How to play memory games with grandparents
Simple ways to turn a matching game into a warm, fun time together, whether you share a sofa or live in different cities.
Some of the best family moments are the simplest. A matching game needs no instructions, no special equipment and no particular skill, which makes it a lovely thing for children and grandparents to share. Here's how to make it fun for everyone.
Set things up so everyone is comfortable
Before you start, think about the screen. Phones can feel small to older eyes, so if there's a tablet or laptop in the house, use that. On a phone, turn up the brightness and try both the light and dark themes. Many people find one of them much easier to read. Sit side by side rather than across from each other, so you both see the cards the right way up.
Start with the Easy game. It has only twelve cards, so the first round is quick and relaxed. You can always move up to Medium once everyone's warmed up.
Take turns on one phone
The classic way to play together is to take turns. One person turns over two cards. If they find a pair, they go again; if not, the phone passes to the other player. Keep a tally of who found the most pairs on a scrap of paper. Children love being in charge of the scorecard.
Taking turns has a lovely side effect: you watch each other's cards. You'll hear things like "I know where the other fish is!" and soon you're helping each other as much as competing.
Let the child teach
Children are often more at home with phones than their grandparents are, and that's a gift. Let the child explain how to tap a card, how to start a new game and how to switch between light and dark. Being the teacher makes a child proud and patient. Being taught by a grandchild is usually a delight, not a bother.
Then swap roles. Grandparents often have wonderful memory strategies from years of cards, crosswords and recipes kept in their heads. Ask them how they remember things. You might hear stories you've never heard before.
Talk about the pictures
The pictures in Pair Up are everyday things: fruit, animals, a bicycle, a house, the moon. Use them as conversation starters. When the elephant turns up, ask a grandparent if they've ever seen a real one. When a bicycle appears, ask about their first bicycle. Naming pictures out loud also helps everyone remember them, so the chatter is good strategy too.
Play the daily puzzle across cities
Not every family lives under one roof. If grandparents are in another city, the daily puzzle is a perfect bridge. Everyone gets exactly the same cards each day. Each person plays on their own phone, then taps Copy result and pastes it into the family WhatsApp group. It takes a minute, and it gives everyone a small reason to say good morning to each other every day.
Make it gentle rather than fiercely competitive: celebrate the best result of the day, but also the biggest improvement, or the funniest near-miss.
Keep it short and kind
- Stop while it's fun. Two or three rounds is plenty. It's better to leave everyone wanting one more game tomorrow.
- Don't rush anyone. There's no timer on the screen for a reason. Let each player take the time they need.
- Praise good thinking, not just wins. "You remembered where that strawberry was from ages ago!" means more than any score.
- Watch for tired eyes. Screens can be tiring. Take a break, have a glass of water and come back later.
A tradition in the making
Small rituals become cherished memories: the morning puzzle with chai, the Sunday afternoon tournament, the WhatsApp message that says "beat that!". A simple game of pairs can grow into one of those little traditions that ties a family together, across generations and across miles.