Are you ready for a fun and educational way to start the new school year? Our back to school matching game is just what you need! These engaging fall activities for children are perfect for both home and school.
They help kids sharpen their memory and recognition skills while getting excited about returning to the classroom. Children love the colorful images and playful themes that make learning enjoyable.
It’s a great way to get back into the school groove after a long summer break, and you can easily tweak it to match any holiday or season, spicing up your learning plans with some festive fun.
Benefits of Playing a Back to School Matching Game
A back to school matching game offers numerous developmental benefits for children.
It enhances memory and concentration skills as kids work to remember and match various images.
This engaging activity also promotes critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, as children strategize their matches.
Additionally, the game helps with visual discrimination and hand-eye coordination, which are key for early learning.
By combining fun with education, this matching game makes practicing these essential skills enjoyable, helping children develop a solid foundation for the academic year ahead.
Additional Matching Games for Children
Our diverse collection of free printable matching games is a great educational resource. They promote interactive learning and play that can be used at home or in a classroom.
These printable games for kids offer extra choices for anyone looking to add engaging educational activities to their routine.
- Farm Animal Matching Game Printable
- Color Matching Game
- Popsicle Matching Game
- Printable Spring Matching Game
- Flower Matching Game Printable
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ABCaptain Counting Animal Matching Game with Sorting CupsOcean Adventure Memory Games for KidsSPARK INNOVATIONS Animal Matching CardsDisney Classic Characters Matching Game by Wonder ForgeHasbro Gaming Trucks Matching GameChuckle & Roar – Matching Game Alphabet – Board Game for Kids
How Does This Game Help Develop Visual Skills?
Playing memory matching games significantly enhances visual skills in children.
As they play, children must scan and compare various images, which improves their visual discrimination abilities.
This skill is super important for telling apart multiple shapes, letters, and numbers, helping with early reading and math skills!
Additionally, the game requires players to remember the locations of images, thereby strengthening their visual memory.
This aspect of the game helps children recall visual information more efficiently, a skill that is beneficial in everyday learning tasks, such as reading and writing.
Overall, the game provides a fun and interactive way for children to develop and refine their visual skills, setting a solid foundation for academic success.
What’s Included in this Printable Matching Game
This printable matching game has everything you need for a fun back-to-school activity. It starts with a vibrant cover page that sets the tone.
The next page gives you simple, step-by-step instructions on how to play.
Pages three and four are full of colorful pairs of picture cards featuring all things school-related, like students, classroom scenes, and school supplies. They add a great touch of excitement to the game.
The last page includes a printable striped sheet for gluing to the back of the cards, helping to make them game-ready.
With these pages, you’re all set for a memorable and engaging matching game experience.
Shop some of our favorite board games for family game night!
Items Needed For This Printable Set
First, make sure you have a printer. We highly recommend getting an Epson EcoTank printer, which is helpful when you do lots of printing.
You also need some paper. Cardstock works best if you want the cards to be extra sturdy.
Once the picture cards are printed, you’ll also need scissors to cut them out. A glue stick or some glue will help you attach the striped sheets to the back of the cards, giving them a polished finish.
Then find a table or a spot on the floor where you can spread out the cards for play. With these items, you’re all set for a great time!
Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank PrinterAmazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine, WhiteIDekooror Photo Storage Box 5Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam TechnologyBright Creations Rainbow Photo Storage BoxesFirbon A4 Paper Cutter 12 Inch Titanium Paper Trimmer
How to Play This Back to School Matching Game
To play this game, print out the picture cards and the striped sheet. Glue the striped sheets to the back of the picture cards for added durability.
After cutting out all the cards, shuffle them and place them face down in a grid on a flat surface.
Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time, aiming to find matching pairs. If a player finds a match, they keep the pair and get another turn.
If they don’t match, flip the cards back over, and the next player takes their turn.
The game continues until all pairs are matched, with the player holding the most pairs declared the winner. Have fun and test how well you can remember where the cards are!
What Makes Back-to-School Activities Exciting and Fun for Kids?
Back-to-school activities become exciting and fun for kids due to their interactive and engaging nature.
These activities often incorporate playful elements, such as games, crafts, and themed challenges, which capture children’s imaginations and make learning enjoyable.
Getting ready for a new school year brings an extra dose of excitement. Activities with vibrant colors, creative themes, and hands-on tasks spark curiosity and enthusiasm.
Also, getting kids involved in activities they can personalize or share with friends really gives them a sense of ownership and accomplishment.
Overall, these activities make going to school feel less like a chore and more like a fun and memorable experience.
Engaging Books About Going to School
Encourage a passion for learning in your young readers with these picture books.
They help preschoolers understand what to expect on their first day of school, boosting their comprehension and vocabulary while fostering a greater appreciation for the experience.
School’s First Day of School: On the first day of school, both students and the school building feel nervous about how the kids will behave and interact.
First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series): Sarah Jane Hartwell feels nervous and apprehensive about starting a new school year where she doesn’t know anyone and nobody knows her.
The Crayons Go Back to School: Explore a book where crayons mirror kids’ emotions about going back to school.
If I Built a School (If I Built Series): Jack envisions a futuristic school with hover desks, pop-up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels, and a trampoline basketball court. A robo-chef serves lunch, field trips to Mars are the norm, showcasing Jack’s boundless imagination.
You should be able to find them at your local library or bookstore. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.
School’s First Day of School
First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series)The Crayons Go Back to SchoolIf I Built a School
Back to School Activities for Kids
Incorporating extra back-to-school activities can significantly boost kids’ enthusiasm and engagement.
These activities ease the shift from summer vacation to school routines by providing learning, creativity, and social interaction opportunities.
From fun crafts and interactive games to special events, these additions make the start of the school year more fun for everyone involved.
- Back to School Craft Stick Pencil Craft for Kids
- Back to School Scissor Skills Activities
- Back to School Craft: Moving Bus Paper Plate
- Back to School Counting Cards and Puzzles
- Paper Fortune Teller Game Template Printable
Make back-to-school awesome with this versatile matching game. It’s a fun way to boost memory and concentration skills.
Perfect for classrooms, homes, or any seasonal events. It’s a great tool for kids’ development and adds some excitement to school.
Super easy to set up and so playful – definitely a must-have for back-to-school routines!
Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.