DIY Sesame Street Matching Game (with 20+ bonus variations!)

I am simply amazed at how much you are learning and growing in such a short time.  Lately, you have been enjoying your wooden puzzles that we got for you awhile back.  They are set up to where you have to match the animal (or truck) shaped piece with the picture that looks the same on the board. Since you are becoming such a whiz with the couple that we own, I thought I would make a new matching game up for you with your all time favorite characters...the Sesame Street puppets!  

This was such an easy game to make and portable for some outside fun.  All I had to do was take a picture of each figurine and print it out.  Then, I mounted the picture on a trimmed paper plate to make it more sturdy.  Once they dried, I collected the plastic characters in a wipes container, got the plates, and we headed out to give them a try.

     

Once I set the pictures on the driveway, I showed you what to do with the first one.  We did the next two together and then you finished the rest on your own!  You were so excited to have matched them all up.  When we got in the house later that afternoon, I set the plates and toys on the floor and you reset the game up all by yourself to play!  I was so proud. :)  

I think memory and matching games are so important for you at this age to help develop those skills, so I asked around for a few more ideas to try.  Wow! The possibilities are endless.  Here are 20+ ideas to add to our summer to-do list!  I can't wait to try a few out soon!

Memory Games

 

Collect seashells at the beach this year to try out this Memory Game with Shells created by Kids Activities Blog. (shown above)

Have fun with family photos you take over the summer like the Outlaw Mom did with her homemade Family Memory Game!

Everyone has post-it notes lying around!  Why not try this Simple DIY Memory Game created by Craftoart?

If you have sports fans in the house, put together this NFL Memory Matching game that Toddler Approved! tried with her kiddo!

Get creative and put those leftover Easter eggs to good use like The Good Long Road did in this Memory Game!






Having Fun at Home received this Homemade Memory Game with pictures of the family and pets!  What a great way for the kiddos to get to know their families that live across country. (shown above)

When learning about animals and their babies, Kitchen Counter Chronicles put together this activity inspired by the story they were reading: Are You My Mother Animal Memory Game.

NurtureStore really put the kiddo's memory to work!  For her Memory Game, she put out a tray of items, took it away, and then asked the kids to recall what was shown!

Masterpiece Memory Game introduces kids to great works of art.  No Time for Flashcards created this one with stickers of fine art.

Why not let the littles get in on the action when creating these games? One Mama from the Kids Activities Blog let hers draw anywhere from 5-15 pairs of animals for their Memory Game.






Toddler Approved! included a bit of science in this Water Animals Memory Game.  They even tried it out on a river made of blankets! (shown above)

Math is another great integration when creating games!  You can find printable Game Cards with Dice on the Wise Owl Factory Book A Day!

Here's another wonderful printable from Reading Confetti that puts a new twist on matching up animals with their babies.  Are You My Mother? memory!

Here some great pictograms that represent the different sports played at the Olympic Games from Red Ted Art.  This quick craft: Olympic Memory can be created for the kiddos in no time!

This adorable memory game was created by The Golden Gleam and can be printed out for the littles.  The Easter Egg is a memory game inspired by the book with its namesake.

East Coast Mommy created this eco-friendly memory game that's great for the environment!  Try out her Recycled Matching Game whenever you collect enough bottle caps to make game pieces.

Matching Games

                                




Happy Hooligans created this lovely matching game during the winter months!  Whenever it's too hot outside, pull out this Mitten Match Up to help remind you of those snowflakes that were flying not too long ago.  You can even create this game using flip flops during the summer! (shown above)

This cute Mustache Match Puzzle from No Time for Flash Cards lets the kiddos not only sharpen their skills, but also have some pretend play fun!

Don't forget to save those paint chip samples when you're sprucing up a room.  It's a Long Story created this Paint Chip Matching Game with free samples and toothpicks!  

Celebrate the holidays by creating a themed memory game like Happy Hooligans did for Halloween!  All you need are scissors, patterns, and textured paper to create this Halloween Match Up.

When you're introducing the kids to the letters of the alphabet, try out this Letter Matching activity featured on Creative Playhouse.  What a colorful and fun way to incorporate literacy into your game!



                                      


It's a Long Story also put together this wonderful Toddler Box that includes a matching game with cards she purchased at the Dollar Store. Simple, easy, and loads of fun for the kiddos! (shown above)

Stop by Rainy Day Mum to see the adorable Where's Your Mummy? matching game that her son made.  Kids will think the game is even more special when they apply their own ideas for creation! 


We are in no short supply of game ideas for the summer now!  I can't wait to get creative and begin our new game soon! 


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