Buddy Match
Buddy Match
2-6 players • 10 min • 5 & up
Focus: Comparison & Focus
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Meet the Buddies and test your comparing skills! Match size, color, or character, but stay sharp—your match must beat the last player’s! Keep your focus and self-control to win big!
Skills: Comparing, Focus & Self-Control
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 60 Buddy Match Cards
- 5 About Me Cards
- 1 Starting Card
- 1 Rules Booklet
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How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Speaking & Listening
- Speaking & Listening
- Comprehension and Collaboration. Grade Level K
- Standards for Mathematical Practice
- Grade Levels K
Skills
Explore
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Buddy Match involves a little exploration as players examine the top card on the play pile to determine the color, character and size of character on the card.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support is required. Parents may need to remind children that they cannot make a successful match based on the prior category (color, character or size) played.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Buddy much involves assessing three different categories in order to making match which is an advanced level of matching for five and six-year-olds.
Educators may need to remind children that they cannot make a successful match based on the prior category (color, character or size) played.
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players decide if they have a card that can make a successful match on their turn. Also, players determine if someone makes a repeat match.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support is required. Parents can encourage other players to pay close attention to see if a repeat match is made.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Buddy much involves assessing three different categories in order to making match which is and advanced level of matching for five and six-year-olds.
Educators can encourage other players to pay close attention to see if a repeat match is made.
Compare
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Comparing is the primary skill developed playing Buddy Match.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Comparing happens simultaneously with exploring and determining.
Adults may need to remind children that they cannot make a successful match based on the prior category (color, character or size) played. They can also encourage other players to pay close attention to see if a repeat match is made.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Comparing happens simultaneously with exploring and determining.
Adults may need to remind children that they cannot make a successful match based on the prior category (color, character or size) played. They can also encourage other players to pay close attention to see if a repeat match is made.
Remember
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Buddy Match involves a little memorization as players need to remember the category of the last card played.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special adult support required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special adult support required.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
To play Buddy Match children have to be able to keep 3 different attributes: character, color, and size in mind. Children who have cognitive delays may find this difficult. For those children, start with just matching color, then add characters, and finally play with all three attributes. This allows the child to gradually increase the aspects they need to keep in mind at one time. Color is the most obvious attribute and needs less focus to see differences.
Reduce the number of buddies the children need to match. Sort through the cards and pull out the cards associated with just three of the characters. Let the child choose which three buddies they want to use. They will probably choose the ones that are easiest for them to recognize.
Reduce the number of cards in each players hand to five, so they are easier to handle. If a player cannot make a match, they can discard and draw a new card. If that card does not match, play moves to the next player.
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Players are required to name the attribute they are matching. If the child is unable to speak, allow the child to point to the character or the color and to use fingers to show little or big.
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Modify the game for children with fine motor skills. Make a card holder by taking a piece of heavy paper and folding it lengthwise. Then fold one long edge upward. This will make a ✓\ holder for the cards.
Reduce the number of cards in each players hand to four or five, so they are easier to handle. If a player cannot make a match, they can discard and draw a new card. If that card does not match, play moves to the next player
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If the child is impulsive, reduce the number of attributes the child need to keep in mind at one time. Start with just matching color, then add characters, and finally play with all three attributes. This allows the child to gradually increase the aspects they need to keep in mind at one time. Color is the most obvious attribute and needs less focus to see differences.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children with low vision may have difficulty telling the animals apart. If so, play by matching color and size only.
Lay out all of the different colors and see if the child can match the colors accurately. Remove any colors from the deck that may be confusing to the child, or just focus on matching size.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Hearing concerns should not be a problem for playing Buddy Match. Players can gesture or sign their match.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Comparing and Matching
- Focus and Self Control
- Good Decision Making
Is good at matching visual items
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
The main task of Buddy Match is comparing and matching character, color or size. Ability to make a quick visual match is an advantage in Buddy Match. Players also need to remember which match was just made, so they do not repeat the match of that attribute.
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Visual matching is key to the game. Players need to remember which match was just made, so as not to repeat the match of that attribute. For example, if a player matches a character, the next player must match either size or color.
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Buddy Match is good for building short term memory as players need to make a match that does not repeat the attribute of the prior card. Also, players get to announce the match they are making by saying the name of the character, the size, or the color they are matching. For example, "Tibbar," "small," or "red."
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Visual matching is key to the game. Players need to remember which match was just made, so as not to repeat the match of that attribute. For example, if a player matches a character, the next player must match either size or color.
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
This game is not appropriate
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
This game is not appropriate
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
This game is not appropriate
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Buddy Match is easy to follow and played the same way each time. If children are familiar with the Buddies from other Simply Fun games, they will easily recognize the characters.
If not, they will have fun learning about the characters playing Buddy Match. Spend a little time getting the players familiar with the names of the characters. Allow them to use the label for the animal instead of the name of the character if they want; for example, "dog," instead of Digger.
Color and size are also easy to recognize.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
This game is not appropriate
Likes spatial problem solving
This game is not appropriate
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players need to manipulate eight cards in their hands. This may be difficult for some children, so adults may need to create or buy a cardholder to make holding the cards easier.
