Independence Day Matching

A fairly standard matching game using Independence Day symbols and facts!

I do two versions of this--one with simple picture matching for Junior and one with fact matching for Senior.

Supplies needed:

• For Junior: 8-10 pairs of Independence Day/USA themed pictures (Uncle Sam, flag, etc.)
• For Senior: 8-10 sets of matching facts. These are the ones I use:
• Statue of Liberty = Gift from France
• July 4th, 1776 = Adoption of the Declaration of Independence
• Inalienable Rights = Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
• National Motto = In God We Trust
• Sewed the First American Flag = Betsy Ross
• Paul Revere = One if by land, Two if by sea
• Star Spangled Banner = Francis Scott Key
• "This land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land" = 2 Nephi 10:11
• First National Capitol = Philadelphia
• corresponding number of squares of thick paper (to cover each of the pictures/facts)
• marker to label each paper square (1-20 or however many you have--makes it easier for the kids to pick which two they want to try to match)
• list of songs you want to sing (one song per pair)
• tape/pins to hang the pictures and covers

Set up:

1. Pin/tape your pictures/facts onto the board in nice, even columns and rows. Make sure to mix them up to make matches harder to find!
2. Cover each picture/fact with a square of paper, making sure the squares are in numerical order.

Game play:

1. Very simple--invite children to pick two squares, continuing to call on new children until a match is made. Once a match is made, sing the song and continue.
1. I always give the child the option to "ask the Primary" if there is a known match on the board and the child is unsure of where it is. 

Missing Halves

Another one that's just for Junior (to pair with a game that's just for Senior--I usually pair this one with Synonyms for Senior).

Supplies needed:

• 8-10 large pictures (I raid old 'Friend' magazines)
• thick construction paper (to mount the pictures on for added strength)
• scissors
• list of songs you want to sing (one song per picture--I like to try to make the pictures match the songs, like singing 'Nephi's Courage' for the picture on the right above)
• tape/pins to hang pictures on the board and around the room

Set up:

1. Glue/tape each picture to a piece of construction paper.
2. Cut each picture in two (make it fun--some squiggly cuts, some in different directions)
3. Put one half of each picture on the board and hang the other half somewhere in the Primary room.

Game play:

1. Tell the kids you need help finding the other half of your pictures.
2. Have a child find one of the halves in the room and bring it to the board to make a match.
3. Sing the song.

Noah's Ark Matching

A fairly standard matching game centered around the idea of Noah bringing the animals two by two into the ark.

Supplies needed:

• 8-10 pairs of animal pictures (I did one female, one male of each)
• corresponding number of squares of thick paper (to cover each of the pictures)
• marker to label each paper square (1-20 or however many you have--makes it easier for the kids to pick which two they want to try to match)
• list of songs you want to sing (one song per pair)
• tape/pins to hang the pictures and covers

Set up:

1. Pin/tape your animals onto the board in nice, even columns and rows. Make sure to mix them up to make matches harder to find!
2. Cover each animal with a square of paper, making sure the squares are in numerical order.

Game play:

1. Very simple--invite children to pick two squares, continuing to call on new children until a match is made. Once a match is made, sing the song and continue.
1. I always give the child the option to "ask the Primary" if there is a known match on the board and the child is unsure of where it is.