Keep each set in a small envelope or a zipper bag so no card gets lost.
How to play a memory game for kids
- Shuffle and spread. Lay all twelve cards face down in three rows of four.
- Flip two cards. The first player turns over any two cards.
- Look for a pair. If the pictures match, the player keeps the pair and takes another turn.
- Turn them back. If they do not match, the cards go back face down and the next player goes.
- Count pairs. When all cards are gone, the player with the most pairs wins.
Memory game ideas for different ages
| Age | Cards to use | Way to play |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 | Four to six cards (two or three pairs) | Play with the cards face up and name each picture. |
| 3 to 4 | Eight cards (four pairs) | Play face down with a grown-up and help with turns. |
| 5 to 6 | All twelve cards | The normal game, with each player saying the name of every card. |
| 7 and up | Two sets mixed together | Mix two themes for twenty-four cards, and a bigger challenge. |
Why the game helps children
- Working memory: the game trains it, because remembering where a card was placed is a real mental exercise.
- Attention: children look closely at the details of each picture.
- Vocabulary: every card has a word, so children practice saying and reading it.
- Turn taking: the game is slow enough for good manners, such as waiting and being a gracious loser.
Make your own memory game printable
Once the family knows the game, children can make cards of their own. Cut a sheet of paper into twelve pieces, draw six simple pictures twice and add a color on the back. You can also pair the cards in different ways, such as a picture and its first letter, or a number and a matching group of dots, to turn the game into early reading or math practice.
How these sheets are made
Every sheet is generated by a program. Each set has six pairs, the cards are shuffled with a fixed order so every download is the same, and a card-back page is built to match the colors of the set. The pictures are Noto Emoji artwork from Google, used under the Apache License 2.0; the project is on GitHub. A credit line is printed on every page.
Print the memory game printable on card stock so the cards last longer and the pictures do not show through.
Frequently asked questions
6 quick answers
Is this memory game printable free?
Yes. Print as many sets as you like for your own children or class, with no account or sign-up.
How many cards are in each set?
Each set has twelve cards, which is six matching pairs. The second page has twelve matching card backs.
Can I play with more than one set?
Yes. Mix two sets for twenty-four cards, or all six sets for a long game with an older group.
What paper should I use?
Card stock works best because the picture does not show through the back. If you only have plain paper, glue the sheet to a cereal box before you cut.
Do the cards have words on them?
Yes. Every card has the picture and the word, which supports early reading. You can fold a sticky note over the word for a harder game.
What age is it for?
Children as young as two can match pictures face up. The normal face-down game suits ages four to eight, and older children can try two sets mixed together.
More matching and picture games
- Picture bingo for kids for a group game.
- Classroom bingo.
- Tic tac toe online and tic tac toe boards.
- Same and different worksheets for matching practice.
- Charades for kids.
- Printable mazes.
- Every puzzle and brain teaser on PrintSheetLab.
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