As a kid, I loved playing memory games. I would sit for hours at a time flipping over cards, trying to find matches. Now that I have kids of my own, I would enjoy watching them play a matching game featuring some of their favorite animals and such. If your kids are fans of dogs, this printable dog matching game is the perfect activity for them!
Benefits of Playing Memory Games
There are many benefits to playing memory games, including:
Improved memory and concentration – Memory games require players to remember where certain cards are located and what is on them. As kids play these types of games, they will improve their memory and concentration skills.
Sharpening problem-solving skills – In order to win at a memory game, players need to be able to think quickly and solve problems. This type of thinking can help kids in school and in other areas of their life.
Stress relief – Playing memory games can be a fun and relaxing way to take a break from the stresses of everyday life.
How to play the printable dog matching game
This memory game is played just like any other memory game. The object of the game is to find all of the matching pairs of cards. To set up the game, simply print out the card deck (link below) and cut out the cards. Once the cards are cut out, shuffle them and place them face down in a grid (4 rows of 4 cards).
1.The first player flips over two cards. If the two cards match, the player keeps the pair and takes another turn. If the two cards do not match, the player flips them back over and it becomes the next player’s turn.
2. Play continues in this way until all of the pairs have been found. The player with the most pairs at the end of the game is the winner!
Ways to make the game more challenging
Once your kids have mastered the basic memory game, you can make it more challenging by:
1. Allowing only one flip – Instead of flipping over two cards at a time, allow each player to flip over only one card per turn. This will make it more difficult to find matches.
2. Making bigger grids – Instead of using the 4×4 grid, try using a 5×5 or 6×6 grid. This will make it more difficult to keep track of where the cards are located.
3. Adding more decks – If you have multiple decks of cards, you can shuffle them all together and use them all at once. This will make it even more difficult to find matches!
4. Timing the game – See how quickly your kids can find all of the matching pairs. You can use a stopwatch or a timer to keep track of time.
Printable Dog Matching Game
I created a deck of 19 dog breed memory cards that you can print out and use to play the game. The cards feature a variety of different dog breeds, including popular ones like golden retrievers and Labradors. You may want to laminate the cards (or put them in plastic sleeves) to make them more durable.
Click the link below to download the printable dog matching game. This game is free for personal use only.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Memory games are a great way for kids to improve their memory and concentration skills. If your kids are fans of dogs, they will love this printable dog matching game! This game can be played with 2-4 players and is suitable for kids of all ages.
Looking for more printable games? You may like these:
Printable Tic Tac Toe
Printable Road Trip Bingo