19 Best Card Games for Kids of All Ages: Fun & Educational Family Games

Remember those laughter-filled family game nights at Grandma’s kitchen table, where a deck of cards could transport you to a world of matching, strategy, and good-natured competition? In today’s digital age, with kids glued to screens (those tablets and endless hours of TikTok!), classic card games offer a refreshing alternative – a chance to unplug, connect, and create lasting memories.

This ultimate guide will introduce you to the best card games for kids of all ages, from simple matching games for preschoolers to challenging strategy games that will keep teenagers engaged. We’ll explore the educational benefits of card games, including how they can boost memory, enhance problem-solving skills, and promote social interaction.

1. Go Fish! (Ages 4+)

Go Fish is a classic family card game that’s perfect for young children and beginners. This easy-to-learn matching game is all about memory and a little bit of sneaky fun as you try to collect the most “books” — sets of four cards of the same rank.

Number of Players: 2-6 players

Materials: You’ll need a standard deck of 52 cards. Leave those jokers in the box – they’re taking a vacation from this game!

How to Play:

1. Deal the Cards:
   • 2-3 Players: Each player gets 7 cards.
   • 4-6 Players: Each player gets 5 cards.
   • The remaining cards form the “ocean” (the draw pile).
2. Asking for Cards:
   • The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
   • On your turn, ask another player if they have a card that matches a rank in your hand (e.g., if you have a Queen, you can ask another player for Queens).
   • Remember: You can only ask for a card if you already have at least one of that rank.
3. “Go Fish!”:
   • If the player you asked has the card, they must give you all cards of that rank. You get to ask again.
   • If they don’t have the card, they say, “Go Fish!” You then draw the top card from the ocean. If it’s the card you asked for, you get to go again!
4. Making “Books”:
   • A “book” is a set of four cards of the same rank. When you make a book, lay it down face up on the table.
5. Winning the Game:
   • Go Fish is recommended for ages 4 and up.
   • The game ends when all 13 books have been made.
   • The player with the most books wins!

Variations:

• Two-Card Books: For a faster game, make “books” with just two cards of the same rank.
• Themed Decks: Use decks with fun pictures or themes to engage younger players.

Key Skills Developed: Memory, matching, number/rank recognition, turn-taking, social interaction.

2. Crazy Eights (Ages 5+)

Crazy Eights is a classic and easy card game that’s a hit with kids and adults alike. This fast-paced, shedding card game is all about matching, strategy, and a healthy dose of “take that!” thanks to those wild eights.

Number of Players: 2-7 players (but it gets extra chaotic – and fun – with 5 or 6)

Materials: You’ll need one standard deck of 52 cards.

How to Play:

1. Deal ‘Em Out: Each player gets 7 cards (you can deal fewer cards to younger players). The remaining cards form the draw pile. Flip the top card of the draw pile face up to start the discard pile.
2. Match or Make ‘Em Crazy:
   • On your turn, play a card that matches the top card of the discard pile either by suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) or rank (6 on a 6, Queen on a Queen).
   • Eights are wild – play them anytime and choose which suit comes next!
3. Stuck? Draw!:
   • If you can’t play a card, draw from the draw pile until you can.
   • If the draw pile runs out and you still can’t play, you have to pass your turn.
4. Victory Dance: The first person to empty their hand wins the round! (Don’t forget to yell “Uno!” when you’re down to your last card – it’s practically a card game tradition!)

Variations:

• Switch: Aces are wild instead of Eights, and cards 2 through 8 have special “make them draw” powers!
• Two’s Wild: Eights are still wild, but when a 2 is played, the next player MUST play another 2 or draw two cards. And it keeps doubling with each 2 played!

Key Skills Developed: Matching, number and suit recognition, strategic thinking, adapting to changing circumstances, and maybe a little bit of good-natured gloating.

3. Apples to Apples (Ages 10+)

Apples to Apples is a hilarious party game that’s guaranteed to get the whole family laughing. This fun and easy card game is all about creating the funniest (or most outrageous) card combinations by matching nouns to adjectives.

Number of Players: 4-10 players

Materials: You’ll need the Apples to Apples game set, which comes with special red apple cards (these have the nouns) and green apple cards (with the adjectives).

How to Play:

1. Setup:
   • Shuffle both the red apple cards and green apple cards.
   • Each player gets 7 red apple cards.
   • Choose one player to be the judge. They’re in charge of deciding which card combination is the most hilarious or fitting – in other words, they’re the humor expert for the round.
2. Judge Plays a Card: The judge draws a green apple card (an adjective) and puts it face up in the middle of the table.
3. Find Your Match: All the other players look at their red apple cards (nouns) and choose the one they think best matches the judge’s adjective. It could be a funny match, a weird match, or just the most fitting one.
4. Judgement Time: The judge shuffles the red apple cards that everyone played, reads each one out loud with the green apple card, and picks their favorite match. The winner gets to keep the green apple card as a point.
5. Keep on Matching: The role of judge rotates after each round. Keep playing round after round until someone reaches the target number of green apple cards (this number changes depending on how many players you have).

Variations:

• Crab Apples: Instead of matching, try to find the WORST possible match – the one that’s so bad, it’s good.
• Apple Potpourri: This is where things get unpredictable! Everyone chooses their red apple card BEFORE the judge reveals the green apple card.

Key Skills Developed: Apples to Apples is a great way to encourage creative thinking, expand vocabulary, and practice social interaction. It also helps kids understand that everyone has different perspectives – what’s funny to one person might be totally confusing to someone else.

4. War (Ages 5+)

War is a classic, kid-friendly card game that’s perfect for young children. This simple, two-player card game is a battle of card ranks, where luck plays a big role. Get ready for some fast-paced flipping and dramatic “War!” moments.

Number of Players: 2 players (but you can play with more, though it gets a bit chaotic)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Divide and Conquer:
   • Split the deck evenly between the two players. Each player keeps their pile face down.
2. Flip and Reveal:
   • Both players simultaneously flip the top card of their pile and place it face up in the middle.
3. Higher Card Wins:
   • The player with the higher card rank wins both cards and adds them to the bottom of their pile. Ace is high! (Suits don’t matter in this game.)
4. War!:
   • When both players flip cards of the same rank, it’s WAR!
   • Each player places one card face down and then flips another card face up. The higher card in the second flip wins all the cards from that round.
   • Another tie? Another war!
5. Game Over: The game continues until one player has all the cards.

Variations:

• Multiple Wars: For even more dramatic battles, some versions of War have players placing down THREE cards face down during a war, instead of just one, before revealing the final card.

Key Skills Developed: War helps young children with number recognition, comparing values, and understanding “greater than” and “less than” concepts. It also teaches them how to handle the suspense of a game where luck is a major factor (and maybe a little bit of good-natured trash-talking).

5. Old Maid (Ages 4+)

Old Maid is a classic, easy card game that’s been a family favorite for generations. This kid-friendly matching game is a fun introduction to card games for young children. The goal? Make pairs and avoid ending up with the Old Maid card!

Number of Players: 2-8 players

Materials:

• You can use a standard deck of 52 cards (just remove three Queens, leaving one as the Old Maid).
• OR, you can use a dedicated Old Maid card game set.

How to Play:

1. Deal It Out: Shuffle the cards and deal them one at a time, face down, to each player. It doesn’t matter if everyone doesn’t have the same number of cards.
2. Make Your Pairs: Each player looks at their cards and places any matching pairs (two Kings, two 7s, etc.) face up on the table.
3. Pick a Card, Any Card: The player to the dealer’s left fans out their cards face down. The player to their left chooses one card at random.
4. Match Made in Heaven?
   • If the drawn card makes a pair with a card in the player’s hand, they lay down the pair.
   • If not, they keep the card.
5. Pass It On: Play continues with each player offering their hand (face down) to the person on their right. This goes on until all possible pairs are made.
6. And the Old Maid Is…? The player who’s left holding the single Old Maid card at the end is the “loser.” (But don’t worry, there’s always a chance for revenge in the next round!)

Variations:

• Silly Voices: To make things extra fun, have the person stuck with the Old Maid at the end of each round talk in a silly voice for the next round!

Key Skills Developed: Old Maid helps kids develop matching skills, learn about turn-taking, and handle a little bit of playful tension. It also teaches them how to be a good sport – even when they’re the “unlucky” Old Maid.

