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Learning · The activity desk

Picture-pair memory game

Make a memory game with insects or winter pictures.

Let's play →

A little plan for play

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What you need

Four identical full sheets of opaque paper and large child-appropriate crayons.

Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.

Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.

Set up: Choose two pictures, such as a bee and a butterfly, or a mitten and a snowflake.

Adult's role: Draw one picture on each sheet, making two matching pairs. Stay beside the child during play.

Let's make it happen

  1. Color each pair alike and look at the four pictures together.
  2. Turn the sheets face down and mix them up. Take turns turning over two sheets.
  3. If the pictures match, leave them face up. Otherwise turn them back over and let the next person try.

Make it simpler: Leave the pictures face up and find each pair together.

Clean up: Collect all four sheets and put away the crayons.

Adult stays beside the child. Use full sheets so no small cards are needed.

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