Free Printable Color Matching Game: 6 Pairs to Play

This printable color matching game includes six pairs of cards for an easy game at home or in a classroom. Each pair has its own color, shape and written label, so players can use more than color alone to find a match. Begin with the cards face up, then try a memory game when everyone knows the pictures.

Download and prepare the matching cards

The one-page PDF contains twelve cards: two red circles, two blue squares, two yellow triangles, two green rectangles, two orange ovals and two purple diamonds. Print on letter paper, or choose “fit to page” for A4. Cut around the card borders. An adult should handle cutting for children who need help.

Plain paper is enough for face-up matching. For memory play, use thicker paper or glue the cards onto identical pieces of opaque scrap card so the pictures do not show through. Keep the backs the same; different cereal-box pictures on the back would give the pairs away. You do not need to laminate the cards.

Start with three face-up pairs

Choose three pairs and spread the six cards on the table with their pictures visible. Pick up one card and invite a player to find its partner. Say what matches: “These both have a blue square.” Put completed pairs side by side. Add another pair when the smaller set feels familiar, rather than putting all twelve cards out immediately.

Turn it into a memory game

Shuffle an even set of complete pairs and arrange them face down in tidy rows. On each turn, a player turns over two cards. If the pictures match, leave the pair face up or move it to a shared pile. If they do not match, let everyone look before turning them back. Take turns until every pair is found.

Agree in advance whether finding a pair earns another turn. For a relaxed first game, give everyone one turn at a time. Younger players may prefer only two or three pairs. You can play together against the puzzle instead of keeping individual scores: the group’s goal is to find all the partners.

Try three useful variations

For a missing-card game, show three different cards, cover them and remove one. Uncover the remaining cards and ask which picture is missing. For a sorting game, arrange one card of each pair in a row and place its partner underneath. For a description game, describe a card without pointing: “I’m thinking of the shape with three sides.” Let children choose the clues they want to use.

Adapt the game for different players

Keep cards spaced far enough apart to turn without disturbing the row. If remembering locations feels frustrating, leave found cards face up or allow a player to peek at one card before choosing. For children who do not read, use the shape pictures. The labels are optional support, not a reading test.

If printing in grayscale, play by shape rather than color. Each pair still has the same picture and label. The printable is a matching game, not a complete lesson in color recognition; use real objects and conversation if you want to explore colors further.

Store it for another day

Check that all twelve cards are present before placing them in an envelope. Write “six pairs” on the outside so you know how many to find next time. For a more active group game, try our free animal charades cards. For another quiet table activity, use our counting cards and ten-frame mat.