Christmas matching cards
Match Santa with his sleigh, a snowman with a carrot nose, or milk with cookies for Santa. The printable list above gives you 29 Christmas pairs to turn into separate cards. Start with a few pairs face up for younger children, or turn the cards face down for memory. Below are preparation instructions, rules by age and three games for a class or party.
What is in the Christmas pair list?
These are partner pairs, rather than two identical pictures: each card matches one related card. The four groups cover characters, things around the house, kitchen treats and winter weather. Show players the intended partners before shuffling so they know, for example, that the star goes with the treetop.
The list contains 29 pairs, enough for 58 separate cards if you use every idea. You can also pick 26 pairs for a 52-card game, or fewer for a shorter game. Choose pairs your guests recognize; explain unfamiliar names before playing.
Use Print all 29 above to print the pair list, or the picker to get one pair idea at a time. Each printed entry contains both names. It is a reference list, not a ready-to-cut illustrated deck or a download of separate cards. For another printable activity, browse printable party games; keep the rules and supply notes with whichever game you choose.
Prepare separate cards for each pair
Make two cards per pair, with one partner on each card. For Santa and his sleigh, that means a Santa card and a separate sleigh card. Use drawings for children who cannot read; printed words alone need a reader’s help.
- Print the pair list and select 6, 12, 26 or all 29 pairs. Keep the list as your answer key.
- Mark equal squares on card stock. Try 6-by-6-centimeter cards cut from 200 gsm stock; if printing on the stock, check that your printer accepts it. Page count depends on your paper and layout.
- Write one partner name on each card and add a simple drawing if needed. Do not put both partners on the same playing card.
- Cut the squares, then trim about 5 millimeters from the corners if you want to soften them. This is a manual cutting suggestion, not a supplied cutting template.
- Check that every card has its partner and that all backs look alike. If the front shows through, use opaque backing; an identical stamp on each back can identify your set but does not make thin paper opaque.
- Bag 12 pairs for the starter game and store the remaining cards in a labeled envelope. For multiple tables, prepare a separate set for each game.
- Before guests arrive, lay out the selected cards, put your answer key nearby and show helpers one sample turn. Keep younger children’s cards face up.
You can do the drawing and cutting ahead of time rather than during the party. If guests will make their own cards, craft-party table preparation can help you arrange supplies and put finished cards aside.
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How to play Christmas memory
Shuffle complete pairs and lay them face down. Let the youngest player start, then take turns clockwise.
- Turn over exactly two cards so everyone can see them. Name both, or have a reader help.
- If they are partners, keep the pair and take another turn. Santa and his sleigh count; Santa and a snowman do not.
- If they do not match, turn both face down in the same places and pass the turn to the next player.
- Finish when the last pair is collected. Count pairs; the player with the most wins. Tied players can share the win.
Wait until both cards are visible before offering help. Agree beforehand whether players can suggest a match; for a cooperative round, everyone can help collect the whole set instead of keeping individual scores.
A face-up game for ages 2–3
Start with 6 pairs: 12 cards, all face up. Ask the child to find two that belong together, and let a buddy name them. For example, point to the snowman and ask which card shows his nose. Use familiar drawings and skip scoring. The age ranges here are suggestions; adjust to the child.
A starter memory game for ages 4–6
Use 12 pairs: 24 cards, in a 4-by-6 grid. Show the partners first, then shuffle. With mixed ages, a younger child and a reader can take turns as one team. Start face up if finding the partners is still the main challenge.
A larger game for ages 7 and up
Choose 26 pairs: 52 cards, arranged in 4 rows of 13, or use all 29 pairs: 58 cards, in any layout with room to see each card. Add pairs only when the players want a longer game. For a shorter rematch, remove four complete pairs before reshuffling; never remove just one half.
For an optional activity after a tie, stand collected cards upright and try to build the tallest card tower. Use it as a separate activity if the children enjoy building; it tests balancing rather than memory. For other seated games, see quiet party games.
Three games for a class or party
For 24 players, make three groups of eight and prepare a separate set at each table. At the memory table, the eight players can form four buddy teams to reduce the number of turns they wait through. A party of 12 can use three groups of four. Eight players taking individual turns may have a long wait, so try buddy teams first.
Have a helper explain each table, especially where children need help reading. Keep an adult with the youngest group for its face-up game. If you cannot cover three tables, play one game together instead; Christmas games for families offers other formats for the group and room.
