MEMORY GAMES FOR THE CLASSROOM

Are you looking for fun and engaging ways to help your students improve their memory skills? If so, you’ll want to try out some of these memory games for the classroom. These activities are not only fun, but they also help students learn how to focus and pay attention to detail. You may be surprised at just how beneficial they can be!

WHAT ARE MEMORY GAMES FOR THE CLASSROOM?

Memory games for the classroom are activities designed to help students improve their memory skills. Use these learning games to help students remember information for tests and quizzes, or simply to help them improve their overall memory capacity. Play memory games individually or in groups, and adapt them to any age group or level of ability.

BENEFITS OF MEMORY GAMES FOR THE CLASSROOM

There are a number of benefits for students when they play memory games. These games can help:

• sharpen memory skills
• increase focus and concentration.
• to review material.
• increase motivation and fun!

TIPS WHEN USING MEMORY GAMES FOR THE CLASSROOM

If you’re interested in using memory games for the classroom, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. It’s important to choose games that are appropriate for your students’ age group and ability level.
2. Be sure to provide clear instructions and demonstrations so that students know what they need to do.
3. Give students ample time to practice the game before using it as an assessment tool.

Also, remember to have fun! You may remember some of these games from your own childhood!

WHAT BRAIN GAMES HELP WITH MEMORY?

Using brain games, you can stimulate your students’ thinking and also help improve their memories. Getting students to use their cognitive skills is never a bad thing! Here are some ideas:

Memory/Concentration Game

Memory or Concentration is a classic memory game that can be played with any number of players. The object of the game is to remember objects that you see. Put a bunch of objects on a tray, and wait 30 seconds. Take the objects away, and see how many students can remember. For more fun, check out some of the variations and benefits of this game.

Brainteasers

Brainteasers are another type of memory game that can be used to improve brain function and problem-solving skills. Brainteasers often involve solving puzzles or riddles. They can be played individually or in groups, and they are usually adaptable to any age group or level of ability. Try this Cats and Dogs Activity for some entertaining brainteasers.

Puzzles

Another great way for students to use their memories and also use their minds, is by completing a puzzle. Puzzles can be found in a variety of different formats, including board games, computer games, and even apps.

Some traditional board puzzles are designed for older kids, but you can also find simpler ones for younger students. Try puzzles with sounds and big pictures for younger kids, and ones with lots of pieces for more advanced kids. These visual-spatial memory puzzles are a fun challenge.

WORD-BASED MEMORY GAMES

You can also focus on words using memory games. These games are great for students’ literacy development. They can be used to help students learn new vocabulary words, review spelling words, or just enhance their overall memory and literacy skills.

Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a classic memory game that review a variety of different topics. Crosswords are fun individually or in groups, and you can adapt them to any age group or level of ability. Students have to remember and review their vocabulary words to complete the puzzle.

Bingo

A fun memory game that can be used to review a variety of different topics is Bingo. Kids have to remember what you called while they look for it on their board. Bingo can be played with a large group of students, and it is adaptable to any age group or ability.

Word Memory

Play this game with a list of words. The object of the game is to remember as many words on the list as possible. To play, simply write down a list of words on a piece of paper. Once the list is complete, have students take turns looking at the list, and then they can write down as many words as they can remember. The student with the most words at the end of the game wins! You can also use pictures and see what you can remember.

Word Association

This game also uses a list of words, but instead of trying to remember all of the words on the list, students associate other words with each word from the list. To play, write down a list of words on a piece of paper. Once the list is complete, have students take turns looking at the list. Then they choose one word that they associate with each listed word. The student with the most associated words at the end of the game wins!

PICTURE-BASED MEMORY GAMES

There are also a number of memory games that focus on pictures. Students can learn new vocabulary words, review spelling words, or work on their memory skills with these games.

I Spy

I Spy is a classic memory game that many people can play. The object of the game is to find a specific object that the other player has chosen. I Spy can be played with a variety of different objects. Try it with large, obvious objects for younger children, and smaller objects like buttons or pennies for older students. Try this I Spy Toys challenge.

Picture Memory

Picture Memory falls into the card games category. Use a deck of cards. Turn them over. Try to find the pairs for all the cards. When finished, shuffle the cards and you have a brand new game! You could also use this Summer Memory Game free printable.

What’s Missing?

Play this game with a group of objects. The goal of the game is to remember which object is missing from the group. To play, have students take turns removing one object from the group and then trying to guess which object is missing. The student who correctly guesses the missing object wins the game! Read more detail here about this simple visual memory game.

Spot the Difference

For this game, use two pictures that are almost identical. The idea is to find the differences between the two pictures. Students take turns looking at the two pictures and then try to find the differences. The student who correctly identifies the most differences wins the game! You can print these puzzles and they are ready to go!

You can try these spot the difference video challenges:

NUMBER-BASED MEMORY GAMES

Memory games that focus on numbers help students work on their math skills. Not only will they get better at doing math problems, but it won’t feel like work since these games are fun!

Try this number game. Grab a deck of cards. Turn 3 random cards face up to start. Turn them over. Can you remember the three cards and find the matching numbers in the rest of the deck of cards?

Make it harder by increasing the number of cards that are shown face up.

Want to add in movement? Say three numbers out loud and pick one exercise to start. For example, 5, 9, 4 and jumping in place. The kids have to remember to do 5 jumps, then 9 jumps and finish with four jumps.

Make it harder by adding to the number sequence and different exercises.

SHORT-TERM MEMORY GAMES

Short-term memory games improve the player’s ability to remember information for a short period of time. These games typically involve remembering a list of items, such as words or numbers, and then recalling them in the correct order.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a classic memory game where any number of players can play. The object of the game is to remember a series of Simon’s commands and then to follow them exactly. Check out 100 Simon Says ideas.

I’m Going on a Picnic

To play this game, one student begins with, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing X.” The next player continues, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing X and Y.” Each player names all of the items that are going on the picnic. This game gets more challenging as it progresses!

Storytelling Memory Game

The first person begins the story with one line. The second player repeats the opening line, and then adds the next line. The third player repeats the lines, and adds on another one. This process continues until all of the students have had a turn. Students will build a story that can be funny, serious, or just plain entertaining. This is great as a circle game, and will come out different each time!

Action Memory Game

Try this simple Action Memory Game for the whole class. It is so much fun to play and makes a great brain break! It’s perfect for kids of all ages, and works on a child’s motor memory and motor planning skills. Read how to play the Action Memory Game.

LONG-TERM MEMORY GAMES

Improving a player’s ability to remember information for a long period of time can happen with long-term memory games. Here are some games to help with long-term memory abilities:

Memory Matching Game

You will need a deck of picture cards for this game. The purpose is to find the matching pairs of cards. Deal out all of the cards face down, and then have players take turns flipping over two cards at a time, looking for matching cards. If a player finds a match when they flip the cards, they take the two cards and set them aside. The game is over when all of the cards have a match. The player with the most matches is the winner!

Memory Maze

Make a grid of nine dots on a piece of paper for each player. Player one draws a path connecting all the dots together. Player two has to remember how they complete the path and copy it.

These are just a few ideas for memory games that you can play in the classroom. Memory games are a great way to improve memory skills in a fun way. Memory games can also help students learn new vocabulary words, work on math and literacy skills, and strengthen their logical reasoning skills.

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