Have you tried the Spot It card game? My kids love it. It's a fun and fast-paced matching game with several ways to play. This is a game where kids have the advantage over adults. My brain just doesn't work fast enough to keep up with my kids at this one! Guess what? I found out how to make my own Valentine's Day game version, and of course, I'm sharing it with you!
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What is Spot It?
Spot It is a cool card game that boggles my mind. Each card contains 6 images, and one image on each card will match with an image on every card in the deck. The trick is to find your match the fastest. Honestly, it blows my mind trying to figure out how it's possible!
*This post contains affiliate links.
How does the game work?
The brilliant minds at Radigan Engineering not only figured out the algorithm behind the game, but they shared the secret so that any adventurous soul (like me) can create their own! (Unfortunately, the site has been taken down, so you can't create your own game anymore. But, if you want to learn the math behind the game, check out this post from the Smithsonian magazine.
I'm not going to lie. There is no substitute for the nice store-bought cards with the plastic finish in the original Spot It game. But, it's still fun to change it up with a holiday version, anyway. I highly recommend laminating the printable cards to make them easier to handle quickly.
Before making my version, every time I played the Spot It game I found myself wondering how in the world it could possibly work. I kept thinking for sure I'd find a card with no matches. It never happened. The game really does work. It's crazy. Every card has at least one match with every other card in the deck. It's mind-blowing.
Print your own Valentine's Day Spot It style matching game
Ready to try this fun Valentine's Day matching game? I know you are! You can print your own by clicking on the download button below (the one with the little orange heart). A page will open for you to sign up for my newsletter. Once you've signed up, you'll get a link to the printable in your email. (Don't forget to check your junk mailbox.)
How to Play
For a basic version of the game, put the stack of cards on the floor face up in the middle of all players. Each player selects a card and holds it face down. When everyone is ready to begin, players flip their cards over so that the pictures are visible.
All players focus on the top card in the stack. They search for the picture on that card that matches a picture on their card. The first person to find a match calls out the name of the picture they matched, takes the card from the stack, and places it on top of the card in their hand. Players continue to watch the center stack, calling out pictures and taking the top card as they find matches.
When all the cards are gone, the player with the most matches wins.
More Ways to Play
There are many ways to play this game. Google, "ways to play spot it," and you'll see the five games included in the directions for the original game. It's also fun to make up your own game. The possibilities are endless.
If you want to learn how to play all the games, I suggest you buy the real thing or google the directions. You just might find them.
Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to check out more fun ideas for Valentine's Day by clicking on the images below.
The images are linked to posts, so click on them!
gapy animación gloria
thanks to you, this is the way to play with my daugther to words, numbers, literature... Any subject i want she to learn (i don't know if this sentence is wrote properly, sorry) with "easy to follow" rules.
I took a look of the websites you recomend and i found a lot of ideas of games and help with "flashcard creating" is amazing for me because i do games for children in my playworker job, there's no money to buy them so i creat it.
thanks a lot.
Heidi
I'm glad you found the websites helpful. Good luck creating your own games! I have lots of math games on my site. You might find those helpful in your job, too.
Aish Das-Padihari
This is a great way to spend time with the kids.
Heidi
Thanks, Aish. It's really fun to play with the kids, but it makes me feel old. The kids have much faster reflexes than I do!
Amber Myers
What a fun idea! And I MUST make those bugs with my daughter. She loves bugs.
Heidi
Thanks, Amber. The bugs were a fun project. Give it a try!
Robin
I tried spot it last year at the holidays.... everyone LOVED it, it's my go to gift now for kids. Me? I am horrible at it, lol.
Heidi
I'm with you, Robin. My kids are much faster at this game than I am!
Rosey
That's a fun sounding game. I am amazed there's always a match. I love the super hero lolli!
Heidi
Thanks, Rosey. That super hero Valentine is one of my favorites.
Author Brandi Kennedy
This post is maybe the coolest thing I've seen all week. My youngest daughter LOVES the Spot It games, and we actually have several different versions. She never grows tired of playing these games, and we love that there are so many different ways to play. A Valentine's version is perfect!
