Thanksgiving matching cards
Match turkey with wishbone, pie with whipped cream, or a leaf pile with its rake. The printable list above gives you 24 partner pairs to turn into 48 separate playing cards. Start with a few pairs face up for younger children, play memory with a face-down grid, or count your flips as a team.
The print control prints the written pair list. It does not supply separate illustrated cards or a backing page. Below are the preparation instructions, rules and grid notes you can keep with your cards.
What is in the Thanksgiving pair list?
The four groups cover the Thanksgiving table, harvest, parade sights and things after dinner. These are partner pairs, rather than two identical pictures: a turkey card matches a wishbone card, and a pie card matches a whipped-cream card.
Use Print all 24 above to print the reference list, or Draw another pair to select one example. Each entry names both partners. Keep the list as your answer key while preparing and playing with separate cards.
Show everyone the intended matches before shuffling. Some pairs, such as a marching band and “six blocks of warning,” need an explanation or a drawing that makes the connection clear. For a younger group, start with familiar food or harvest pairs instead.
If you want to repeat the game at another holiday, the Christmas matching cards and Halloween matching cards pages provide different partner lists and their own preparation notes.
Prepare separate cards for each pair
Make two cards per pair, with one partner on each card. For turkey and wishbone, draw or write turkey on one card and wishbone on another. Children who are not reading need drawings or someone to help name the cards.
The suggested materials are 200 gsm card stock, a ruler, a paper trimmer or scissors, and markers. Try 6-by-6-centimeter squares. The number of sheets depends on your paper size and layout; this page does not provide the earlier four-sheet card layout or leaf-pattern reverse.
- Select 6, 10, 12 or all 24 complete pairs and print the list as your answer key.
- Mark equal squares on the card stock. If printing your own faces on it, check that your printer accepts the stock and that the layout fits its printable area.
- Put one partner on each card. Add simple drawings for non-readers; do not put both partners on the same playing card.
- Cut the squares and snip the corners round if you prefer. Keep the cards the same size and shape.
- Check that every card has its partner. Keep all backs alike, and check whether the front shows through when a card is face down. Use opaque backing if needed; a decorative pattern alone may not hide the front.
- Bag each set with the answer key, grid notes and a pencil. Prepare one set per table; two sets let 12 players play in two groups.
You can do the drawing and cutting before Thanksgiving. If children will help make their own cards, the craft-party activities guide covers preparing supplies and arranging help. Keep the rules with the finished set, as suggested in printable party games, so another adult can start a round.
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How to play Thanksgiving memory
Choose the grid for the youngest player who will play independently, then adjust it if finding the partners is difficult. These ages are suggested starting points, not requirements. Select complete pairs before shuffling so no card is left without its partner.
| Suggested players | Pairs and cards | Grid |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 3–4 | 6 pairs, 12 cards | 3 rows of 4; start face up if helpful |
| Ages 5–6 | 10 pairs, 20 cards | 4 rows of 5 |
| Ages 7 and up | 24 pairs, 48 cards | 6 rows of 8, if there is room |
- Show the selected pairs, shuffle and lay the cards face down.
- On each turn, turn over exactly two cards so everyone can see them. Name both partners, or ask a reader to help.
- If they belong together, keep the pair and take another two-card turn.
- If they do not match, return both face down in the same places and pass the turn to the left.
- Finish when the last pair is collected. The player with the most pairs wins.
For a tie, share the win or agree on the source game’s optional tiebreak before starting: give each tied player 30 seconds to name the partners in their collected pairs and compare correct answers. Skip that extra test if the group would rather shuffle for a rematch.
For a different seated picture game, see Thanksgiving picture bingo. Check its materials before the gathering and arrange for someone to call the pictures.
Play face up or work together
Find six pairs face up
Spread six familiar pairs picture-up. Ask a child to find two that belong together, such as pie and whipped cream, and let a buddy name them. You can use the six Thanksgiving-table pairs or select easier ones from different groups.
Leave out scoring while children learn the partners. When they want another challenge, try those same 12 cards face down in a 3-by-4 grid.
Try to find all 24 pairs in 60 flips
For the cooperative game, the whole table works toward one result instead of keeping individual pairs. Lay all 48 cards face down and follow the memory rules, with everyone allowed to help remember positions.
