A Matching Game for The Train Lovers: 2.5 yrs old

D asked me this afternoon if we could play a matching game. We have a few games at home, but I wanted to do something a little more educational. Little Lady L was sleeping, and it was just the two of us, so I asked if he would help me make one.

We made another train game. We've done some similar games in the past: Fun with Learning Numbers, and Ticket Punch. I was wondering if the Fun with Learning Numbers game would help draw their interest to the numbers on the trains, and it did! D has been talking about who has what number ever since. 

Today, we cut out some rectangles, and drew some basic trains to keep the attention on the number. There are two of each number. And the numbers actually match the Thomas Train numbers (i.e. Thomas is number 1, Percy is number 6, Toby is number 7 ...).

D saw these all laid out and said, "Mama, it's perfect!"

We flipped the cards just like this, and it was game on. 

Number 7 ... it's Toby! 

Looking for number 1 for Thomas ... can you remember where it is? 

He found a number he recognized...it's for Percy! 

Number 6 for Percy!

 The only number he needed help with was number 2 :) Must be because Edward, the number 2 engine is hiding in my room for Christmas morning ... 

OK ... this next part was created by D. He wanted some coal cars. Here they are. can you count how much coal is in each car and match it to the number?

Here he is pointing to each dot as he counts. He surprised me with this one. Number 7 for Toby. He counted the dots correctly and matched it - no prob. 

This was cute ... Toby's coal car is chugging to the top. He is saying, "chug-a-chug-a" all the way up to its matching engine. 

There we go - a match! 

Three was too easy. He didn't even count the dots. Saw it, matched it. I still made him count to be sure. 

Two. 

And match.  

Counting the dots. This kid is serious about Thomas. Check out those tattoos on his hands. He also has his Thomas cup next to him; and you can't see in the pictures, but his Thomas pillow was brought to the table (because he didn't want to rest today:)

So much fun!