6. Uno (Ages 7+)

Uno! It’s a classic card game that’s practically a rite of passage for both kids and adults. This fast-paced, family-friendly card game is all about matching colors, numbers, and symbols. It’s a shedding game, which means you’re trying to get rid of all your cards before your opponents do. And, of course, there are those action cards that let you shake things up and make your opponents draw cards – because a little bit of “take that!” action makes everything more fun.

Number of Players: 2-10 players (perfect for large groups or a family game night)

Materials: You’ll need an Uno card deck, which comes with its own unique set of cards.

How to Play:

1. Deal ‘Em Out: Each player gets 7 cards face down. The remaining cards form the draw pile. Flip the top card of the draw pile face up to start the discard pile.
2. Match It Up:
   • On your turn, play a card from your hand that matches the top card of the discard pile. You can match by:
     • Number: (Play a 5 on a 5)
     • Color: (Play a blue card on a blue card)
     • Symbol: (If it’s an action card, like a Skip or Reverse, you can play another Skip or Reverse, even if it’s a different color.)
3. Draw!: If you can’t play a card, draw a card from the draw pile. If you can play the card you drew, you can lay it down right away. If not, your turn is over.
4. Action Cards = Mayhem: These are the cards that make things really interesting:
   • Reverse: Changes the direction of play (from clockwise to counter-clockwise, or vice versa).
   • Skip: The next player misses their turn.
   • Draw Two: The next player has to draw TWO cards!
   • Wild: This is your get-out-of-jail-free card. You can play it on anything, and you get to choose what color comes next.
   • Wild Draw Four: This is the big one! It works like a Wild, but the next player has to pick up FOUR cards. (They can challenge you, though, if they think you could have played a different card and are just trying to be mean.)
5. Uno! Uno!: Don’t forget to yell “Uno!” when you’re down to your last card. If you forget and someone catches you, you have to draw two cards – ouch!
6. Victory: The first person to get rid of all their cards wins the round. Then, you add up the points based on the cards that everyone else is left holding. The first person to reach 500 points wins the game!

Variations:

• House Rules: Uno is famous for its house rules. Get creative and add your own twists! You can come up with new point penalties, special powers for certain cards, or change the way the Wild cards work.

Key Skills Developed: Uno is a fun and easy way to work on matching, number and color recognition, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making. It also teaches kids a little bit about healthy competition (and maybe a little bit of trash-talking – but hey, it’s all in good fun!).

Related: Discover rules of Uno variations like Uno Attack, Uno Flip, Uno Triple.

7. Skip-Bo (Ages 7+)

Skip-Bo is a classic card game that’s a hit with families and kids who love a bit of a challenge. This easy card game is all about sequencing numbered cards to be the first to get rid of your stockpile.

Number of Players: 2-6 players

Materials: You’ll need the Skip-Bo card game set, which comes with numbered cards from 1 to 12 and those handy “Skip-Bo” wild cards.

How to Play:

1. Deal and Setup:
   • Each player starts with a stockpile of 30 cards (you can use fewer cards for a quicker game). Keep your stockpile face down – this is what you’re trying to get rid of!
   • Flip the top card of your stockpile face up to start your first discard pile. You’ll eventually have four discard piles.
   • The rest of the Skip-Bo cards form the draw pile.
2. Building an Ascending Empire (of Cards):
   • On your turn, draw cards from the draw pile until you have 5 in your hand.
   • Now comes the fun part! You can use the cards in your hand, the top card of your stockpile, and the top card of any of your discard piles to create ascending runs (1, 2, 3…) in the center of the table.
   • These are called “building piles,” and you can have up to four of them going at once.
3. Skip-Bo to the Rescue:
   • Those special Skip-Bo cards are wild! They can be used as any number to help you build your ascending runs. But don’t use them all at once – they’re valuable when you get stuck.
4. Strategic Discarding:
   • If you can’t play a card (or you’re saving it for later), you have to discard one card onto one of your four discard piles.
   • Remember: Only the top card of each discard pile can be used on your turn, so think carefully about which cards you want to keep accessible.
5. First to Finish Wins: The first player to get rid of all the cards in their stockpile wins the round!

Variations:

• Point-Based Games: To make things more competitive, you can keep score! The winner of each round gets 25 points, and everyone else gets penalty points for any cards left in their stockpile. The first player to reach 500 points (or any target you choose) is the winner.

