How To Make A Memory Match Game With Free Printables

You can make a memory match game with a free printable in just over hour.

And by the second attempt, it will probably be even faster once you get the hang of it.

It just depends on how fast you cut chip board or lightweight cardboard and if you are well versed in undoing prefab perforated cards.

I have been meaning to create a free printable for a memory game and a tutorial to go with it for several months now.

There were just other tutorials and features with a higher priority like this must haves in a chemo care package for her for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I also really felt it was imoprtant to feature nursing homes that need handmade cards to help them combat loneliness.

Last week, however, a local special education teacher asked for donations of board games and other group games her middle school students could use in her classroom.

So I responded to her request to see if memory match game would be useful.

Since her response was basically ‘yes, please’, creating a memory match game template and tutorial moved to the top of my list.

How To Find Graphics To Make A Memory Match Game

One of the best things about making a memory match game of your own is all the ways you can customize it.

Some of these are:

• determining how many match pairs you want to include (I recommend you err on more rather than less because the recipient can always just not inlcude some pairs while playing),
• designing the size of the match game tiles specifically for the age of players, and
• creating a game theme that is specific to the recipient.

To some, the most difficult of these opportunities is finding enough graphics for a theme.

This is where websites like Creative Fabrica and Freepik offer some great options.

All you need to do is do a search for “icon sets” and you’ll have plenty of choices.

There are fun sets like the dogs above and more!

In fact here are the search results links to make it easy for you:

• icon sets on Creative Fabrica (affiliate link)
• icon sets on Freepik

The beauty of an icon set is that you know exactly how many pairs options you’ll have.

It also ensures a professional and cohesive look to your memory match game.

Now Let’s Make A Match Game!

If you’re looking for a super simple way to make a picture matching game, you could always create a quick chart in Google slides or Powerpoint, drop in some basic clip art, and then cut out the paper squares.

As I mentioned earlier, I plan on donating this memory match game to a middle school classroom, though, so it should get a lot of use.

So, I wanted to use really sturdy materials and engaging visuals.

Materials & Tools For A DIY Memory Match

The materials you need for your homemade picture matching game are:

– Sheets of blank white 3″ x 4″ cards

Avery is my “go to” brand for blank cards I can run through my printer.

For this project, I choose the 3″ x 4″ cards because they will for a larger image size and are easier to handle.

– Chip board or a medium-weight cereal box

The printed cards aren’t hefty enough on their own.

So for a memory match game intended for long-term use, I always recommend using a backing of some kind.

Kraft cardboard/chip board is preferable because of its thickness.

In a pinch, however, you can use cardboard from a medium-weight cereal box.

– Free memory match printables from Create To Donate

There are a total of 13 free printable memory match game files for you to use.

I am calling this the “sassy vegetable match game” and had a lot of fun pulling together these silly, vibrant images.

So, with three matches per page, there is a total of 39 matches which translates to 78 cardboard backings. (Yes, that’s a lot of match game tiles.)

This allows the players to pick and choose the specific characters and number of matches they want to use each time they play.

The files are offered as a one large ZIP file or as individual files depending on how you want to download them.

– Craft glue

Use any glue you already have on hand, but a glue stick will likely be the easiest application for this project.

– Color printer

– Rotary cutter or craft knife

I am a big fan of a rotary cutter but a craft knife will work too.

You’ll need one of these to cut the 12″ x 12″ boards into the 3″ x 4″ pieces.

– Ruler

An acrylic ruler is the perfect ruler to pair with your rotary cutter or craft knife because you can easily measure the pieces.

A regular ruler will also work.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Make A Memory Match Game

Who Needs A Picture Matching Game?

A handmade memory match game makes a great gift for family and friends as well as a useful donation to organizations that servce kids and families.

I will be making several match games for a local middle school and will also see if any senior centers or nursing homes might like some.

Who will be on the receiving end of your match game handiwork?

And are there other themes you’d like me to offer?

Please leave a comment below and let me know other themes for free memory match game printables you’d like to have.

Share ideas for good deeds!