Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Material Match Up - Key Stage 1
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Material Match Up is a free printable science sheet for Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7). Children look at each object, decide whether its material is a solid, a liquid or a gas, and draw a line to the correct circle. It needs only a pencil, and it works well as a first introduction to sorting materials.
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, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Page 2 has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and answers where the sheet has them. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children match objects to circles. For each object, they think about what it is made of and whether that material is a solid, a liquid or a gas. Then they draw a line from the object to the circle they have chosen. The sheet asks children to sort and decide, not to copy or recall a single word. It also gives plenty to talk about, because the reasons behind a choice matter as much as the line itself.
Why learn about solids, liquids and gases?
Everything we touch, drink and breathe is made of some kind of material. Scientists group materials by how they behave. In the early years of school, children begin by noticing simple things: can I hold it, can I pour it, does it keep its shape. These everyday observations are the starting point for all later work on materials.
In the National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science covers everyday materials. Children name materials, describe their properties and compare them. The three states of matter are taught in more detail in lower Key Stage 2. A sheet like this gives younger children the words and the habit of sorting early, so the ideas feel familiar when they return to them.
Quick facts about materials
- A material is what something is made from. An object is the thing itself.
- Solids keep their own shape unless something pushes, bends or cuts them.
- A liquid can be poured and takes the shape of its container.
- A gas spreads out to fill the space it is in, and many gases cannot be seen.
- Some materials can change from one state to another when they are heated or cooled.
Skills and curriculum link
- Sorting and classifying
- Naming materials
- Describing properties
- Scientific vocabulary
- Pencil control for drawing lines
- Explaining a choice
Ideas for talking about the three states
- SolidsA solid keeps its own shape. Ask, "Does it stay the same shape when I put it down somewhere else?"
- LiquidsA liquid can flow and be poured. It takes on the shape of whatever holds it.
- GasesA gas spreads out and fills the space around it. Often you cannot see it, but you may be able to feel it or notice what it does.
- Testing the ideaUse three simple questions. Can I hold it in my hand? Can I pour it? Does it spread out everywhere? Let your child try the questions on each object.
Key words
- MaterialWhat something is made from.
- ObjectA thing you can name, like a cup. An object is made from a material.
- SolidA material that keeps its own shape.
- LiquidA material that can flow and be poured.
- GasA material that spreads out to fill the space it is in.
- PropertyA word that tells us how a material looks or behaves.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
- Read the instruction aloud. Ask your child what they think a solid, a liquid and a gas are, in their own words.
- Look at one object together. Ask, "What is it made from?" Then ask which circle fits and why.
- Let your child draw the lines on their own. Praise careful thinking, not speed.
- Check the matches together. Ask them to explain any line they were unsure about, and talk about any they would now change.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the three questions out loud for each object. Can I hold it? Can I pour it? Does it spread out? Start with the objects your child feels most sure about, then come back to the harder ones. Real things from home can help.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to think of two more objects for each circle and draw them. Then ask for a material that is hard to place, and talk about why. Older children can explain what a solid, a liquid and a gas have in common.
Make it a game
Play a guessing game. One person thinks of a material and gives clues such as "You can pour it." The others guess, then say whether it is a solid, a liquid or a gas. Take turns being the clue giver.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child thinks that a soft or squashy material must be a liquid.
Try thisRemind them that liquids flow and take the shape of a container. Soft things can still keep their own shape. Feel and test a few real objects.
Watch forA child says there is no gas in something because they cannot see it.
Try thisExplain that many gases are invisible. Talk about ways we can tell something is there, such as feeling it move or seeing what it does.
Watch forA child names the object but not the material, so the choice feels confusing.
Try thisAsk, "What is it made from?" first. Then ask about the material, not the shape of the whole object.
Talk about it
- What does solid mean? Can you show me with your hands?
- How can you tell if something is a liquid?
- Why is a gas harder to spot than a solid?
- Which circle was easiest to choose for? Which was trickiest?
- Can you think of something that is not on the sheet and tell me where it would go?
- Did anything make you change your mind? What helped?
Take it off the page
Home sorting hunt
Collect a few safe objects from around the house. Lay out three hoops or sheets of paper labelled solid, liquid and gas. Sort what you can and talk about what you cannot.
Pour and hold test
Use a bowl and a few safe containers. Ask your child to say which things keep their shape and which take the shape of a container. An adult handles anything breakable or hot.
Material poster
Draw three columns on a big sheet of paper. Draw or stick pictures of things you find in the kitchen, garden and bathroom. Talk about which column each belongs in.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first object, then let them lead. Ask for reasons, not just lines. Short, relaxed chats about materials around the house will help the ideas stick.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or plenary in a unit on everyday materials, or as an assessment of how well children can sort and explain. Pair children to compare choices and discuss any that differ. It also works well as a prompt before a practical sorting lesson.
Home educators
Use the sheet as a hook, then move to real materials in the kitchen, bathroom and garden. Let your child test and describe things. Add a short written sentence or labelled drawing to record what they find out.
Where this fits
Before this sheet, children learn to name everyday objects and describe them with words like hard, soft, shiny and bendy. They also learn that an object and the material it is made from are not the same thing.
After this, children go on to compare the uses of different materials and, in lower Key Stage 2, study the three states of matter in more detail, including how materials can change state when heated or cooled.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Material Match Up for?
It is written for Key Stage 1, which is ages 5 to 7. Younger children can try it with an adult beside them. Older children can use it for revision or as a quick check before more detailed work.
- Do children need to know the words already?
No. The sheet is a good time to introduce solid, liquid and gas. Talk about each word first, using real things your child can hold and pour, then let them try the matching.
- What do I need to do the sheet?
You only need a printer and a pencil. Colouring pencils are a nice extra, for example to colour each line a different colour. Real objects from around the home are helpful but not essential.
- Does the sheet have answers?
Page 2 holds notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and answers where the sheet has them. Whatever the answers, always ask your child to explain their choice.
- What if my child is not sure which circle to choose?
That is a useful moment. Ask what the material does. Can it be held, poured or does it spread out? Using the three questions and real objects usually helps children decide.
- How does this link to the National Curriculum?
It supports the Key Stage 1 science strand on everyday materials, where children name materials and describe their properties. It also prepares them for the later work on states of matter in Key Stage 2.
- Can I use the sheet in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, a plenary or a quick assessment. Pairing children to talk through their choices adds a good speaking and listening element, and gives you a chance to hear their scientific vocabulary.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.