Vegetable Match Game

This free download is a fun game for young children.  Some of the vegetables represented are not seen frequently by children.  It is a great springboard for conversation, to talk about where the vegetables come from, and add to a young child's vocabulary.   - You could even use the cut out matching cards in part of a continents box to show the origins of foods.

You can also create some dishes with the vegetables that are not well known.  Children are more likely to try new things when their interest has been peeked.  If you allow the child to help in the preparation of the dish they will be even more likely to enjoy the dish.

For these cards I have used the 'culinary' definition of vegetable.  If in the kitchen the item is used to prepare a savory dish, it is called a vegetable.  Pumpkin can go both ways, so I decided to use it in vegetable along with other squashes.

There are 6 playing cards with 6 photos of an isolated vegetable on it.  The child or small group of children will match the vegetables with the matching card.  Ways to play include the following:

• each child gets a playing card, and the corresponding matching cards to match their own cards
• each child gets a playing card, and draws from a reservoir of matching cards face up on the rug or in a basket
• each child gets a playing card, and draws from a reservoir of matching cards face down on the rug
• one child uses two or more playing cards to match from a basket of matching cards
• one child uses all of the playing cards to match from a basket of matching cards

You could certainly create more ways to use this work.  When this game is used cooperatively it will be the funnest of all.  I stay away from competition in my classroom, and strive to help children learn that by working together and helping each other we truly all win.

Veggimatch Game
click on picture to link to file

    

To create this game:

• print off one of each page 1-6
• cut out each playing card and each of the corresponding matching card
• place corresponding stickers on the back of a playing card and the matching cards to aid in keeping correct cards together
• laminate everything
• place in a basket

*Here is a guide to the playing cards

Veggimatch Guide
click on picture to link to file