How to create a personalized memory game for kids

It’s that time of year again when family members begin asking what my boys would like for the holidays. I have such a hard time compiling a wish list on their behalf, partly because we don’t have a lot of space for more toys and partly because I have no clue what they really want.

Unfortunately, they don’t either. Asa, of course, can’t tell me what he’d like, but considering he has plenty of hand-me-down toys from his big brother and cousin, I can’t imagine there’s anything else he really needs.

When I asked Levi what he’d like to put on his Hanukkah wish list, he thought about the question for a few minutes and responded, “A Phillips-head screwdriver…a big tool box…and what else do you think I should put down?”

Don’t tell Levi, but one gift he’ll be getting from us is a personalized memory game. I was inspired to create a Pinhole Press memory game using photos from our family vacation to Hilton Head Island after Levi became obsessed with the photo book my mom created after last year’s trip. We must’ve “read” it to him nearly every night from the day we received it as a holiday gift in December until the day we left for this year’s vacation in May.

Keep reading to enter a Pinhole Press giveaway for a $100 gift certificate!

Pinhole Press allows you to import photos directly from Instagram or Facebook, which would’ve been the easiest way to create Levi’s personalized memory game. However, I didn’t think a four year old would appreciate the photos I shared of my high-waisted bikini, restaurant interiors, or handmade pottery.

Instead, I sifted through 10 days of DSLR photos, selecting images of activities I thought Levi might actually remember: eating donuts at our favorite restaurant, blowing bubbles with his cousin, riding a pony, and playing on the beach. The hard part was narrowing down all of the smile-worthy memories to just 12 photos; the game comes with 24 cards, and many designs can be printed on thick matte or glossy paper.

I would’ve loved to include photos of us actually playing the game in this post, but Hanukkah isn’t for another two weeks! However, since Levi doesn’t read the blog, it’s safe for me to share these pictures of his personalized memory game (of vacation memories) before I wrap it.

A Pinhole Press giveaway!

And now a gift for you! To kick-off the holiday season, I’m teaming up with Pinhole Press to give away a $100 gift certificate to use on anything you’d like on their website. Stock up on photos gifts for family and friends or personalize something special for yourself. As you can see, I’m a big fan of their framed photo collage and mini book for kids.

Enter below for your chances to win, and don’t forget to unlock the 3 bonus entries! The giveaway will close on Sunday, November 29th at 11:59pm EST, and one winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed!