Let’s be real—partnering students can feel like herding cats.
We’ve all been there: You ask your class to “find a partner,” and suddenly, chaos erupts. Best friends are scrambling to find each other, someone is left out, and before you know it, five minutes have disappeared and the mood in the room has totally shifted.
Sound familiar?
If you’re ready to take the stress (and drama!) out of pairing students, I’ve got you covered. Today I’m sharing five tried-and-true partner pairing strategies that are fun, fair, and fast—plus one that has been an absolute game-changer in my classroom!
1. The Random Draw Jar
One of the oldest tricks in the teacher book—because it works! Write each student’s name on a popsicle stick or small card, toss them in a jar, and draw two at a time to form pairs.
Bonus Tip: Use color coding for different groups {math partners, reading buddies, etc.} to switch things up easily.
2. Movement-Based Match-Ups
Kids are wiggly—we might as well lean into it! Use a movement-based game! Try Music Mix: Play a song and have kids walk around. When the music stops, they pair up with the closest student. It’s basically musical chairs…but to find partners!
Music Mix double as a brain break and builds excitement for the next activity.
3. Strategic Teacher Partner Pairing
Sometimes, we just need to step in and do the pairing ourselves—especially for academic or behavior reasons.
Try:
- Partnering a more confident student with someone who needs support.
- Rotating partners weekly so students build flexibility and social skills.
Be open with your class about why you’re pairing this way—it helps create buy-in and understanding.
4. Themed Partner Pairing Cards {Our Classroom Favorite!}
This is where the magic happens.
I started using Partner Pairing Cards and it completely changed the vibe of partner time in my classroom.
Instead of groans or “Not again…” I started hearing things like:
“Ooh, I’m peanut butter… who has jelly?”
Here’s how it works:
- Print the cards {there are 33 sets with cute, familiar pairs like Bacon & Eggs, Milk & Cookies, and Ketchup & Fries in three different styles}
- Pass them out randomly or have kids draw from a bucket.
- Students find their match, and just like that—everyone’s got a partner!
These cards are especially great at:
- Breaking up cliques without conflict
- Helping shy students feel included
- Adding a layer of play and excitement to your day
Bonus: You can laminate and store them in a small container for quick access all year long!
You can check out the full set of Partner Pairing Cards right here!
5. Let the Kids Create Their Own Partner Pairs
For a creative twist, let students invent their own pairings!
Challenge them to come up with:
- Two things that go together {like pencil & eraser, moon & stars}
- Draw matching cards
- Swap and match with classmates
It’s a fun writing activity and gives students ownership of the process!
🎯 Ready to Try It?
If you’re tired of the same old “pick a partner” routine, give one of these strategies a try this week. Want to make it super easy {and fun}?
Grab the full set of 33 ready-to-use Partner Pairing Cards and let the cards decide for you!
Don’t forget to pin this post for later for easy partner pairing strategies for the classroom!
