In Our Homeschool is (mostly) a weekly series here at Mama’s Learning Corner. I’ll write about what we’re learning, helpful homeschool ideas, field trips, or books we’re reading. I hope you enjoy! 
Match Games have always been a staple in our homeschool preschool. I am now schooling my 5th child, and match games are a regular part of our day, just as they were with the four older siblings that came before him.
Take a peek at how we used them in our homeschool this week!
Click here and find all of the In Our Homeschool posts!
Using Match Games in Our Homeschool Preschool
Homeschool Preschool doesn’t have to be hard, and you certainly don’t have to buy a curriculum unless you would like something to keep you on track. I have written a few posts on our homeschool preschool routine through the years, and you can take a look at those here:
— Take a Peek at Our Current Homeschool Preschool Routine! – written in 2015 – things look very different today!
— The Ins and Outs of Homeschooling Preschool – this is a Google Hangout with other experienced Preschool moms. While this is an older video, the concepts are still the same!
✅ Click here for all homeschool preschool posts with worksheets and printable hands-on activities.
This week, my Boy (almost 4) and I have played with this set of matching animal alphabet cards that I picked up from the clearance rack at the Dollar Store.
Free or cheap doesn’t matter – any match game will do during your preschool time!
How I Use Match Games in Our Homeschool
I have compiled a list of ways I use match games in our homeschool with various ages and stages. Download a match game or buy a cheap pack from the dollar store and add something new to your homeschool preschool time!
➡ When my children are around 2 years old:
We say the names of each picture together.
Sometimes I stack them and he enjoys pulling off the top card. Other times, I lay them out in groups of 4 or 6 and call out the name of an object.
He then points to it or picks up the cards. It’s a great way to increase vocabulary.
➡ When my children are around 3 – 3 1/2 years old:
Usually my kiddos are ready to start playing a ‘real’ matching game sometime during the 3 year old year.
I lay out half of the matching pairs one by one. My son finds pairs as I lay down the cards face up so he can see the picture.
If we play with the cards that have the words printed at the bottom, we go over beginning sounds.
I also play this memory-style with my 3 1/2 year old, but I only use 3 pairs of cards at the time. I choose 3 pairs, turn them face down so she can’t see the pictures, and we then play as a memory game.
➡ When my children are 5 and 6 years old (and older):
When my kiddos are past the preschool stage, we place all of the cards face down and play as a memory game. It’s a great opportunity to practice reading if we play with the set of cards that has the name of the pictures at the bottom of the card.
Sometimes I’ll choose 1 or 2 cards with easier names to copy during her handwriting time.
Printable Match Games
I have several match game sets here at Mama’s. Just choose a set, download and print, and go!
Super easy.
Several of these packets are 5+ years old and they are on my to-do list to update this winter! So stay tuned.
— Winter Clothes Match Game Packet
— Brown Bear, Brown Bear Match Game
— The Very Hungry Caterpillar Match Game
— Transportation Puzzle Cards for Preschoolers
Do you use match games with your children? What are your favorite ways to play?
Snowflake Bentley Children’s Book and Learning Ideas
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