This easy-to-prep monster match game is perfect as part of your Halloween activities for preschoolers and kindergartners.
The Halloween memory game uses printable “monster” cards that are not scary in the least. That way, the kids can focus on exploring visual discrimination and other early literacy skills.
You can use the printable monster cards for a variety of activities, too. Once the kids have played the matching game, try a few other ideas with the cards.
Related: Free Preschool Printables
October is a fun time to break out some monster fun in preschool. Here’s a simple monster-themed Halloween matching game kids of different levels can enjoy. You can make adjustments to how the cards are used based on your students’ needs and interests.
Monster Match Game
These printable monster cards can be used a variety of ways, with kids of different ages. You could make them into a Halloween matching game for a small group, or turn the cards into a simple monster busy bag for the children.
How to Prep the Halloween Matching Game
You can get the monster match game ready to go quickly. That means you can play it with the kids tomorrow if you want to!
Related: Homemade Games for Kids
First, grab your materials. Here’s what we used (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Monster matching cards (request at the bottom of this post)
- Printer
- Laminating pouches
- Laminator
Then it’s time to get the monster matching game prepped for the kids! First, print out multiple copies of the “monster” pages. Be sure to print out the cards best suited to your students. Cut the cards apart.
Then laminate the cards so they last through multiple games. If you want, you can back the cards on construction paper to make them even more durable.
How to Use the Monster Match Game Printable
I think the Halloween matching cards are perfect for a game of memory! First, decided which cards you want to use with the kids. This is going to depend on your students ages and needs, and what you want them focused on during the game.
To practice visual discrimination, print multiple versions of the picture-only cards. This keeps the children focused on matching identical monsters.
To practice visual discrimination and touch on letter-sound correspondence, use both the picture-only cards and the picture-word cards. Or use the picture-only and word-only cards together during the game.
To focus solely on written text, make multiple copies of the word-only cards. Your students focus in on matching the words that are identical with this version of the game.
Once you’ve decided which cards to use during the game, it’s time to set it up. Make sure you start out with multiple pairs of cards. Then place them in an even-numbered grid pattern. We set ours up three across and four down, which was a total of 12 cards and 6 pairs.
Explain and model how to play the monster match game if your students haven’t played memory before. Player 1 turns over one card and identifies it. Then they turn over a second card and identify it. If the two cards match, Player 1 keeps them. Otherwise, the cards are turned back over in their same spots. The next player does the same. Keep playing until all of the cards are done. The goal is to try and remember where the cards are, even when the cards are turned over.
Other Ideas for the Monster Match Printable
As I mentioned earlier, there are other ways of using the monster match game printable. Here are a few more ideas to try as you see fit:
- Pair a set of the picture-word cards with magnetic letters to encourage children to make the words with the letters.
- Set the cards in your writing center to encourage stories and labeled pictures.
- Pair the cards with a simple sensory writing tray.
- Hide the cards in a monster-themed sensory bin. Challenge the children to find all of the matches as they dig through the sensory materials.
- Ask the kids to come up with their very own game using the printable monster cards.
- Integrate the cards into a whole group game. While everyone’s eyes are closed, hide one of the monster cards. Give the children clues to find them.
Once the children are familiar with how to play, you can keep the matching game out for use during center time. That way the children can independently practice the concepts or play with some of their peers.
You and your students will probably come up with even more ideas for the monster match game printable! If you do, be sure to leave me a comment below.
More Monster Activities for Kids
This simple monster match would be perfect to use after reading Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems! Click on the links below for more activities based on the book, as well as additional monster-themed activities:
- Play Dough Monsters
- Monster Slime
- Paint Chip Monsters
- Monster Shape Mats
- Monster Collage
- Leonardo the Terrible Monster Craft Game
- Monster Play Dough
Monster Lesson Plans
Let Preschool Teacher 101 save you a ton of time with done-for-you early childhood resources. We have hundreds of lesson plans, classroom management guides, circle time songs, and so much more. Be sure to check out The Pack, our membership for preschool and kindergarten teachers. Our members have access to the resources at an even steeper discount.
I think the monster match game would be fun during a monster theme! Take a look at our Monster Lesson Plans by clicking on the image below:
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Get Your Free Monster Match Game Printable
The monster match game cards are available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download links will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Then you’ll receive the printable as a welcome gift!
If you can’t see the above form, open it here in a new tab.
Originally published October 2015.
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