Make Your Own Matching Game

What You Need:

• 16 craft sticks
• Markers in 4 or more colors, inlcuding black

What You Do:

1. Set the crafts sticks side by side on a table, going vertically across.
2. Help learners carefully draw a bold, black line across the center of the sticks.
3. Have them draw a different pattern on each half of the sticks. They can use patterns such as dots, stripes, plaid, or checks, or try making one side a solid color, the other side a pattern. Even a simple picture like a smiley face will work. Make sure each stick has an identical match—another stick with a matching top and bottom.
4. Mix the sticks up together and place them in front of the learner. Challenge them to match each stick with the right pair.

When they're done, talk to them about the different patterns you drew. Help them name the patterns, and see if they can find the same patterns anywhere else in your house!