In the days before every electronic device known to man was available to children, kids had to find simpler ways to pass the time. For so many families, card games were a fun way to get together for an activity.
You might think that, these days, card games are a little too slow-paced and boring for kids. But because the game play is outside of their usual activities, card games can still be a really enjoyable way to pass the time.
Playing card games can also be great because once you know what you're doing, you have a chance to talk. You'd be amazed how much kids will open up in the relaxed setting of a game.
The great thing about learning new card games is once you know them all, you can bust them out at any time. This can make it easier to pass the time at a doctor's office, at the airport, or on a rainy day.
Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights is a great multiplayer game for ages 4 and up. In a two-player game, each player is dealt seven cards. With more players, each player gets five cards. The goal is to get all of the cards out of your hand. Discard cards to match the suit or number of the card prior.
Learn more about Crazy Eights here.
Rummy
There are a lot of wonderful types of rummy you can play. The object of the game is to make sets, which is easy for kids to pick up. The rest of the rules vary from type to type.
Check out all the kinds of rummy you can play.
Go Fish!
Go Fish is a staple that many kids learn pretty early on. The goal is to get as many books of cards (four of a kind) as possible. Players compete against each other by trying to get the cards they're missing from other player's hands.
Learn all the rules of Go Fish here.
War
War is a game of one-on-one showdowns with cards directly battling each other. If the cards are the same rank, it's time for war. People deal out different numbers of cards to settle a war, so check out the official rules to see what the pros think!
Old Maid
Old Maid is fun because you can play with a regular deck of cards or special sets that make it extra fun for little ones. The object of the game is to not be the old maid, which is a little trickier to keep track of with a regular deck.
You can find the rules of Old Maid here. Looking for the same game with a less dated concept? Check out Bold Made!
Spit
The name may not be appealing, but the game is pretty fun for kids ages 8-plus. It's a two-player game, but with more than one deck you can play tournament-style. You want to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards.
Learn more about the rules of Spit.
Snip, Snap, Snorum
This matching card game dates all the way back to the 18th century. There are a bunch of variations of this game to check out. Some are easier than others for younger players. It's a high-energy game, so prepare for some chaos of the best kind.
Learn more about how to play Snip, Snap, Snorum.
Pig
Pig is a great group game, especially when you have younger ones in the mix. Each player starts with four cards. The goal is to be the first player to make a group of four of a kind while also keeping an eye on everyone else trying to do so.
Learn all about playing Pig.
Beggar My Neighbor
Beggar My Neighbor is a great game for kids because it's so easy to pick up. If your kids know War, it's even better, because the two are pretty close. The game also offers the opportunity to incorporate a math lesson, so you really can't go wrong.
Catch up on the rules of Beggar My Neighbor.
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone can be played with four or more players. Each player is dealt eight cards. You want to get a trick so that you can control the suit for the next round. The game ends immediately when a player empties their hand.
Find out all about Rolling Stone.
Spoons
Spoons is a quickly played game where players swap cards. You'll also need spoons. Grab an amount that's one less than the number of players. Players take turns trying to make four-of-a-kind sets. When a player gets one, everyone grabs for a spoon. The player who doesn't get a spoon gets a letter in the word spoon. If you spell out the whole word, you're out. The last player standing wins.
Get the lowdown on Spoons.
Spades
Spades is a classic card game for many family gatherings. Players bid on the number of tricks they'll be able to take, with a minimum of one trick. The game is then scored based on hands, which is where things get a little tricky.
Learn more about Spades.
