How to create memory games and pair matching exercises

I know, … but this one is for my daughter. We both have so much fun googling happy alpaca pictures. But, there’s more. This exercise shows that an interactive memory game can be a lot of fun.

So, why don’t we bring this memory game to the next level, and make this a fun AND pedagogical tool for children to learn?

It all starts from pairs. What is a pair?

Definition of pair

source: merriam-webster

plural pairs or pair

1. a (1) : two corresponding things designed for use together a pair of shoes (2) : two corresponding bodily parts or members a pair of hands b : something made up of two corresponding pieces a pair of trousers
2. a : two similar or associated things: such as (1) : two mated animals (2) : a couple in love, engaged, or married were a devoted pair (3) : two playing cards of the same value or denomination and especially of the same rank (4) : two horses harnessed side by side (5) : two members of a deliberative body that agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on; also : an agreement not to vote made by the two members b : a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership
3. chiefly dialectal : a set or series of small objects (such as beads)

Recognising pairs is more then memorising, it gives insights in relationships between terms.

Memory game

With a memory game we bring pair matching to a next level. The famous memory game is played by all ages and exists in all forms. In its simplest form, all cards have one uniform side, and the information is on the other side. The cards are shuffled and placed in a grid on the table. The challenge is to find the pairs. In this simple form it’s all about memorizing the cards which were flipped. The more cards, the more difficult the game is. It can be played by yourself, but better is to play it against each other.

Now we can build up and add more levels of difficulty. Instead of finding identical pairs, combinations need to be found. For instance, combining images with words.

In need of a bigger challenge? What about these binary opposites which are used in film scenarios, a theory by Claude Levi-Strauss. The pairs are related by an opposite in meaning.

A few more, just for fun

Match the presidents of the USA with their vice presidents:

Which sport is played on which field?

Want to make your own memory game? Find out how easy it is in this tutorial. Memory widget tutorial

And now it’s up to you: start to create your own memory widget: