DIY Nature Memory Match Game

Matching and memory games, such as this nature memory match game, can help kids and adults build and improve their memory, increase focus, and develop better recognition skills. Remember where the natural items are, and match them up to win this homemade nature memory game!

Create a fun and educational activity with a DIY Nature Memory Game—perfect for kids and adults! This hands-on project encourages players to explore the outdoors, collect natural items like leaves, flowers, and stones, and turn the natural treasures they find into a simple yet engaging memory-matching game. Remember where the natural items are, and pair them up to win this nature memory match game! You might also enjoy this list of board games for kids.

Playing this DIY nature memory game is an excellent way for kids and adults to exercise the brain and boost memory skills. It strengthens memory and concentration skills, builds vocabulary, and fosters a deeper connection with nature. Using items and natural treasures found in your backyard or outdoors in nature adds a hands-on sensory component to the game of memory that can help improve its brain-building power.

Whether used in a classroom, on a camping trip, or during a quiet afternoon at home, this game offers an easy and creative way to combine play with learning. Scroll down to learn how to set up and play this natural twist on the game of memory. Step-by-step instructions include several game variations with other creative options you can choose from in addition to natural treasures to play this memory-matching game. First published on March 18, 2016, this DIY memory-matching game tutorial is regularly updated and republished to improve the content. For more nature play ideas, look at this list of outdoor activities for kids.

How to Make Memory Matching Games with FREE Natural Materials

Memorization matching games like this nature memory game are fun and educational for children and adults. To make the classic game of memory more interesting, use natural items and treasures collected in the natural world to add a sensory play component. Manipulating pairs of natural items instead of cards with pictures gives the game of memory more hands-on appeal.

Educational matching games like this nature memory game can be played at home, in the classroom, on a play date, at the beach, on a camping trip, at a family picnic, or in a retirement home. Remember what’s in each box (or muffin tin), and match the natural objects to win! Scroll down for material options, variations, and step-by-step how-to instructions for setting up and playing this inventive nature memory game.

Related: How to Make and Keep a Nature Journal or Notebook

Memory Match Game Supplies:

• 6-12 Paper Mache Boxes (or more if you want to increase the challenge).
  • Alternatively, you can use muffin tins with pieces of cardstock or cupcake liners on top to hide the items inside from view.
• Three to six matching pairs of natural items.
  • See the variations and instructions below for more information.

Related: Sorting and Classifying Rocks

DIY Memory Matching Game Variations:

There are several creative ways to play nature memory-matching games. Using the creative ideas below, you will notice that you can use many different pairs of natural items to play memory games. Each variation includes a brief description of materials you can use to play the game of memory with natural materials.

Each option includes specific skills, examples, and educational learning objectives you can use. You will also notice that there are other materials you can use in pairs, such as small matching toys, in addition to nature’s treasures, to play memory-matching games on the list of options below:

DIY Memory Game Material Options:

• Use any pairs of natural items or use different types of flowers, leaves, rocks, etc.
  • Science and nature study activity for kids.
  • For example, different types of plants can be used in pairs to complement a botany lesson or unit study.
• Use seasonal items or items found in a specific place or biome.
  • For example, pair items from the beach, forest, desert, grassland, etc.
  • Alternatively, you can pair items found during a particular season, such as fall, spring, winter, or summer.
  • Science and nature study activity for kids.
• To add a hands-on sensory component to the game, encourage players to touch and explore the items found in each box.
• Invite players to describe the similarities and differences between the items during or after play.
  • Classification and science activity for kids.
• Use the same natural material in amounts from one to six in each box, and have the child count the number of items needed to make a match.
  • Math activity.
  • Example: 1 rock, two rocks, three rocks, etc.
• Use other small items to play this easy homemade memory match game. Some examples include:
  • DIY Rainbow peg dolls
  • Small animals or dinosaurs
  • Letters
  • Numbers
  • Pom poms
  • Toy cars
• You can also use paper mache boxes for this scent memory match game.

