Memory Game for Kids

How to play the memory game

All the cards start face down. Your child turns over two. If the pictures match, the pair stays face up and the name is said out loud; if not, both turn back over, and the trick is to remember where they were. The game ends when every pair has been found.

Start with 6 cards: three pairs is enough for a three-year-old to win, and winning is what makes them ask for another go. Play it together at first and take turns, saying what you are looking for: "Where was the other banana?" Talking it through is how children learn to remember on purpose.

The pictures: dog, cat, lion, elephant, monkey, cow, pig and rabbit; apple, banana, grapes, strawberry, orange, watermelon, mango and lemon; car, bus, train, airplane, helicopter, rocket, fire truck and ambulance.

Common questions

What age is the memory game for?

About three to six. Three-year-olds do well with the 6-card game; four- and five-year-olds can move up to 12 and then 16 cards.

What does a memory game teach?

Holding a picture in mind for a few seconds, remembering where things are, and taking turns at looking. Hearing each name as the card turns over adds the words too.

How do I make it easier or harder?

Pick the number of cards above the board: 6 cards is three pairs, 12 is six and 16 is eight. Start small and move up once your child finds every pair without much guessing.

Is the memory game free?

Yes, in a web browser with no login. Three games a day play free, and the Flashcards Kids app has unlimited games, which you can try free for 7 days.