Key Skills Developed: Skip-Bo is a great way to help kids develop strategic thinking skills, learn how to plan ahead, and practice number sequencing. And if you’re playing with points, you’ll even sneak in a bit of addition practice.

8. Concentration/Memory (Ages 3+)

Concentration, also known as Memory, is a classic, kid-friendly card game that’s as simple as it is fun. It’s a matching game that you can play with two or more players, or even by yourself – making it a great option for a solo card game, too! Concentration is perfect for young kids because it’s easy to learn and helps them develop important cognitive skills.

Number of Players: 2 or more players (or even solo!)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Spread ‘Em Out:
   • Shuffle the deck and spread the cards face down on a table.
   • You can arrange them in neat rows or a grid—whatever works best for you.
2. Flip Two: On your turn, flip over two cards so everyone can see them.
3. Match Made in Memory:
   • If the two cards match (they have the same number and suit – like two 7 of hearts), you get to keep the pair, and you get to take another turn.
   • Pro Tip: Try to visualize the location of the cards you’ve already flipped over.
4. No Match, No Problem:
   • If the cards don’t match, flip them back over face down in the same spot.
   • Now it’s the next player’s turn.
5. Memory Master:
   • The game keeps going until all the cards have been matched up into pairs.
   • The player who has collected the most pairs at the end is the winner!

Variations:

• Easy Mode: If you’re playing with younger children, try using fewer cards (like just the Ace through 10) or using a deck of picture cards instead of a standard deck.
• “Any Color” Matching: Another way to make the game easier is to match the cards by number only and ignore the suits. This means a 3 of hearts and a 3 of spades would be a match!

Key Skills Developed: Concentration is a fantastic way for kids to boost their memory, improve concentration and focus, and practice turn-taking.

9. Snap! (Ages 4+)

Snap! is a classic, fast-paced card game that’s perfect for kids who love a bit of chaos and friendly competition. This easy, family-friendly matching card game is all about speed, observation, and, yes, yelling “Snap!” as loud as you can. Get ready for some serious reflex action and lots of laughs.

Number of Players: 2 or more players (the more players you have, the more chaotic and exciting it gets!)

Materials:

• You’ll need a standard deck of 52 cards.
• Pro Tip: If you have 4 or more players, use two decks of cards. Otherwise, the rounds might be over before you can even say “Snap!”

How to Play:

1. Deal ‘Em Out: Choose a dealer (maybe the person who looks the most alert?). They deal all the cards face down, one at a time, to each player. It doesn’t matter if some players get more cards than others – it’s all part of the fun.
2. Ready, Set, Flip!: Each player keeps their cards face down in a pile in front of them.
   • The player to the dealer’s left goes first. They flip over the top card of their pile and place it face up next to their face-down pile.
   • The next player does the same, and so on, going around the circle.
   • If a player runs out of face-down cards, they can just flip over their face-up pile and keep going.
3. Snap!: This is where the real action happens. When two cards with the same rank (for example, two Jacks or two 5s) are flipped face up on top of any of the piles, the first person to yell “Snap!” wins both piles. They get to add those cards to the bottom of their face-down pile.
4. Snap Pile Showdown:
   • If two or more players yell “Snap!” at the same time (which happens a lot!), all those matching cards go into a separate pile in the center of the table. This is the “Snap Pile.”
   • Keep playing like normal. The next time someone flips over a card that matches the top card of the Snap Pile, the first person to yell “Snap Pool!” wins the whole Snap Pile.
5. Game Over: The game continues until one player has won all the cards.

Key Skills Developed: Snap! is a great game to help kids develop their observation skills, practice quick reflexes, and learn about turn-taking (although the concept of turns can get a bit blurry in this game, which just adds to the excitement). It’s also a fun way to practice good sportsmanship, because those “Snap!” battles can get pretty intense!

10. Rummy (Ages 8+)

Rummy is a classic, skill-based card game that’s perfect for families and kids who enjoy a bit of a strategic challenge. This fun card game is all about creating matching sets and runs of cards, called melds, and being the first to get rid of all your cards.

Number of Players: 2-6 players

Materials: You’ll need one standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers needed for this version).

