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Photo Memory Games

Common photo memory games are played by placing cards with pairs of pictures face up on the table, and giving the players time to memorize their positions. The cards are then turned over and players take turns trying to locate matching pairs, which they can then keep. The player with the most pairs at the end of the game is the winner.

Memory games can be tailored to all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. While there are many types of memory games on the market, it's easy to use your own photos to make a personalized memory game for your friends and family.

Make Your Own Photo Memory Game
- Select 15 photos to use for the game. A standard 4-by-6-inch size works well. Make sure all photos are either vertical or horizontal; don't mix both. You'll also need 30 4-by-6 index cards and glue.
  
  Make one copy of each of the photos and glue a photo to each index card. If desired, glue a 4-by-6-inch piece of decorative paper on the back of each index card for an added personal touch.
Picture and Word Memory Games
- The game can be altered to require matching of pictures and words. Instead of having two identical pictures, each pair of cards consists of one picture and one corresponding word or phrase. This can be as simple as matching a picture of a dog with the word "Dog." A more advanced pair could be a picture of Pearl Harbor paired with the words "December 7, 1941." Words and pairs that having personal meanings, such as family members and birthdays, can also be used.
Related Picture Memory Games
- Instead of having two identical pictures, the pair could be defined as two related pictures. Toddlers could play a game matching animals with their babies, such as a dog with a puppy or a cat with a kitten. A personalized family game could be made using pictures of married couples or brothers and sisters. Teachers could use a game that included pictures of a country and its chief export or capital city.
Photo Memory Game Apps
- Technology can help you create a customized photo memory game with hard copy photos, glue or cards. The "Match a Photo" app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad comes with 200 stock photos you can use to design your own memory game, but you can also use any other photos you have on your phone. Games can be customized to display fewer photos to make the game simple for young children, or more pictures to challenge older brains.

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