Heidi
Thanks, Brandi. Hopefully your daughter will enjoy adding one more version to her games. (We have two other versions as well.)
Samahria Richie
My children have played this game at school. This would be a good family time game to play at home.
Heidi
Definitely, Samahria! Just be prepared for the kids' quick reflexes! My kids are crazy fast.
Mihaela Echols
Oh spot it! This game is so great! I played it with the kids the clinic I worked at.
Heidi
I agree, Mihaela. Spot It is such a fun game. This game has fewer cards, but it's fun, too.
Michelle Catallo
Thanks for the cute and crafty Valentine's Day ideas :-) Love the games; most likely going to be doing these at home, kids will love them!
Heidi
Thanks, Michelle. I hope you and your kids enjoy the games.
mira pstr
I love the Valentine BOx, so cute, you are really creative and talented
Heidi
Aw, thanks, Mira! The rocket booster Valentine box was actually my daughter's idea. I just helped her make it a reality.
Hannah Green
Love these ideas...as a teacher it's always nice to find wet play games or games for golden times that will engage the children and are easy for them to play!
Heidi
Thanks, Hannah. I'm a teacher, too. If you're looking for more games for class, be sure to check out my Don't Eat Pete games. They're great for math fact practice.
hra
What a beautiful post!! i love Valentine's day <3 and this is a lovely way to spend time with the kids :-) Thankd for sharing with us
Heidi
Thanks, Hra. My kids and I have been enjoying playing the game together.
Chloe
Aw I love a good ole family game! This would be perfect with a cup of tea and cookies on Valentines Day <3
Heidi
Thanks, Chloe. We've been enjoying playing it already. Why wait for Valentine's Day?
Sarah-Louise Bailey
That Rocket Booster Valentines Box was so new and very fashionable. It will be a sure hit for the kids. I am just wondering how does it work. lol
Heidi
Thanks, Sarah-Louise. The rocket booster Valentine box was actually my daughter's idea. When she takes it to class, all the boys have to try it on!
Wanderlust Vegans
very cute game. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend some time with the kids.
Heidi
Thanks, Wanderlust Vegans. It is a lot of fun. The only problem is that my kids always win!
Elizabeth O.
It sure sounds like a pretty fun game for the kids on Valentine's day! I like making sure that they enjoy the day as much, it's not only for couples anyway.
Heidi
Thanks, Elizabeth. It's fun to make Valentine's day special for the kids.
Carol Cassara
That's awesome! I love games that keep the kids excited about the occasion. This is definitely something that I would recommend.
Heidi
Thanks, Carol. The game is a lot of fun. The kids are much better at it than I am!
GiGi Eats
I remember when I was younger - I loved V-Day because I loved the cards and the candy but I also loved it because it got me excited about whether or not my "crush" would give me a love note - LOL!
Heidi
I remember feeling the same, GiGi. I don't think I ever got a love note, though.
Robin Rue
We love the Spot It games! We have the one that is geared towards Christmas and the kids love it.
Heidi
I've never seen the Christmas game. We have the camping version. It's a lot of fun.
AMANDA
This is such a great idea! I will have to try this when my little gets a bit older!
Heidi
Definitely save it for when you kids are older, Amanda. It's a lot of fun. Be prepared, though. As the kids get older, they'll be much better at the game than you are! Kids reflexes are so good!
Sapana V
These are really awesome and creative ways to spend quality time with kids.
Heidi
Thanks, Sapana. It's a really fun game. You should give it a try.
Sondra Barker
This sounds like a fun family game! Well done on creating your own version for Valentine's Day!
Heidi
Thanks, Sondra. My kids have a lot of fun with this game and the original version.
Stacey
You found a game your kids like. Thats a great thing.
Heidi
Thanks, Stacey. It's always nice to find a game that the whole family can play together.
ohmummymia
all this ideas are great! I love that game and a love bugs:) my son will love them
Heidi
Thanks, Ohmummymia. I hope you and your son have fun playing these games together.