How to Play:

1. Deal ‘Em Up:
   • Each player gets a set number of cards (usually 7-10, depending on how many players are in the game).
   • The remaining cards form the “stock” pile, which is placed face down in the center of the table.
   • Flip over the top card of the stock pile to start the “discard” pile.
2. Meld, Baby, Meld: The objective of Rummy is to get rid of all your cards by creating “melds,” which are specific card combinations:
   • Sets: Three or four cards of the same rank (like four Kings, or three 8s).
   • Runs: Three or more cards in sequence, all of the same suit (like the 5, 6, 7 of hearts).
3. Your Turn, Your Moves: On your turn, you have a few options:
   • Draw: Take the top card from either the stock pile OR the discard pile.
   • Meld: If you have cards in your hand that make a meld, lay them down face up on the table.
   • Lay Off: If you have a card that matches a meld that another player has already laid down, you can add your card to their meld.
   • Discard: After you draw or meld (or both!), you MUST discard one card face up onto the discard pile.
4. Going Out in Style: When you’ve successfully melded all the cards in your hand, you can discard your final card face down and yell “Rummy!”

Variations:

• Rummy Variations Galore: Once you’ve mastered the basic rules of Rummy, you can explore the many different variations of the game. Some variations use jokers, while others have different scoring systems.

Key Skills Developed: Rummy is an excellent way for kids to learn strategic thinking skills, practice planning, improve pattern recognition, and develop good old-fashioned card-playing abilities.

11. Slapjack (Ages 4+)

Slapjack is a classic, fast-paced, action card game that’s been a favorite for generations of kids (and adults who are young at heart). This easy, family-friendly card game is all about speed and reflexes, with a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure. Get ready for some serious hand-slapping fun!

Number of Players: 2-5 players (or more, if your table is big enough and you’re not afraid of a few accidental hand collisions)

Materials: You’ll need one standard deck of 52 cards. Leave the Jokers out for this one – they’re not invited to this party.

How to Play:

1. Deal It Fast: Deal the cards face down, one at a time, to each player. It’s okay if the piles aren’t perfectly even.
2. Flip It Up: The player to the dealer’s left goes first. They flip over the top card of their pile and place it face up in the center of the table.
3. Jack Attack!: When a Jack is flipped, everyone races to slap their hand on it! The fastest player wins the whole pile and gets to add all those cards to the bottom of their pile.
4. Misfire!: If you slap a card that’s NOT a Jack, oops! You have to give one of your cards to the player who flipped the card you mistakenly slapped.
5. Out of Cards? One More Chance: If you run out of cards, you’re not out of the game just yet. You get one “redemption slap.” If you manage to slap the next Jack that gets flipped, you get to take that pile and stay in the game. If you miss it, you’re out.
6. Slapjack Champion: The last player with cards wins!

Variations:

• Double Trouble: If you want to make the game more challenging (and a lot more chaotic), use two decks of cards. Just be prepared for some serious hand-to-hand combat!

Key Skills Developed: Slapjack is a great way for kids to develop fast reflexes, improve their hand-eye coordination, and practice their observation skills (because those Jacks can be sneaky!). Plus, it teaches them to laugh off those accidental mis-slaps – because in Slapjack, a little bit of chaos is all part of the fun!

12. Speed (Ages 8+)

Speed is a classic, fast-paced, competitive card game that lives up to its name. This two-player card game (though you can play with more for a truly chaotic experience) is all about quick thinking, sharp reflexes, and a little bit of strategy. It’s a shedding game, meaning the goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards.

Number of Players: 2 players (but you can play with more for a wild, card-slinging free-for-all)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Setup for Speed:
   • Each player gets 20 cards to start their draw pile, which they keep face down.
   • In the center of the table, place two cards face down. These are the “active piles.”
   • Next to the active piles, each player places 5 cards face down. These are your “reserve piles.”
2. Fast and Furious Flipping:
   • Both players simultaneously flip over the top card of their active pile.
   • Now the race is on! Scan your hand for a card that’s either ONE rank higher or ONE rank lower than either of the face-up active pile cards. Don’t worry about matching suits in this game – a 10 of spades can go on a 9 of hearts, no problem.
   • Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your opponent’s plays to get an idea of what cards they might be holding.
3. Play or Draw:
   • If you have a matching card, slap it down on the corresponding active pile, and then immediately draw a new card from your draw pile to replace it. You should always have 5 cards in your hand.
   • If you don’t have a playable card, wait until your opponent plays a card that you can match.
4. Reserves to the Rescue:
   • If neither player can play a card, you both flip over the top card of your reserve piles onto the active piles. This creates new targets, and the game continues.
5. Speed Demon Champion:
   • The first player to empty their hand AND their draw pile wins the round!

