Solitaire:

This is a great game for a little one to play by themselves. Adjust the number of cards based on the child's age.

More Players:

As many as you've got!

More Numbers:

Include more numbers in each suit.

Ten Together:

For some simple addition practice, use cards 0-5 in one suit, and cards 5-10 in another suit. Instead of looking for matching pairs, look for pairs that add to ten: 3 and 7, for example, or 0 and 10, or 5 and 5.

Number Deck Alternatives:

Our Number Deck activity shows how to make, print out, or purchase a deck like the one used for this game. But, you could also use four suits of standard playing cards (remove the Aces and face cards), UNO cards, or other game cards. Your child will still get a chance to recognize and match numerals.

Subitizing:

At first, children will need to count the dots on a card to recognize how many there are. That's fine. Eventually, they'll be able to see, though, a small number of dots and know right away how many there are. For example, they'll turn over a card with three dots, and instantly recognize "three" without counting them one at a time. This ability to instantly recognize small quantities is called "subitizing," and is a natural part of mathematical growth in a child. Subitizing is easier for smaller numbers like 3 or 4 than it is for larger numbers.

Spatial Awareness:

Young children may be a bit mystified at first when you know exactly where that other 4 is and flip it over (when in fact, it had already been flipped over a turn or two earlier). Help children notice that it's helpful to try to remember where numbers are even when they are turned back face down. Use words like "row" and "column," as well as "top," "bottom," "left," and "right." (Remember, columns go up and down, like columns in a building, and rows go left and right.) Talk out loud about how you remember where a card is: "Hmmm, I remember that the 2 was in the top row somewhere. Where was it again?" Encourage your child to do the same.

Strategy:

Which card should you flip over on your turn? If you don't already know where a pair is, it's best to flip over an unknown card first. Maybe it will be the missing partner of a card whose location you already know.

Comparison:

Can your child find a way to see who has more cards at the end without counting? This can be done using a matching strategy. Line up all of one player's cards, then line up all of the other player's cards next to them, so each of one player's cards is paired with one of the other player's cards. If every card has a match, then both players have the same number. If one player has some cards that can't be paired, they must have more cards.