CourtneyLynne
Omg what a cute game!!! I bet my daughter would love this!
Heidi
Thanks, Courtney Lynn. You should try the game with your daughter. It's really fun and addicting.
Chrissy
My Daughter would love this game! What a cute idea. :)
Heidi
Thanks, Chrissy. I hope you try it with her. It's very fun and a great brain builder. (It makes me feel old and slow!)
mark and kate
My nieces would love to make these... It'll be perfect for their Valentine's Day gifts to classmates
Heidi
Thanks, Mark and Kate. This game would make a great Valentine's Day gift. I wish I had thought of that!
Heather Johnson
What a fun game to play for Valentine's Day! I bet my kids would enjoy playing this with me.
Vera Sweeney
What a fun game for Valentine's day!! My kids would have a blast playing this game!
Heidi
Thanks, Vera. I'm sure your kids would enjoy playing this with you. Any time kids get to spend with their parents playing games is time well spent!
Audrey McClelland
I don't think I've ever heard of this game before, but it looks like a ton of fun to play with the kids. I really like the artwork on the cards. Super cute!
Heidi
Thanks, Audrey! I hadn't heard of Spot it! before last year. Now I see versions of it everywhere. It's a really fun game. You should give it a try.
Scott
FYI, Spot It does have holiday-themed versions. Their Christmas one is very popular! http://www.blueorangegames.com/index.php/games/spot-it-holidays
Heidi
Thanks, Scott. We have two different versions of the game. I hadn't seen the Christmas one.
Horse names ideas
My family loves Spot it! This would be a lot of fun for Valentine's Day!
Heidi
Thanks. I hope your family gives the game a try. We love it.
Marysa
These are all such cute ideas! My kids do love Spot-It, and it would be fun to make our own version. The kids enjoy making treats for valentines day, we should get started this weekend.
Heidi
Thanks, Marysa. I'm a little late responding to this comment. I hope you and the kids had a great Valentine's Day!
Julia Martin
I have never played this game but I will love to try this soon. Thank you very much..
Elyce Tecktiel
I love this! I would love to make other versions. How did you get the pictures looking so nice on the cards? Did you use Word? Paint? I am having trouble with that part.
Heidi
Thanks, Elyce. I created my cards with Adobe Illustrator. That's a pretty pricey program. I recently purchased Affinity Designer, and it works great. It's comparable to Illustrator and would also work for this project.
Emily Eddington
What a clever idea. I am thinking of making a spot it game for my grandkids. Did you find a drag and drop site, or did you make your own circle template, and adjust the sizes of the pictures as you entered them?
Heidi
Hi, Emily. I used the link in this post to the Algorithm to help me decide which pics go on each circle, and then I manually adjusted the sizes and positions of the pictures myself. Good look making yours. I did create a template and do it all myself.
Tammy
Thank you for sharing! I printed this out and played all morning with my 4 year old. We love Spot It and this Valentine's one was so fun. I plan on laminating it so we add it to our games. Thank you!
Heidi
I’m so glad you like it, Tammy. We love Spot It, too. I bet your four-year-Old gave you a run for your money. Kids are so much faster at this stuff than grownups!
Bonnie
Our kids loved this game! Thanks for getting us started! I made my own Animal/Insect one for us and put it up for sale on TeachersPayTeachers.
Jaime
I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but I enter email but still haven’t received the Valentine’s Day Spot it
Heidi
Hi, Jaime. I'm sorry you did not receive your download. I think it probably went to the spam/junk folder in your email account. It's also possible that there was a glitch with my email system, though. I sent you the email again -- this time it has the title: Spot It Game -- Hope it works this time. Please let me know if you still don't get it.
Peter T. Blair
Great website Thanks for sharing such an informative article.
Heather
I can’t seem to get this post to accept my email. I subscribed on another page. Is there a way to still get the printable?
It’s so cute! Thanks!
Heidi
I'm sorry you are having trouble, Heather. I just sent the file. Please check your junk/spam folder. I'm not sure why, but the printable emails go there a lot!