1+2+3 Custom Memory Game

By Julie A. Finn

Memory is basically the perfect game. A kid can play it solo or in a group, it can be easy or challenging, and it’s educational to boot. Give an old standby some new flavor and create a perfect rainy-day activity when you make your own memory game out of materials you already own.

1. Prepare your pairs.

Cut out several sets of matching image pairs from paper, such as numbers, colors, or words. (Here I used paint swatches.) If necessary, trim them all to be approximately the same size or to cut off extraneous words or images.

2. Prepare your template and backing.

Find a template for your memory cards — cassette tape, coffee mug, etc. — and cut out identical faceup sides from your fancy paper for each card in your game.

Also cut out a facedown side for each card — this can be from the same or different paper as your faceup side. These don’t have to be identical, because they won’t be facing up at the start of the game.

3. Glue and laminate.

With a glue stick, lightly stick your faceup and facedown sides together (facing up and down!), then stick one memory game image on each facedown side.

Laminate your cards for durability, or take them to a copy shop to be laminated.

Photography by Julie A. Finn

Use It.

While simple identical color matches work well for a memory game, consider tweaking your game toward a specific educational experience or a specific kid. Try matching colors with color words, for instance, or pictures with Spanish words, or math equations. Keep your kid guessing!

Julie A. Finn blogs about all the wacky hijinks involved in parenting and the crafty life at craftknife.blogspot.com.