Sacraments Activity: Matching/Memory Game

Kids love playing games. As a catechist, I love seeing kids learn about their faith. When you find an activity that kids love while they learn, you’ve hit a sweet spot. The sacraments matching game did that for our class this year and I’m looking forward to being able to use the game again throughout the year. Once the game is created, it can be used again as an activity for centers or as an activity that students who finish assignments early can do quietly while other students finish their work.

(Scroll to the bottom to get a template to create your own matching game!)

How to Play the Sacraments Matching Game

Goal: Match the sacrament to it’s symbol or definition.

The player with the most matches after all of the cards are picked up wins.

If a player finds a match, they earn the chance to keep choosing until they can’t find a match.

Players may not mix up the placement of the cards or prevent the other player for selecting the cards they wish.

Optional: Players may use the answer key to remind themselves if their match is correct

How to Create and Set Up the Cards

To create the cards for this game I used a simple Microsoft Word table with equal row sizes. On one side of the table was the name of the sacrament and on the other side I drew a picture of the symbol that is associated with the sacrament or its definition. (You should draw your own pictures to match up with the drawings you use to introduce students to the sacraments.)

Important: Before cutting out the cards, though, there is an important step to take so that the students match the name of the sacrament to the symbol/definition. Without this step, students won’t know which cards have the names of the sacrament and which cards are symbols/definitions.

Print out the papers and turn them face down. Using a crayon, colored pencil, or marker, color half the paper one color and half the paper another color. Using the side of an unwrapped crayon works best. Also, make sure colors contrast enough that they can easily be distinguished.

Here is how the papers should look on the back:

Now cut out the cards. You should have two different kinds of cards with different colors on them: sacrament names in one color and their symbols/definitions in another color.

Feel free to download the sacraments cards I used in class and adapt them for your own use:

Download the Sacraments Game Cards.

Download the Sacraments Game Answer Key.

When to Play the Sacraments Game

The first time we played this game, I had students partner up and all play the game as soon as they finished cutting out the cards.

The second time we played the game, it was one of three centers that the students could play during a second lesson about the sacraments.

Now, as we move on to other topics, the game is available in a folder in the back of the room. If the students complete the bell work activity for the day, they have the option of partnering up with another student to play this or other games while the other students finish their work and arrive to class.

The first few times you play, make sure the students have the answer key to check their answers. This helps with the learning process. You can’t expect them to just know the answers the first time. After awhile, though, take away the answer key and challenge them to play based on memory alone.

Bonus: Make Your Own Matching Game

Interested in creating your own sacraments matching game? Or would you like to use this concept but for other topics like Scripture, Morality, Church History, etc.? Click on the link below and enter you email address and I’ll send you a template you can use to create your own cards. It comes with a short video tutorial on how to use and edit the template as well.

Download the Matching Game Template >