Memory Pairs

Learning through play

Every game is a chance to explore. Here are some of the skills your child can practise along the way.

Remembering what you have seen

Remembering a picture and its position while looking for its partner gives children practice using working memory. (Center on the Developing Child, 2014)

Looking closely and focusing

Comparing illustrations and watching each reveal encourages attention to visual details, including during another player’s turn. (Center on the Developing Child, 2014)

Pausing before choosing

Thinking back to an earlier reveal before tapping again offers a chance to practise making a considered choice. (Center on the Developing Child, 2014)

Taking turns and counting

Two-player rounds offer practice sharing a device, following turn-taking rules and counting pairs together at the end. (Center on the Developing Child, 2014)

How to play

Rediscover your story illustrations in a picture-matching game. Eight included animal pictures let you play before adding your first book.

1. Add Memory Pairs to your account on this website, then open Worlds → Games in the MyStoryWorld.app mobile app using the same account.
2. Choose Included Animals or a book from your eligible story library. The eight included animal pictures let you play every difficulty without owning a book.
3. Choose One Player or Two Players, then choose Easy, Medium or Hard. Both modes use the same matching rules and picture choices.
4. Tap a face-down card. Watch its picture appear in a large portrait view, then return to its place on the board. Remember what you saw and where it is.
5. Tap a second face-down card and watch its reveal. Two identical pictures make a pair. If they are different, both cards turn face down again in the same positions.
6. Keep finding pairs until every pair has been matched. In two-player mode, follow the turn prompt and tap Ready when the next player is ready to play.

Players & modes

One Player

Find all the pairs in as few turns as you can. Matched cards stay face up, and each finished round can set a personal best for that picture source and difficulty.

Two Players

Two people share one device and one board. Find a match to collect the pair and play again. A mismatch passes the turn to the other player. Player 1 starts the first round, and rematches alternate the starting player.

Choose your challenge

Easy · 3 pairs

Six cards to explore, with the longest picture reveals. A gentle starting point around age 4, or for anyone learning the rules.

Medium · 6 pairs

Twelve cards and more positions to remember. A suggested starting point for ages 5–7, with slightly shorter picture reveals.

Hard · 8 pairs

Sixteen cards and the shortest picture reveals. A suggested challenge around age 8. Every level is available in both modes; choose what feels right for your child.

The rules

• A pair means two copies of the same picture. Choose two different face-down cards; already-matched cards cannot be chosen again.
• Cards keep their positions throughout the round. A mismatch turns the pictures face down without moving them, so what you remember can help on the next turn.
• Wait for each enlarged picture to return before choosing the next card. There is no timer or need to tap quickly.
• In Two Players, both players can watch every reveal. Each match belongs to the player who found it and earns another turn; a mismatch earns no pair and passes play.
• The round finishes when all pairs are collected, even if one player has already taken the lead. There is no whole-board peek hint or penalty beyond using a turn.
• Included animals and story pictures already available on the device can be used offline. Scores are kept on this device; an interrupted round may need to be started again.

Scores & progress

• One Player: revealing two cards counts as one turn, whether they match or not. Fewer turns is better. For example, finding 6 pairs in 9 turns means 6 matches and 3 mismatches.
• The fewest possible turns equals the number of pairs: 3 on Easy, 6 on Medium and 8 on Hard. Shuffled cards bring an element of luck, so enjoy the result without treating it as a test.
• Your best score is the lowest turn count from a completed solo round. Bests are separate for each difficulty and each book or Included Animals, and are saved for your account on this device. Restarted or unfinished rounds do not set a best.
• Two Players: each match earns one pair. The player with the most pairs at the end wins. Equal totals are a draw, with no speed tiebreaker.
• Two-player results do not change solo personal bests. Every completed round gets a celebration, whether or not it sets a record.