Make Easy Name Matching Activities with this Free Printable
The beginning of the school year can be both exciting and stressful for preschool students. Ease kids into this transition by helping them get to know their classmates with fun name activities. Use my templates to make your own name-matching game and use them for a variety of literacy activities with your kids.
These printable name matching activities are a great tool to help kids become familiar with each other at the beginning of the year. You can also use them for many sorting and letter activities. Make your own set of name matching cards for name activities for preschool using the two templates below.
You can easily customize each name matching card with a child’s name and picture.
What Supplies Do I need?
To make name matching cards customized with your children’s names you will need the following supplies:
- square digital photos of each child
- white printing paper
- colored paper or card stock – I sometimes like to use 2 different colors
- square picture template document (Word file)
- name grid template document (editable PDF)
- laminator
How to Add Images to the Photo Template
If you want to include photos of your kids for this activity, I have created a template that easily prints the pictures in the correct size. But….before using the template to create fun name activities, you will need to have square pictures of your kids. I set my phone to take a square picture, then I transfer those to my laptop via Dropbox.
The square picture template is a Word file. When you open it up. you will see a bunch of smiley faces on a grid. Right-click on a smiley face, select the “change picture” option, and then select one of your square pictures from your Dropbox or from the files on your computer. Once you make the selection, the smiley face will automatically (or magically) switch to your selected picture.
When you are done adding all of your pictures to the template, print two copies and cut out all of the pictures.
How to Customize The Name Squares
Next, you need to print squares with each kid’s name on them. Again, I made a template to help you out.
The name grid template is an editable PDF file that you need to open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can add all the names from your class list to the editable name document by clicking on the blue rectangle in the middle of each square and typing in the names of your children.
If you prefer, you can use uppercase letters for these name practice activities, but I prefer to only capitalize the first letter and use lowercase letters.
Just like the photos, you will need to print two copies and cut them out. I like to print the little square name cards onto cardstock or a really thick piece of paper so that sneaky kids can’t see through the paper.
How to Assemble the Name Matching Activity Cards
To complete the matching cards, attach a picture to the back of each name square with a glue stick or double-stick tape. Laminate the cards for durability and cut them out. You may also be able to attach the name squares and pictures to blocks or other items to make name matching blocks. A few years ago I used solid surface countertop sample squares to make name matching blocks. If you have connections to get some of those….they were awesome!
How To Use the Name Matching cards
The DIY cards are the perfect way to introduce kids during the first week of school, but you can have so much fun with them all year long in individual activities and with small groups. Here are some different activities that you can try with your kids. Use the simple printable for fun learning activities and name activities year-round.
Simple Picture Matching Activities
Kids enjoy looking at pictures of themselves and their friends. Spread all of your cards out on a table or on the floor with the picture sides up. Ask the kids to find the picture pairs. Be sure to show kids how to look at each child’s first name.
Simple Name Matching Activities
Spread the cards out with the name side up, and ask the kids to find their own names. This will help them learn name recognition.
Then, you can challenge them to find other name matches. They can turn the cards over to look at the pictures to check their match and to help them read the name on the card.
Sorting the Cards by Picture
Kids can sort the pictures by boys/girls, hair color, or clothing color.
Sorting the Cards by By Names
Here are some different ways you can sort the cards.
- First Letters of Their Name – Ask kids to name the first letter of their name, then find all the names that start with the same letter.
- Letter of the Week or Letters of the Alphabet – Use the cards as a fun way to work on letter recognition and learn letter names. Choose a focus letter and ask kids to find the matching cards with the corresponding letters. Kids can circle that letter with dry erase markers.
- Number of Letters in the Names – Kids can count the letters in each name and sort them.
Name Bags
Add one card for each child in a small bag or container. Pull a card from the name bag to select students to answer questions, participate in activities, or to select a name for name songs at circle time.
Name Matching Cards in the Sensory Bin
Add name matching cards to your sensory table or bin. Kids will enjoy sifting through the materials to find the matches. Add clothespin clips and kids can clip the cards together…this is a fun way to build fine motor skills.
Name Puzzles
Cut each name card in half, and you can create little name puzzles for them.
Playdough Trays
Using playdough is a great way to help young children build fine motor skills. Add the name matching cards to your playdough trays.
It is definitely worth the time to make a set of name matching cards because kids enjoy using them again and again in your lesson plans. I would love to hear how you use the cards for name activities in your home or classrooms.
Last Name Activity
After your kids learn their first names, you can create a set of name matching cards featuring their last name.
Get The Free Name Matching Activity Cards
To get your copy of the name grid and the square picture document, click on the link below:
Name Matching Activity Download
Please note that you need to download the document and open it on your laptop using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program. The Adobe Reader app on your phone or device does not have the same capabilities.
If you experience a problem, check out this troubleshooting guide.
More Name Activities From the Store
Find additional hands-on name tracing, writing and name recognition activities in my store. Click on the images below to check them out.
Purchase on TPT
Do you prefer to shop at Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also purchase the fun name activities in my TPT Store.
