Whether you’re a parent looking for a quick boredom buster or a teacher searching for a low-prep classroom game, this free printable fall matching game is perfect for bringing a little seasonal joy to your learning time.
In this post, I’m excited to share a free PDF download of my fall matching game that you can print, cut, and play right away.
It’s colorful, engaging, and, best of all, educational.
So grab your scissors, some cardstock (or a laminator if you have one), and get ready for some memory-boosting fun.
Why A Fall Matching Game Is Perfect For Kids?
The truth be told, matching games aren’t just fun; they’re an incredible tool for learning!
Whether your child is in preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary school, matching games can help build important skills such as:
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Memory and Concentration – Kids have to remember where they saw a picture and match it with its pair.
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Visual Discrimination – Identifying differences and similarities in the images sharpens observation skills.
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Problem-Solving – Matching games encourage strategic thinking and planning ahead.
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Vocabulary Building – This fall-themed game is a perfect chance to talk about pumpkins, acorns, leaves, and other seasonal items.
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Social Skills – When played in pairs or groups, kids practice taking turns and playing fair.
The beauty of this game is that it combines learning with fun, making it a win for both you and your kiddos.
What’s Included In This Free Printable?
Your free printable fall matching game comes with beautifully illustrated cards featuring fall-themed images kids love.
You’ll find:
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A bright autumn tree with falling leaves
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A classic orange pumpkin
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Autumn branches with berries
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A cute squirrel
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A friendly owl
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Colorful fall leaves
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Acorns
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A delicious pie
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A shiny red apple
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A bunch of red apples
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Golden fall foliage
Each image captures the cozy, colorful feel of the season, making it visually appealing for kids and perfect for autumn-themed learning activities.
How To Prepare The Game?
The game is designed to be super easy to set up.
Here’s how you can get it ready in just a few minutes:
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Download the PDF – You’ll find the link to the free download at the end of this post.
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Print the Pages Twice – You need two copies so that each image has a matching pair.
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Use Cardstock or Heavy Paper – This makes the cards more durable and easier for little hands to flip. However, if you just have regular paper at home or in school. That’s fine too!
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Laminate (Optional but Recommended) – If you want your game to last for years (or survive a busy classroom), laminating is a great idea.
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Cut the Cards – Use scissors or a paper cutter to trim along the black lines.
Once cut, you’re ready to play!
How To Play The Fall Matching Game?
The classic way to play is the traditional “memory” format:
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Shuffle all the cards and lay them face down in a grid.
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Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time.
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If the cards match, the player keeps the pair and takes another turn.
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If they don’t match, turn them face down again and let the next player try.
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Continue until all the cards are matched.
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The player with the most pairs at the end wins.
Tips For Playing With Different Age Groups
One of the best things about this game is that it’s adaptable to different ages and abilities.
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Preschoolers (Ages 3-4) – Use fewer cards to avoid overwhelming them. Start with just 4 pairs.
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Kindergarteners (Ages 5-6) – Play with the full set for more of a challenge.
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Early Elementary (Ages 7+) – Add a twist by introducing a timed challenge to see how fast they can match all the pairs.
Ideas For Using This Game In Your Classroom
If you’re a teacher, you’ll love how versatile this printable is for fall-themed lessons.
Here are some ways to incorporate it:
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Morning Centers – Have the game set up in a small group area for students to play during morning work.
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Quiet Time Activity – Perfect for early finishers or when you need a calm activity before transitioning to the next subject.
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Vocabulary Boost – Discuss each picture before playing, and ask students to use the word in a sentence.
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Math Integration – Have students count how many pairs they’ve found and compare who has more or fewer.
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Art Connection – After playing, encourage kids to draw their favorite fall object from the game.
Benefits For Homeschooling Parents
If you’re homeschooling, you’ll appreciate how this game can be used across multiple learning areas:
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Language Arts – Practice fall-related vocabulary.
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Math –Work on counting, comparing, and even basic addition (pairs collected).
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Fine Motor Skills – Flipping cards, handling them carefully, and placing them back helps strengthen little hands.
And since it’s printable, you can reuse it as often as you like, perfect for a multi-child household.
Make It Even More Fun!
If your kids love the game and you want to extend the activity, here are some fun variations:
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Storytelling Challenge – After matching a pair, the player has to make up a short story about the item.
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Sorting Game – Instead of matching, have kids sort the cards into categories (e.g., food, animals, nature).
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Scavenger Hunt – Hide the cards around the house or classroom and have kids find the pairs.
Why You’ll Love This Free Fall Matching Game?
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Low Prep – Just print, cut, and play.
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Seasonal Fun – A great way to bring fall into your home or classroom without spending money on store-bought games.
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Reusable – Once laminated, it’s ready for year after year of autumn play.
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Engaging for All Ages – Can be adapted for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids.
Download Your Free Printable
I’ve made it super simple for you to grab your copy of the Free Printable Fall Matching Game.
Just click on the link below, and you will access your PDF.
Free Printable Fall Matching Game (114 downloads )
Print it out twice, cut out the cards, and you’re ready to make some cozy fall memories with your kids or students.
Free Printable Fall Matching Game
Fall is such a magical time for kids with colorful leaves, crisp air, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures.
This Free Printable Fall Matching Game is one of those little things that can bring a smile to their faces while also sneaking in some valuable learning.
Whether you’re a parent looking for an afternoon activity or a teacher planning a seasonal classroom center, this game will be a hit.
More Fall Fun Activities
Keep the fun going this fall with these fun activities:
- Free I Spy fall printables for preschoolers
- 25 fall trivia questions for kids with answers
- Preschool fall activities
- Fall feelings activities for kids
Pin This Fall-Themed Matching Memory Game
Make sure to save this game to your fall activities Pinterest board, so that you can easily find it. And while on Pinterest, please consider following me on the platform. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks. Anna.
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