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
The game is easy to follow and played the same way each time. Players just need to match one of three attributes on the cards. Make sure children can name each color on the cards, can identify big and small, and are familiar with the characters names or type of animals on the cards.
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
This game is not appropriate
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Buddy Match does not require looking at other players. Players focus on the face-up card in the play pile and the cards in their hand.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Directions to Buddy Match are simple and straight forward. However, players may be confused by not being able to repeat what a previous player said. If needed, demonstrate the proper matching options.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players need to state the match they are making: Buddy name, size or color. They cannot say the attribute previously named. If the child repeats what another player just said, a penalty is the result. If the player comments on unrelated topics, other players will not understand why the child is playing a particular card. Using appropriate speech is necessary to play the game, therefore, Buddy Match is not recommeded for this autistic concern.
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
As long as the child can focus on their own cards and the play pile, they can play the game. It is important to watch and listen to other players, however, to make sure they made an accurate match and are not repeating what was previously played. As long as other players are able to monitor accuracy of matches, this should not prohibit the child with autism from playing.
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the child cannot produce words, allow the child to point to the character, the color, or use a gesture of small or large with fingers or hands.
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Each turn requires a simple action of playing a card and naming a concrete attribute.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Social interactions are not needed to play the game.
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children with autism may become frustrated if they have difficulty thinking of a different attribute than was just named. Other players may want to prompt the child with autism by saying, "I just said Tibbar, so you can match a color or size." Once the child understands the pattern of play, stop using the prompt.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the child does not like the characters or doesn't like matching activities, this may not be the best choice of games. However, most children like animated characters such as the engaging SimpyFun Buddies. Allow children to choose their favorite characters to start, and add others as they become more comfortable with the game.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Buddy Match is played the same way each time, so it has a predictable pattern. To transition the child to the game, let the child choose a favorite character card and ask them to help hand out the cards.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players do not need to understand other players' feelings to play Buddy Match.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Modify the game so that instead of playing one card at a time, players can play as many of their cards as they can in a row. A player might even go through all of their cards in one turn, and then draw more.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
Playing this modification means that players needs to plan and organize their cards in a related order. This requires higher level thinking, beyond just matching one element and one card at a time.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
In this expansion, players must play one of each category before starting again. For example, a player plays a card and calls out the character. The next two cards that are played must be a color and size match, in either order. If a player cannot match one of these they draw another card and skip their turn. After all three characteristics are matched on a round, the next player can match any characteristic and the next round starts. If a player forgets and plays a duplicate characteristic in the round, they draw two cards and lose their turn.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
This version of the game adds the element of remembering the three characteristics that must be played and what characteristic(s) still needs to be played. Matching just one characteristic is easier, than remembering all three.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Use the Buddy Match to play a memory game. Sort the cards so there are 4 of each of the five characters, and lay out the cards face down in a five-by-four pattern. You can increase or decrease size of pattern depending on the child's ability level. Children can try to find pairs of the characters, match colors, or sizes depending on their preference or level of ability.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
This version of the game adds spatial memory. Play different rounds and let children take turns choosing what attribute to match (character, color or size). This gives them an element of control that may increase their focus of attention.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Collapsible content
How to Play Video & Transcript
Best friends Tibbar, Beary, Rooby Roo, Pickles and Digger are each unique in their own way, but they have lots in common. See if you can match them up when you play Simply Fun’s Buddy Match.
You can play Buddy Match with 2 to 6 players, and it’s best played with people who are 5 years old or older.
Buddy Match is a great game for developing comparing skills, as players will try to play cards that match things like color, size or character name.
Players will also develop focus and self-control as they practice: 1) remembering to say their new match out loud as they make it, and 2) remembering not to repeat the type of match that was said by the previous player.
To set up the game, place the Starting Card in the center of the table. This is the play pile.
Shuffle all 60 Buddy Match Cards and then deal 8 to each player.
Place the remaining cards face down to make a draw pile.
Place the 5 About Me Cards face up in a row near the play pile. These cards will help you remember the name of each buddy during the game.
The object of Buddy Match is to match the cards in your hand with cards on the play pile, making sure not to repeat the type of match made by the previous player.
To play the game, players must place one matching card from their hands on the top of the play pile, saying the match out loud.
There are three things a Buddy Card can match: color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple); size (big or little); and name (Tibbar, Beary, Rooby Roo, Pickles or Digger).
On the first turn of the game, the first player will place any card on the starting card and say the buddy’s name out loud.
On all other turns, players must make a new match that does not repeat the type of match made by the player before.
If a player makes a match on a turn, that player’s turn is over and it’s the next player’s turn.
For players who do not have any matching cards in their hands, their turn is over as well, but they must take two cards from the draw pile to add to their hands.
If a player accidentally repeats a match – either saying the same color, size or name that the previous player said – that player must: 1) pick up the card that was played and put it back in their hand, 2) draw two new cards from the draw pile, and 3) try to make a new match.
Note that if at any time the draw pile is empty, you may save the top card of the play pile and shuffle the rest of the cards to make a new draw pile.
The first player to play all the cards in their hand wins the game, and the game is over.
For a faster and more challenging game, have all players race to make a match at the same time on each turn. The rules are the same, except everyone tries to be the first player to put their card on the top of the pile.
Find out what buddies have in common and match them up with Simply Fun’s Buddy Match!
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