Free St Patrick’s Day Memory Game Printable

A St Patrick’s Day memory game is a fun and simple way to celebrate the holiday while boosting memory skills.

Whether you’re playing with preschoolers or older kids, this engaging activity encourages concentration, focus, and a bit of friendly competition!

This free printable features 12 festive, Irish-themed images, making it a great way to bring a little extra holiday magic to your home or classroom.

Just print, cut, and play—kids will love the challenge of matching the colorful cards!

Like all of our free St Patrick’s Day printables, this game is an easy way to add a festive touch to your celebrations while keeping learning fun.

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St Patrick’s Day Matching Game

A St Patrick’s Day matching pairs game is always a hit with toddlers, preschoolers, and younger kids—and even adults can have fun joining in!

This printable version features 12 festive, Irish-themed images, making it an easy and engaging way to celebrate the holiday.

How to Set Up

Getting your St Patrick’s Day concentration game ready is quick and easy! Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Download and Print – Scroll to the bottom of the page to grab your free printable. Since a memory game requires matching pairs, print the page twice to ensure you have two copies of each image.
2. Choose Your Paper – For durable cards, print on cardstock rather than regular printer paper. If using standard paper, consider laminating the sheets before cutting to make them last longer.
3. Check Printer Settings – Set your printer to portrait orientation and select best print quality for crisp, vibrant images. Since each image needs a matching pair, print the file twice on single-sided sheets.
4. Cut the Cards – Use a paper cutter for straight edges, or scissors if you prefer. Cut along the borders to separate the 12 images on each page, giving you 24 individual cards once both pages are cut.
5. Decorate the Backs (Optional) – To add a creative touch, color or decorate the backs of the cards before cutting. If using thin paper, stick to crayons or colored pencils to prevent ink from bleeding through.

Now your printable memory game is ready to play!

How to Play

Now that your cards are ready, it’s time to play! Whether you’re playing solo or in a group, the goal is simple—match as many pairs as you can.

1. Mix up the 24 cards and place them face down on a table.
   • For younger kids, arrange them in neat rows (6 rows of 4 works well).
   • Older kids might enjoy a challenge by scattering the cards randomly.
2. Each player takes turns flipping over two cards.
   • If they match, the player keeps the pair.
   • If they don’t, turn them back over in the same spot.
3. Keep playing until all the pairs have been matched.
4. The player with the most matches at the end wins! Want to make it extra fun? Hand out a St Patrick’s Day sticker to the champion.

This festive matching game is a great way to keep kids entertained while strengthening their memory skills. Plus, it’s a fun addition to your holiday celebrations!

Fun Variations of the St Patrick’s Day Game

Looking for ways to make this St Patrick’s Day printable game even more exciting? Try these fun variations to keep kids engaged while developing important cognitive and social skills.

Classic Match & Memory (Best for Beginners)

Lay all the cards face down and take turns flipping over two at a time. If they match, the player keeps the pair.

If they don’t, turn them back over and try to remember where they are! Keep going until all the pairs are found. This is the traditional way to play and a great way to boost focus and short-term memory.

Find & Match (Great for Preschoolers)

For younger kids who are still developing visual recognition, place all the cards face up and encourage them to find the matching pairs.

This eliminates the challenge of remembering hidden cards but still helps with pattern recognition and early problem-solving skills.

Speed Challenge (For Older Kids & Groups)

Turn up the excitement with a timed challenge! Set a timer and see how quickly each player can find all the matching pairs. Play individually or in teams—the fastest time wins!

This variation improves reaction speed and concentration while adding a fun competitive element.

Memory Builder (Great for Classroom Play)

Make the game progressively harder by increasing the number of cards in play each round. Start with six pairs, then add more as players improve.

This variation strengthens long-term memory retention and encourages problem-solving strategies.

Story Match (Encourages Creativity & Language Development)

Once all the matches have been found, challenge kids to use the paired images to create a St Patrick’s Day story.

They can go around in a circle, adding a sentence for each pair they collected. This is a fun way to encourage storytelling skills, vocabulary development, and imagination!

Each variation adds a unique twist, making this St Patrick’s Day matching pairs game fun for all ages! Whether you’re looking for a calm learning activity or an energetic group challenge, these ideas will keep kids engaged while strengthening key skills.

More St Patrick’s Day Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for more St Patrick’s Day activities to keep the fun going? Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Introduce the excitement of a classic game with a festive twist: St Patrick’s Day bingo cards printable, perfect for group engagement in the preschool setting.
2. Enhance letter recognition and early literacy skills with St Patrick’s Day alphabet worksheets, tailored for young learners.
3. Encourage a love for reading with a selection of the best St Patrick’s Day books for kids, to explore the lore and fun of this cultural celebration.
4. Stimulate vocabulary and word recognition with a St Patrick’s Day word search printable.
5. Embark on an adventure with a St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt, crafted to spark curiosity and exploration among preschool children.
6. Foster creativity and cherish memories with St Patrick’s Day handprint art activities, a perfect way for little ones to express their artistic side while celebrating the holiday.

Need to print later? Add this to your Pinterest board or share it on Facebook. You’ll have it handy whenever you’re ready to use it!

Get the Free St Patrick’s Day Picture Memory Game Here!

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Last Updated on 26 February 2025 by Clare Brown