Memory games are great for developing many cognitive skills like, concentration, thinking skills, sequencing, memory, and reasoning (just to name a few!). Here are 12 fun ways to play memory games in your classroom or home.
The Traditional Memory Game
The tradition concentration type memory game can be played solo or in pairs and groups. The object of the game is to find all the pairs of cards. If playing in pairs or groups, take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If a player finds a matching pair, they get another turn and keep flipping until they fail to match two cards.
This is a great game for younger children, but can be fun and stimulating for older children as well. Here are 12 fun and simple ways to play memory games:
1. One Flip
Even if the player finds a successful match, they are only allowed one flip. This variation keeps the game super competitive as players have to make good use of their turns
2. Two Sets
For a longer and more challenging game include two different sets of game cards.
Other Fun Memory Game Variations:
3. Memory Train
Do you remember playing the memory train game? Many of us would have played this (or variations of it) in our own childhood. If you have, then you will remember how fun and hilarious it can be!
The game begins with the first player making a declaration. Usually, they are “going on vacation”, but you can begin with anything, especially if they game is played with a theme in mind.
For instance, for an animal theme the first payer would state “I am going to the zoo, and I see a …”
The next player will repeat this phrase and add another animal to the sentence. The game continues with each player repeating the previous animals, and adding another. If a player makes a mistake in the sequence, or forgets an animal they are eliminated.
The winner is the player who is able to repeat the longest phrase! Make it extra fun, and have the children act out the animals too! Remember you can use any theme to play this game.
4. The Number Train Memory Game
Just like the Memory Train game but with numbers!
The first person begins with a number, and the next player repeats the number and adds another, and so on.
The player who is able to repeat the longest train of numbers in the correct order wins!
5. Two Deck
This game is for kindergarteners and older. Shuffle together two 52-card decks, and lay them out in eight rows of 13 cards. If you want to use the jokers, then lay out 9 rows of 12 cards. Successfully matched pairs must be identical. Meaning they must be the same rank and same suit.
6. Missing Item Memory Game
Have you ever tried playing memory games with practical items? Super fun!
The missing item memory game is fun and can be adapted to any theme, using random items, or theme based items. For instance, for a transportation theme use various kinds of toy cars or transport items.
Display the items on a tray for a specified amount of time, and then cover it. If the children are older enough, as an extension and assessment, have them write a list of the items they see on the tray. The player with the most correct items wins!
Missing item variation: Remove an item each time you cover the tray. If the children are able to identify the item that was removed, they receive a point. Continue until a player reaches the specified amount of points to win.
7. Card Recall
This game is fun because it allows children to player in pairs without assistance or guidance from you, so you can watch and assess quietly.
One player will lay out five themed cards, while the other is given time to memorize them. The first player will then pick up the cards, and only place four cards down again. The first player must recall which card is missing.
8. Sequence Master
Sequence Master helps to improve memory and sequencing. This game is age appropriate for preschoolers and older.
All you need is a series of items or memory cards, a timer, and a cloth to cover the items. Choose five items/cards from the pile and put them into a sequence. For example, using transportation themed memory cards line up two trucks, a bike, a plane, and a police car.
Have the players look at the cards and then cover them. Instruct the players to either arrange the items, or write them in the same order. The player who completes the sequence in the correct order in the shortest amount of time wins!
9. Word List Memory Game
This game is great as a language and literacy extension! For younger children, use easier words and shorter lists.
Create a list of words, keeping one as the master list, and cutting the other into individual words.
Players should look at the master list for an age appropriate amount of time, ensuring to remember as much as they can. The players must then arrange the individual words in the same order as they appear on the master list. Keep score by awarding points to the player who has the most consecutive words in the correct order… or don’t keep score at all! Your choice.
You may also wish to simply have the player re-write the words on a sheet of paper. This variation allows you to assess memory and writing skills.
10. Story Telling Memory Game
The story telling memory game is not only fun, but it boost imagination and creative too! Inform the players that they will be creating a memory story. This will excite the children as it will be their story creation! This game can be played with themed cards or props.
The first player should begin the story either with cards, props, or simply with sentences. The players take turns repeating the sentences while also adding another. A player is eliminated if they miss a sentence or word. The player who tells the entire story without a mistake is the winner.
11. Memory Games with Dice
This variation is played with two or more players, is simple, fun, and adds an element of luck!
Rotating clockwise, each player rolls the dice before their turn to flip two cards to find a match. Whatever number is displayed on the dice is the amount of attempts that player has!
In order to keep players from waiting too long for their turn, use only a single dice.
12. Make a Sentence Memory Game
This variation is perfect for assessments and language and literacy development with themed memory cards. When a player finds a match, they must also write or say a sentence with the card as the subject.
For instance, if working with words ending with “-at” and the player find the “cat” cards, they must now write a sentence with “cat” as the subject. To add a layer of complexity create a list of sight words that must also be used in the sentence. The possibilities are endless!
Final Thoughts
Memory games are great for helping children to enhance brain functions, such as attention, reading, reasoning, memory, and concentration skills. The best way to get the most benefits from memory games is to play them often. So let the fun begin!
Remember they can be adapted to fit any theme, and can also be used as assessment tools in the classroom. That’s a win – win for you and them!
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