Table 1: Memory
Use the rules above with the number of pairs that suits the group. Buddy teams agree on two cards and alternate who turns them over. At the end of the timed round, count collected pairs even if cards remain. Reset the grid for the next group.
Table 2: Speed match
Give each team 8 complete pairs: 16 cards, shuffled face up. For eight players, use two teams of four, each with its own set. On “go,” teams sort their cards into the eight intended pairs. Check against the answer key; the first team with all eight correct wins. Shuffle for another round. For a gentler version, sort together without racing.
Table 3: Ask a neighbor
For eight players, use 12 pairs: 24 cards and deal three cards to each player. Keep hands hidden, but let a buddy help with names. Players first put down any complete pairs already in their hands.
Take turns clockwise. Ask one player for the partner of a card you hold: “Do you have Santa’s sleigh?” If they have it, they give it to you and you put down the pair. If they do not, keep your cards. Either way, pass the turn; there is no draw pile in this version. Players with empty hands sit out while the others continue. Finish when all pairs are down, or at the timer; count completed pairs and share tied wins. For four players, use six pairs and deal three cards each.
An example 26-minute table rotation
Explain the rules and seat the groups before starting this example. Three eight-minute rounds plus two one-minute moves total 26 minutes. Each group visits all three games; the final round needs no move afterward. Allow longer moves if helpers need time to reset cards.
- 0:00–0:08 — First game. Group A plays memory, B plays speed match and C plays ask a neighbor.
- 0:08–0:09 — Move and reset. A goes to speed match, B to ask a neighbor and C to memory.
- 0:09–0:17 — Second game. Play at the new tables; helpers reset finished rounds as needed.
- 0:17–0:18 — Move and reset. A goes to ask a neighbor, B to memory and C to speed match.
- 0:18–0:26 — Third game. Finish the last visit, count completed pairs and gather each set into its bag.
Stop at the agreed signal rather than trying to finish every deck. If a group prefers one game, you can skip the rotation and play it again.
Notes for preparing your game
Use these blank fields when printing the guide. Prepare cards earlier in the week, sort starter sets the night before and lay out each table before guests arrive.
Pairs selected: ____________________ Separate cards needed: ____________________
Drawing and cutting helper: ____________________ Cards ready by: ____________________
| Table | Game and number of pairs | Helper | Supplies or setup notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ____________________ | ____________________ | ____________________ |
| 2 | ____________________ | ____________________ | ____________________ |
| 3 | ____________________ | ____________________ | ____________________ |
Starter pairs stored in: ____________________ Extra sets stored in: ____________________
First round starts: ____________________ Finish time: ____________________
What to play after matching
Choose the next activity by what guests want to do, rather than putting every printable on the table:
- Keep everyone seated: Christmas picture bingo is another picture-based game. For readers who want pencils instead of cards, try Christmas word games.
- Get ready for dinner: Clear the card grid and consider Christmas activity placemats for something to do at each seat while waiting.
- Make something: The Christmas paper puppet kit offers character ideas for a craft and a small show.
- Take a turn acting: Christmas acting cards provide easier and harder prompts for mixed ages.
- Offer an activity without scores or turns: Use low-demand party activities to find an optional activity guests can join or leave.
For the rest of the gathering, browse seasonal party ideas. If the group wants a different sort of game altogether, the party games guide helps you consider space, guests and supplies.
Christmas matching card questions
Does the print button give me separate picture cards?
No. It prints the 29 text pair entries shown above. Make one separate card for each partner and add drawings for non-readers. This page does not include a ready-to-cut illustrated download, fixed card-size print layout or guaranteed two-sheet deck.
How many cards should I prepare?
Make two cards for each chosen pair: 12 cards for six pairs, 24 for twelve, 52 for twenty-six or 58 for all twenty-nine. For three simultaneous tables, prepare separate sets according to each game’s rules; one shared deck cannot serve all three at once.
Can toddlers play without reading?
They can match six pairs face up if you add recognizable pictures and have a buddy name the partners. The printed text list alone is not a picture deck. Start with fewer pairs if needed and leave out competition.
How do partner pairs work in memory?
Show the intended partners before playing. On each turn, reveal two cards. Keep them and play again if they belong together; otherwise return them face down to their original places and pass the turn clockwise. Most collected pairs wins, or everyone can collect the pairs together.
How long does the three-table rotation take?
The example takes 26 minutes after the rules are explained: three eight-minute rounds and two one-minute moves. Allow extra time for instructions, slower moves or resetting sets. You can also play one game without changing tables.