Count each card turned over as one flip. A two-card turn uses two flips, whether it finds a pair or not. The challenge is to collect all 24 pairs in 60 flips or fewer. The minimum is 48 flips, so this is a demanding target: six missed two-card turns use the remaining 12 flips.
Write down the total even if the team goes over 60, then try to beat it next time. For a smaller practice game, use fewer complete pairs and compare totals between rounds played with the same number of cards.
Leave missed cards face up
The source’s open-pair variation is an optional game for three to five players. Agree on these house rules before starting: take turns revealing up to two face-down cards, leave unmatched cards visible, and let the first person to spot two visible partners claim them. A claimed pair ends the turn; pass left.
This changes the game from remembering positions to spotting partners. Use ordinary turn-taking memory instead if several players calling at once makes the round difficult to follow.
Play at the dinner table
The suggested dinner layout uses 12 pairs in a 4-by-6 grid. With 6-centimeter cards, that needs at least 24 by 36 centimeters before gaps. Check the space left by plates, glasses and serving dishes rather than assuming it will fit between two place settings.
If space is tight, use six complete pairs or move the game to a side table. Keep a bag beside the cards so you can put the set away when food is ready. A four-player children’s table can use one set, with younger children and readers playing as partners if helpful.
For 12 guests, prepare two sets and use two tables. You could offer eight-minute rounds with rematches on request; that is a suggested time limit, not a promise that every grid will be finished. Count collected pairs if you stop a competitive round before the final match.
A willing child can keep the flip count or scores every third round. Offer that job rather than assigning it only to the player who lost. For other seated activities that pause easily, browse quiet party games.
Grid and score notes to keep with the cards
Print these notes with the rules and put them in the bag. The grid reminder lets a helper lay out the cards without finding the age table again.
Grid reminder: 6 pairs = 3 rows of 4; 10 pairs = 4 rows of 5; 24 pairs = 6 rows of 8. Dinner-table option: 12 pairs = 4 rows of 6.
Table or group: ____________________________________
Pairs selected: __________ Cards prepared: __________
Rows: __________ Cards in each row: __________
Game: _____________________________________________
Helper or scorekeeper: ______________________________
| Round | Player or team | Pairs collected | Total flips, if counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| __________ | ____________________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | ____________________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | ____________________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | ____________________ | __________ | __________ |
Notes for the next round: ____________________________
Prepare the cards ahead of time, check the pairs and backs once they are cut, then lay out your chosen grid before players sit down. The Thanksgiving activities while the turkey cooks guide can help you arrange games alongside crafts and paper activities during the longer wait before dinner.
More Thanksgiving games to print
Keep the matching cards for another round, or bring out an activity that asks guests to do something different:
- Thanksgiving acting cards provide prompts for guests who want a guessing game with performances.
- Thanksgiving word games offer scrambles, a word search and other word activities for readers or pairs with a reader.
- Thanksgiving games for the family include seated games and activities away from the table, with rules and supplies to check before choosing.
- Disguise a turkey gives children a drawing or craft project. Prepare the turkey bases and chosen materials before starting.
Thanksgiving matching card questions
Does printing this page give me 48 separate cards?
No. Print all 24 prints the written partner list with both names in each entry. Prepare two separate cards for each pair. This page does not supply illustrated card faces, a fixed four-sheet layout or a leaf-pattern backing page.
How many cards do I need for six players?
One full set contains 24 pairs, or 48 separate cards, and can serve four to six players. You can use fewer complete pairs for a shorter round. For 12 players, prepare two sets and use two tables.
What size should I make the cards?
Try 6-by-6-centimeter squares on 200 gsm card stock. These are suggested preparation measurements, not a supplied cutting template. Check that your printer accepts the stock if you plan to print on it; sheet count depends on your paper and layout.
How does the face-up game work?
Set six familiar pairs face up and ask the child to find two that belong together, such as turkey and wishbone. Use drawings and let a buddy name the partners. Try the same 12 cards face down in a 3-by-4 grid when the child wants another challenge.
How do we count the 60-flip challenge?
Count each card turned over as one flip, including cards that make a match. A two-card turn uses two flips. The team tries to collect all 24 pairs in 60 flips or fewer; 48 flips is the minimum possible total.
Will the dinner-table grid fit between place settings?
Check the available space first. A 4-by-6 grid of 6-centimeter cards needs at least 24 by 36 centimeters before gaps. Use fewer complete pairs or a separate table if plates and serving dishes leave less room.