DIY: Homemade Make a Match Game

Recently my son has been showing more and more interest in board and card games.  It is a lot of fun introducing the games I remember playing as a kid!  It brings memories of the past times.  One of his recent favorites is Make a Match game with Thomas the Train and His Friends.  I'm amazed how fast he learned the names of all the characters!!  So when a seed catalog arrived and he was quizzing me on all the names of the fruits,  vegetables, and berries I got an idea to make our own game.  We made this Make a Match game and even came up with 4 different ways to play it!

Things you'll need:

©      3x5 Flash Cards

©      Seed & Nursery Catalog

©      Glue Stick

©      Scissors

©      Optional: Shipping Labels

1.  Cut out pictures of fruits, vegetables, and berries in PAIRS.  Glue the cut out pictures onto the 3x5 flash cards.

2.  For additional fun, write the name of the fruit/vegetable/berry on the back...add another language or two for extra challenge!  (you can also print  the name of the fruit/vegetable/berry and then glue it on, or use shipping labels)

Game Ideas.

1.  Mix cards.  Randomly spread cards picture side up on a table and ask the child to make pairs:  apple-apple, corn-corn...by picture.

2.  Mix cards.  Randomly spread cards picture side up on a table and ask the child to make three stacks:  fruits, vegetables, and berries.

3.  Mix cards.  Randomly spread cards on a table and ask the child to make stacks of different colors of the food he/she sees:   red, yellow, green...est.

4.  For older children:  Make a pair using a picture card and a word card.  Separate paired cards.  Mix each stack of cards separately.  Spread cards with pictures on one side and the cards with words on the other.  Ask the child to pair the picture cards with the word cards.

May this inspire you to take the time out of your busy day and play a game or two with your children...you don't have to have the expensive games or toys to make life long memories in your children's lives.