Related: The Best Nature Study Supplies for Kids

How to Set Up Nature Matching Games:

First, gather natural materials in your backyard or go on a nature hunt outdoors to find small natural items to put inside each box. You will need two of each item to have a complete pair to make a match.

You can also use any natural treasures you keep on your nature table or in your collection of natural materials for pretend play. Please do not use anything unsafe to touch or small toxic items if your child is still mouthing objects. When in doubt, leave it out.

Once you have collected at least three pairs of each natural item you will use to play the game, place one of each set into the 6-12 paper mache boxes, as shown in the photo below. Finally, place the lids or covers on the boxes and mix them up.

Related: Nature Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt

How to Play Nature Memory Matching Games:

Here’s a memory game (with natural materials) that can be played with one or two players. The directions for both memory match game versions follow:

Game of Memory Instructions (with a Natural Twist):

1. Place the memory match game boxes on the table into rows of boxes, as shown in the photographs.
   • Or, use a muffin tin with pieces of cardstock or cupcake liners covering the items in the tin.
2. The first (or only) player picks a box (or muffin tin) and opens it.
3. Select another box to match the item found in the first box.
   • It is against the rules to pick the box up to feel its weight or shake it.
   • A memory match game box can be picked up to explore the item inside only after opening the lid.
4. If the items inside the selected boxes (or muffin tins) match, the player that matches the pair gets to keep the boxes.
   • Place the boxes with the lids on the bottom (or remove the items from the muffin tins) and put them to the side so children can explore each match.
   • Allow children to take their time with each pair of natural objects before moving on and continuing the game of memory. This is how learning happens!
5. If the boxes selected do not match, put the lids back on the boxes (or cover the muffin tins) and keep them in the same place where they were initially found.
6. The idea is to try remembering the item in each box and where it is to make a match.
7. If you are playing matching games with two players, watch and remember the uncovered item and where it is during the other player’s turn.
8. Whenever a match is made during gameplay, the player who correctly identifies a pair gets to take another turn.
9. The memory match game ends when all the nature items are matched and paired.
10. The player with the most pairs of matched objects wins!

Related: 15 Open-Ended Toys for Pretend Play

Benefits of Playing Memory Matching Games with Natural Treasures:

Here’s a DIY Nature memory game, a memory match game, and a sensory activity in one fun game for kids or adults. Using natural materials, such as items found in nature, adds a sensory component to the game of memory that increases its brain-building power.

Homemade matching games, like this memory match game, can be played at home or in the classroom. Playing the game of memory with natural materials is perfect for homeschooling and Waldorf education. Due to its real-life applications, this nature memory game is also a fun Montessori-inspired sensorial activity for kids.

Playing the game of memory with nature’s treasures is also an excellent brain-boosting activity for aging adults. Games made to challenge memory skills, like memory matching games, are essential for the proper development and the continued health of the brain into late adulthood. Increased memory capacity can improve social skills and increase self-awareness and self-confidence in children and the aging community.

Free memory games like this nature memory match game can be played at home and in schools. Playing memory games can also help children and adults develop focus, memory, and recognition skills. Depending on how it’s played and what natural items are used, you can also use this DIY memory match game to teach simple math, increase vocabulary, and basic science concepts to toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary-aged students.

Related: 15 Reasons to Climb a Tree and Other Benefits of Risky Play

DIY Nature Memory Games for Kids and Adults:

This DIY nature memory match game is an educational matching game and sensory activity for kids. Matching games can help children and adults develop focus, memory, and recognition skills.

Like this nature memory match game, playing memory games can also boost brain development and help children develop the sensory system, improve social skills, increase self-awareness and self-confidence, and build memory skills.

You may also like outdoor activities for children or this list of social-emotional games that can help children understand their feelings and improve social-emotional development. You can also look at this list of self-regulation strategies for kids.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and creator of this original nature memory game and Rhythms of Play HERE!

If You Like Memory Games, You May Also Like

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• DIY Rainbow Peg Dolls for pretend play and matching games
• Nature Scavenger Hunt
• Popular Board Games for Family Game Night