Key Skills Developed: Speed is a great way to work on quick thinking, number sequencing, and observation skills, and it definitely tests those reflexes!

13. Spit (Ages 8+)

Spit is a classic, fast-paced, and unique card game that’s strictly for two players. It’s a competitive, head-to-head battle where speed and quick thinking are key. This challenging card game is known for its slightly chaotic energy – cards fly fast, and things can get pretty intense.

Number of Players: 2 players only – it’s a duel!

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Setup for a Card-Slinging Showdown:
   • Each player gets 26 cards, face down.
   • Now, here’s where Spit gets interesting. Each player creates FIVE stockpiles in front of them: a pile of one card, a pile of two cards, a pile of three cards, and so on. The top card of each stockpile is flipped face up.
   • The remaining cards in each player’s hand become their “spit pile” – their draw pile for the game.
2. Ready, Set, Spit!:
   • Both players yell “Spit!” and simultaneously flip the top card of their spit pile face up into the center of the table. These two center piles are your “spit piles” for the round.
3. Fast-Paced Sequencing:
   • Now it’s a race! You and your opponent are simultaneously trying to play cards from your stockpiles (those five piles in front of you) onto the center “spit piles.” But here’s the catch: you can only play cards in sequential order, either ascending or descending.
   • You can play a card that’s one rank higher OR one rank lower than the top card of either spit pile.
   • Aces are special. They can be high (played on a King) or low (played on a 2), so they’re great for connecting sequences, but you can’t play an Ace on another Ace.
4. No Play? Wait!: If you don’t have a playable card, you have to wait (impatiently!) until your opponent makes a move that gives you a target.
5. Spit Pile Reload: If you use up all the cards in your spit pile, grab one of the center spit piles, shuffle it, and it becomes your new spit pile.
6. Spit Champion: The first player to play all their cards, from both their stockpiles AND their spit pile, wins the game!

Variations:

• “Spit” or “Slap” Rule: Some players like to add a rule where, if you can’t play a card, you have to slap the table or yell “Spit!” when a playable card becomes available. This adds an extra layer of chaos and makes it even more fun (and loud!).

Key Skills Developed: Spit is a great card game for kids because it helps them with number sequencing, teaches them to think quickly and observe what their opponent is doing, and builds their tolerance for a bit of friendly competition (and those inevitable moments of card-flinging frustration).

14. Garbage (Ages 6+)

Garbage (sometimes called Trash) is a classic, easy card game that’s perfect for families and kids who love a bit of a challenge. This fun, kid-friendly card game is all about matching numbered cards and trying to get your 10-card layout in numerical order before your opponents do.

Number of Players: 2-4 players

Materials: You’ll need one standard deck of 52 cards.

How to Play:

1. Setup:
   • Each player is dealt 10 cards, face down.
   • Arrange your 10 cards face down in two rows of five in front of you. This is your “layout.”
   • The remaining cards form the draw pile. Flip over the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.
2. Fill Those Gaps:
   • On your turn, draw a card from either the draw pile or the top of the discard pile.
   • If the card you draw matches a space in your layout, place it face up on that spot.
   • Card Values: Aces act as 1s. Jacks and Queens are useless “garbage” and have to be discarded. Kings are wild cards and can be placed in any space.
3. Flip and Chain:
   • After placing a card in your layout, flip over the card that was in that spot.
   • If the flipped card is also playable (meaning it matches a number in your layout), place it in its spot and keep flipping until you can’t play any more cards.
   • Pro Tip: Pay attention to the cards that are being discarded so you can try to remember what’s available.
4. Garbage Time:
   • If you draw a Jack, Queen, or a card you can’t use, discard it face up on the discard pile. Your turn is over.
   • Victory Dance: The first player to have all 10 cards in their layout flipped over in numerical order (from Ace to 10) wins the round!

Variations:

• Advanced Garbage: For older players who want a longer, more challenging game, try using two decks of cards.

