We have all been matching our outfits or even the color of the bag to that of the water bottle. Matching, color coordination, or doing things in pairs is a common occurrence in everyday life. While matching shapes or colors seems fundamental for kids, it also helps them analyze numbers, shape formats, different words, and other important elements.
Introducing the concept of matching in early childhood helps little learners observe and analyze similarities and differences between different things. Besides offering textbook exercises, online games can be of great help to teachers and parents.
Since the games are visually appealing and interactive, kids get an opportunity to not only practice matching but also strengthen their hand-eye coordination. Games also help kids focus on learning while enhancing motor skills, which quite often are affected by learning disabilities like dyscalculia. The below-mentioned online games can act as helpful tools for teachers and parents.
Engaging matching games for kids
Interesting ways of learning always help students engage with the subject matter. Given below are online games that offer a comprehensive platform for learning and improving other significant skills too.
1. Match Pictures to Words
A visually appealing matching game is a helpful way to teach the concept of matching to little learners. With a favorable user interface, the game is easy to play. This online game purely focuses on matching the pictures with their respective words. For example, if students are shown a picture of a duck, they need to match it with the word duck.
To play this game, students need to choose the level of difficulty divided into easy and normal. Different pictures are given on the left and words are given on the right. To match it correctly, they need to simply drag the picture to its correct word. If it is right, the game is appreciated with encouraging words.
While students learn about matching, the game develops visual processing skills too. Students get to connect with actual pictures and understand their meanings too.
2. Color Game
Matching is quite ordinary in the everyday life of a student. But, this game changes the learning experience as it triggers the brain to identify the right colors and put them in their correct boxes. It is visually attractive and also acts as a brain teaser in different shades of colors.
To play this game, students need to click on the start button, and the game begins. The game begins with many elements mixed in a closed format on the top. It includes various images of animals, elements of nature, and other colorful objects. The game has 5 different boxes below – Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Students need to match the right image with that of the box. For example, if the image is of a blue bird, the bird needs to be dragged in the blue box.
While students learn to match elements with colors, they also get an opportunity to understand a thin line between the colors orange and red. Such a matching game increases focus and helps with color recognition.
3. The Number Match
A simple yet visually appealing online game about numbers is sure a brain teaser for little learners. It has a simple user interface and helps students match the correct answers.
As the game begins, a number is displayed on the screen. There are 3 different options given on the right side. These options are jumbled, creating a bit of a challenge to match with the bigger number. For example, if the number 1 is displayed, students need to select the number 1 from the options to match them correctly.
While the game offers matching numbers, it increases focus and builds concentration in younglings. The numbers are easy. However, due to the difference in their sizes and 3 options, students get a chance to think critically and quickly think of an answer.
4. Match the Letters
Learning alphabets is fun, but matching alphabets sure happens to be a game changer in learning. This online game focuses on small and big letter alphabets in a subtle manner.
As the game begins, students are shown different tiles of bigger letter alphabets. Small letter alphabet tiles are displayed on the bottom part. Students now need to match similar alphabets by dragging. Here, they need to drag the alphabet k to the big letter alphabet K. After the first set is done, another different set is presented for matching.
At times, students might get confused between two different letter alphabets. In such cases, this game offers to match the right pairs and at the same time, learn about the alphabet too.
5. Number Matching Game
Numbers are fundamentals of math, and this online game is a combination of numbers and matching them. The online game focuses on increasing concentration and counting skills.
As the game begins, students are presented with different tiles. The tiles are placed in a way that represents small balls in the first tile and a digit in the second tile, and the pattern goes for the entire placement of tiles. Here, students first need to count the balls in the tile and tap on them. Next, they need to tap on the tile, which represents the digit of the balls. If there are seven balls, they need to click on the seven balls and then on the tile showing the number 7.
With the usage of such an online game, students not only match the numbers correctly, but they also get an opportunity to count and increase analytical thinking skills. The easy user interface is an added advantage for little learners.
6. Word Matching Game
Vocabulary is an essential part of everyday learning, and through word-matching games, it becomes easy to improve this skill. The game offers a combination of images and words, making it interesting for kids.
As the game begins, different pictures are shown on the top of the game. Different words are written below in a vertical format, along with blank tiles beside them. Here, students need to check the images and drag them toward the matching words. For example, if the word is red, then students need to drag the image of a red crayon toward the blank tile next to the word.
The quiz format of the game then offers a submit button where students can view the number of correct and incorrect answers. They also get to see scores thereby creating a competitive learning environment. Such a game allows visual skills and enhances imagination.
7. Match Cards
Matching different pictures with words indeed helps students recognize their relations. At times, young learners might know the image but not know the correct word for it. This matching game focuses on strengthening vocabulary.
As the game begins, students select any level which they want to play. Click on the play button to start the game. The game starts with a word and 3 options are given below the word. Students need to drag the right image toward the word for a correct match. For example, if the word is hat, they need to drag the image of a hat toward the word.
The game also reads out the word thereby strengthening listening skills in students. Also, the game calculates scores so students can evaluate their mistakes.
8. Shape Matching Game
While students learn to match words and numbers, learning about shapes is also a significant part of learning. This online game focuses on matching shapes with their respective shadows.
To play this game, students need to click on the start button where they shall have 3 options to choose from. They can choose to match geometric shapes or animals. The third option is matching the image in a puzzle format. With 3 such options, students can also select the number of geometric shapes they want to match. For example, if they select 7, 7 different shapes will be shown on the screen with their shadows. Simply by analyzing shadows, they need to drag the shape toward the shadow.
Since this online game provides 3 different games, it offers a diversified learning experience to students. They also develop imagination and visual-spatial skills as they recognize shapes, animals, and even puzzles.
9. Color Matching – Match By Name
Colors are part and parcel of learning as students generally interact with various colors throughout their academic journey. This online game helps little learners identify and match colors either by recognizing or listening.
As the name begins, students are given two options wherein they can either match colors with a name or match colors by a specific color. In the first part, the name of the color is displayed on the screen and 4 different colors are displayed below. For example, if the color name is green, they need to select a square filled with the green color.
In the second part, color is displayed on the top and 4 different colors are displayed below. Here, they need to identify the same color and click on that to form the match. Such an online game increases creativity and strengthens the color recognition ability of little learners.
10. Matching Pic to Word
Recognizing words and images seems an easy task, however, little learners might also need some boost in understanding the concept. Through this matching game, kids get an opportunity to understand words and match them correctly with the images.
As the game begins, students are shown different images on the right and three-word options on the left. For example, if the image is of a pencil, they need to select the right option from the given words. The game does not proceed if they do not match the correct word with the image.
Little learners are more likely to understand and connect with words when imagery is given in front of the screen. The game creates relatability with words through an easy interface.
Wrapping up
Online matching games are not always designed just for one skill enhancement. Through online games, students get an opportunity to improve concentration and hand-eye coordination. Teachers and parents should note that online games must have a dedicated time that aligns with their learning needs. These online games can also be used as learning methodologies in the classroom for a diversified learning experience.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn