Back to school time is near! In the midst of this busy season, I am always looking for some back to school activities that are entertaining and simple to prepare. This free back to school memory match game is a great way to kick off the school year. It strengthens observation, concentration and memory in a fun way. Kids will enjoy playing it again and again!
For more fun, check out our best-selling Ultimate Preschool Activity Pack in our shop!
Getting Ready
This back to school memory match is simple to prepare. Simply download the file, print, glue on to construction paper (I did this so that the kids couldn’t see through the paper, but you could also print on cardstock), laminate for durability if you choose, and cut!
There are 18 cards total with 9 different pairs of back to school items. Each card contains a picture and word.
Playing Memory Match
You can choose to play this game with as many or as few matches as you like. You could start with just a few, and then add more to make it more challenging! We decided to start off with 12 cards (6 matches) and then work up from there.
We played in pairs, taking turns flipping over two cards at a time. If they matched, that person kept the cards and took another turn.
If the cards didn’t match, they turned them back over and then it was the other person’s turn.Â
We kept going until all the cards had been matched. The person with the most matches was the winner.
One of the best things about this game is that kids usually want to play it more than once. This gives them even more practice in strengthening their concentration and memory. It can also be a great game for kids to play together as an icebreaker or a get to know you activity.
Grab Your Back to School Memory Match
Download your copy of the free back to school memory match below and then hop over and check out our super popular Ultimate Preschool Activity Pack!
Such a great idea! I love that the kids can also use them to talk about what they find in their new classroom too. Including the game in our Back to School round-up this week!
What a great follow up suggestion, Jacquie! I love it!! Thanks for including us in your back to school roundup.
This is great! I am going to use it to review classroom supplies with my ESL 5-7 year olds! We are back from mid-term break in Brazil!
Hooray Karen!! We’re thrilled that the memory match is helpful for your ESL kiddos.
There are so many activities on your site that are ELL friendly and I couldn’t be happier! Thank you sooooooooooo much!!! My students are going to be thrilled 🙂
Hooray! Thank you SO much for the kind words. I am so excited that you were able to find some motivating activities for you and your students.
Stay inspired!
Kimberleigh // Community Manager Playdough to Plato
This is great. I’m using this as a review game in my Sunday school class throughout September as we do a “Back to School with Jesus” theme.
I’m enormously grateful for this amazing memory set☺
Gonna use it with my preschoolers tomorrow ☺
YAY! We are *thrilled* to hear that! ? Fingers crossed it was a successful lesson!