DIY Olympic Memory Game
This Olympic Memory Game is a fun printable activity that helps kids celebrate the Olympic Games while building focus, concentration, and memory skills. Children can match Olympic-inspired symbol cards, talk about different sports, and even create their own extra cards for favorite events not included in the printable.
It is a simple classroom activity, rainy day project, or quiet-time game for kids who are excited about the Olympics.
Fun Facts
The ancient Olympic Games began in Olympia, Greece, around 776 BC. They were held in honor of the Olympian gods and continued for nearly 12 centuries.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Today, the Olympics bring athletes from all over the world together to compete, celebrate teamwork, and represent their countries.
Supplies
- Card stock or heavy weight paper
- Printer
- Scissors
- Construction paper, optional
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils, optional
Instructions
- Print two copies of the Olympic symbol cards onto card stock or heavy paper.
- If you are using regular printer paper, glue or mount the printed cards onto construction paper before cutting them out. This will help keep the pictures from showing through when the cards are placed face down.
- Cut out each card carefully.
- Choose the number of matching pairs based on the child’s age and skill level. Younger children may want to start with fewer cards, such as 6 to 9 pairs. Older children can use the full set for more of a challenge.
- Place all cards face down in rows.
- Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If the cards match, they stay face up. If they do not match, turn them face down again and try to remember where each symbol was.
- Keep playing until all of the Olympic memory card matches have been found.
- For extra fun, invite kids to design their own memory cards using symbols for their favorite Olympic sports.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on the pattern to open the Olympic Memory Game printable in a new window and print.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this Olympic Memory Game as a simple classroom activity during an Olympics unit. After playing, ask students to choose one symbol and identify the sport or event it might represent.
Older students can research one Olympic sport and write a few sentences about its rules, equipment, or history. Younger children can talk about teamwork, good sportsmanship, and what it means to try your best.
You can also turn this into a geography activity by having students choose an Olympic country, find it on a map, and color its flag.
Supplies
Instructions
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
