🎨 Moving & making · Ages 5–6 · about 3 weeks

Matching Prints and Mirror Moves

Goal: Explore how a folded print makes matching sides and copy a partner's movements as a mirror would.

For parents: Symmetry means two sides match when folded together. Use optional washable, age-suitable paint with an adult nearby, or crayons. Keep paint out of mouths and wash hands afterwards. For the outdoor game, use clear, level ground away from roads and water. Seated play and an indoor space work too.

Do together

  1. Fold, press, open

    You need: Paper and optional washable paint or crayons

    Fold paper in half, then open it. Put a few small paint marks on one side, fold and press gently, then open again to inspect the matching marks. Without paint, draw a simple shape on each side, using the fold to help compare their positions.

  2. Find each mark's partner

    You need: The dry print or drawing and crayons

    Point to a mark on one side and find its partner across the fold. Add a crayon mark and try drawing its matching partner on the other side. Fold to check their positions. Matching need not be exact; talk about what you notice rather than correcting the whole picture.

  3. An outdoor mirror

    You need: A safe outdoor space

    Face each other with comfortable space between you. One person slowly raises a hand or opens both arms; the other mirrors the shape. If you lift your right hand, your partner lifts their left, as a mirror would. Play seated or standing and swap leader after a few movements.

Talk about it

  • What appeared when we opened the folded paper?
  • Where is this mark's matching partner?
  • How can we move slowly enough for our partner to follow?

Words to use

  • fold
  • print
  • match
  • symmetry
  • mirror
  • partner

Play

  • Match Paths
    Matching & connecting
Play these games free

Every game is free for every family until 20 November 2026.

Your child can…

Ticks are saved on this device only. Move on when most are ticked.