Basketball Memory

You don’t need to use many supplies, to obtain a slam dunk with this Basketball Memory activity! Memory games are a great way to get those brains fired up and working. Painting and gluing will allow kids to practice their fine motor skills. This fun activity has kids turning over two cards to see if they match. Another fun thing to add to this activity is to engage your child in a review of their colors. As your child turns over two cards you can ask them what colors are the two basketballs? Another option is to make the game go into overtime and ask your child to name the color on each one of his basketball cards.

Supplies:

Construction Paper in Various Colors

White Cardstock

Scissors

Marker

Glue

Pencil

Let's Get Started!

Step 1: Basketballs

First, you will be making the basketballs by drawing them with your pencil on each piece of construction paper. You will draw two circles on each piece of colored paper you want to use. The amount of different colored construction paper is up to you. If you want to create a more challenging activity use more different colors of construction paper. After you are done drawing your circles on all your pieces of colored paper you can then take your scissors and cut them all out.

Step 2: Lines on the Basketball

Next, you will draw the lines that are on a basketball. Take your black marker and draw the following lines on each circle to make it look more like a basketball. Take your marker and in the center of the circle draw a line from the top to the bottom of the circle. Then draw a line that goes from side to side across the circle. Last you will draw two curved lines one on each side of the ball that will resemble half a circle. You will need to do this step over and over until every circle has all these lines on it.

Now all your basketballs are done.

Step 3: Gluing the Basketballs on the White Cardstock Paper

Then you will take your white cardstock paper and scissors cut enough rectangle shaped cards to fit each one of your basketballs on. Take your glue and put it on the basketball side without the lines then put it on a white card. You will need to glue each basketball on a card this same way until you are finished with them all. You will need to let the glue dry for a few minutes and then you can play!

Time to Play!

First, lay all your cards face down spread out on the table with the basketball side touching the table. Next, you and your caregiver will then take turns picking any of the two cards on the table and turn them over to see the basketballs. Look at the two colors do they match? If so, you will keep both cards in your pile of matched basketball cards. If no match you will turn both of the cards back over on the table so you can’t see the basketballs. As you start turning over lots of the cards you can try and remember where the matches are. Keep following these steps until all the cards are gone from the table and are in your pile or the other person’s pile. Count each of the cards in each of your piles and whoever has the most matches wins the game.

Another option is to play in an overtime game and name all the colors of your basketballs you collected. If there isn’t enough time to play in overtime you can always review your colors as you turn over your cards. Have Fun!!