Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Memory Tray Challenge: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Memory Tray Challenge is a free printable memory game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children study a tray of objects, then write down what they remember. It is for 2 to 6 players, takes about 10 minutes, and needs only a tray, a cloth, eight safe household objects and a pencil.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the grown-up, as it has notes, help ideas and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Memory Tray Challenge is played by 2 to 6 players, with one printed sheet for each child. Children study a tray of eight household objects, then the tray is covered with a cloth. They write what they remember in the answer spaces on the sheet. Writing the objects down gives early spelling and handwriting a real purpose. When the cloth comes off, children can look back at the tray and see how much they remembered.
- I remember
Setting up the tray
Choose the objects
Pick eight everyday objects with clear names, such as a spoon, a sock or a toy car. Choose things that look different from each other so the game is fair and fun.
Keep them safe
Use objects with no sharp edges and nothing small enough to swallow. Avoid anything hot, breakable or valuable. A grown-up should choose and check every object.
Set the tray
Put the objects on the tray with a little space between them. Cover the tray with the cloth until everyone is ready to look.
Check together
When the writing is done, lift the cloth and look at the tray together. Talk about what was remembered and what was missed.
Why memory games work for young children
Memory tray games have been played by families, schools and clubs for a very long time. A well known version is often called Kim's Game. The idea is simple. Look carefully, then recall what you saw. There is no special equipment, so it suits a kitchen table, a classroom carpet or a quiet corner at a party.
Young children often find it hard to hold several things in mind at once. Practising in a playful way helps them notice that memory can be trained. Children may say the names aloud, group objects by use or colour, or picture the tray in their heads. Trying different ways to remember is a useful habit for learning.
A grown-up should choose and check every object on the tray. Use items with no sharp edges, nothing small enough to swallow, and nothing hot or breakable. Keep the tray at a safe height for young children.
Skills and curriculum link
- Memory
- Looking carefully
- Writing words
- Spelling familiar words
- Taking turns
- Speaking and listening
What children will be able to do
- I can look carefully at a tray of objects.
- I can remember what I saw.
- I can write down the objects I recall.
Ideas that help children remember
- Say the namesSaying each object's name aloud gives children a second way to hold on to it. Hearing the word helps as well as seeing the object.
- Make groupsSorting objects in the mind, for example by what they are used for, can make a long list easier to hold.
- Picture itAsk children to close their eyes and imagine the tray. Seeing it in the mind can bring back objects they might otherwise lose.
- Tell a storyJoining objects into a silly story can make them stick. The sillier the story, the easier it can be to recall.
Key words
- RememberTo keep something in your mind so you can bring it back later.
- RecallTo bring back something you saw or heard earlier.
- TrayA flat holder with a low edge, used to carry or show things.
- ObjectA thing you can see and touch.
- DetailA small part of something. Colour, shape and size are details.
- DescribeTo say what something looks like using clear words.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2, which has notes for the grown-up.
- Set the tray with eight safe household objects. Gather 2 to 6 players and give each one a sheet and a pencil.
- Let everyone look at the tray quietly, then cover it with the cloth. Children write what they remember on page 1.
- Lift the cloth and check together. Ask, "How did you try to remember?" The thinking matters as much as the list.
- Come back another day with a new set of objects. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only four objects and let the child draw them instead of writing. Name each object together before covering the tray. Say the names again afterwards. Add more objects slowly over several games as your child feels more confident.
To stretch confident children
Take one object away while the children are not looking. Ask them what is missing. Then try moving two objects around, or adding a ninth object. Children can also write a short sentence about each object they remember.
Make it a game
Take turns to be the one who sets the tray. The tray setter picks the objects and covers them. Everyone else looks, then writes what they remember. The setter checks the lists. Keep each round short and change the setter every time.
Talk about it
- How did you try to remember all of the objects?
- Which object was easiest to remember, and why?
- Which object did you forget, and why do you think that was?
- What would you put on a tray to make it tricky for a friend?
- Did saying the names out loud help you?
- How could you remember more next time?
Take it off the page
Shopping basket
Put a few pretend shopping items in a basket. Look for a short time, cover it, then say what you saw. Swap and play again with different items.
Pocket treasures
Each child picks a few safe objects from around the room. Lay them on a cloth, look, then cover and list them. Choose new objects each round.
Draw the tray
After a round, draw the tray from memory. Add labels for the objects you remember. Compare your picture with the real tray.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first round, then let them lead. Keep it light and playful. About 10 minutes is plenty. If your child is stuck, say the names of the objects together and try again with fewer.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and gathering a tray of safe objects. Page 2 offers support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and the game works well in groups of 2 to 6.
Home educators
Pair it with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Use objects from around the house and change the tray each time. You can print the sheet again for brothers and sisters, or return to it a few weeks later.
Where this fits in early learning
Before this game, children practise noticing and naming everyday objects. They talk about what they see and begin to write simple words and labels. Short looking and listening games build the attention that memory needs.
After it, children can try longer lists, more complex trays and writing in full sentences. Memory skills also help with learning spellings, following instructions and remembering number facts. Short games like this keep that practice light and fun.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you try to remember all of the objects?
- Which object did you forget, and why do you think that was?
- Which object was in the middle of the tray?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Memory Tray Challenge for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with fewer objects, and older children can try the stretch idea on page 2.
- How many people can play?
The game is for 2 to 6 players. Each child needs a printed sheet and a pencil. One person can be the tray setter while the others look and write.
- What do I need to play?
You need the printed sheet, a pencil, a tray, a cloth and eight safe household objects. A grown-up should choose and check the objects before the game starts.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. Keep rounds short and play again if the children want more. Two quick games usually work better than one long one.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use only four objects and let the child draw them. Name the objects together first. Add more objects slowly over several games as confidence grows.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a pencil and a few household objects. It works well for quiet time after school, rainy days and school holidays.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and setting up a tray, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.