Key Skills Developed: Garbage is a fun way for kids to practice number sequencing, matching, and strategic thinking. It also teaches them to think ahead and watch what their opponents are doing – because in Garbage, you never know what treasure (or trash!) might be lurking in that discard pile.

15. Kings in the Corners (Ages 8+)

Kings in the Corners is a classic and unique card game that’s a fun blend of solitaire and a multiplayer card showdown. This strategy game is perfect for families and kids who enjoy a little friendly competition. You’ll be building descending runs of cards (just like in solitaire), but this time, you’re battling other players for those coveted corner spots (that’s where the Kings come in!).

Number of Players: 2-4 players

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers needed – those guys are off duty)

How to Play:

1. Royal Setup:
   • Deal four cards face up in a cross shape in the middle of the table. These are your starting foundation piles.
   • Each player gets dealt 7 cards (you can deal fewer for a quicker game).
2. Building Your Kingdom (of Cards):
   • The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in their hand.
   • On your turn, draw a card from the draw pile. (You can decide as a group whether you draw at the beginning or end of your turn.)
3. Descending Runs and Alternating Colors:
   • Now, here’s how you play your cards: You can place cards from your hand onto the foundation piles, building in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, down to Ace).
   • BUT… the colors of the cards MUST alternate. That means you have to play a red card (hearts or diamonds) on a black card (clubs or spades), and vice versa.
4. Kings in the Corners, Please!
   • Kings are special in this game. When you have a King, you can place it in one of the empty corners of the playing area, creating a new foundation pile. (That’s how those royal Kings get in their corners!)
5. Merge and Conquer: You can also merge entire foundation piles if the top card of one pile can legally be played onto another pile. Just move the whole stack over!
6. Winning the Round: The first player to play all the cards from their hand wins the round!

Variations:

• Point System: If you want to make things more competitive, play multiple rounds and keep score. You can give points for winning a round, or you can tally up points based on the cards that players have left in their hands at the end of each round (Kings are usually worth the most points because they’re the trickiest to get rid of).

Key Skills Developed: Kings in the Corners is a great game for developing strategic thinking and planning skills. It also helps kids with number sequencing and understanding alternating patterns.

16. President (Ages 12+)

President, sometimes known by other (let’s just say more colorful) names, is a classic, competitive card game that’s perfect for parties and groups of friends. This social card game is a trick-taking and shedding game all rolled into one. It’s all about outplaying your opponents, climbing the social ladder from lowly “peasant” to the coveted title of “President,” and, of course, avoiding that dreaded last-place position.

Number of Players: 4 or more players (the more players, the more chaotic the game gets!)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Deal and Dominate:
   • Deal out all the cards as evenly as possible. Don’t worry if some players end up with one or two extra cards.
   • The player to the dealer’s left starts the round by playing a card face up. This is called “leading” the trick. They can lead with a single card or a set of cards with the same rank (like a pair of 7s or three Queens).
2. Outplay Your Opponents:
   • Play continues clockwise. Each player must play a card or set of cards that’s HIGHER than the previous play to win the trick.
   • Card values run from Ace (high) down to 2 (low).
   • If a player can’t play a higher card or set, they have to pass.
3. President vs. Well… You Know:
   • The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round and becomes the glorious “President.”
   • The last player with cards in their hand gets the, well, less-desirable title. (You get the idea.)
4. The Social Hierarchy Continues:
   • This is where things get really interesting! The results of each round determine the social hierarchy for the next round.
   • The President gets the best seat at the table, and the last-place player (ahem, the “loser”) has to shuffle and deal the cards for the next round.
   • To add insult to injury, the last-place player usually has to give their highest card to the President, and the President gets to start the next round (because, of course, they do).

Variations:

• House Rules Galore: This game is practically made for house rules. You can add all sorts of fun (and potentially embarrassing) twists, like extra penalties for the last-place player, special powers for the President, or even side bets to make things even more competitive.

Key Skills Developed: President is a fun way to practice strategic card play, observation (paying attention to what cards other players have played), and quick thinking. It also teaches a little bit about social maneuvering (those alliances can be fleeting!) and how to take a joke (because let’s face it, those last-place taunts can be brutal).

17. Palace (Ages 10+)

Palace, also known as Shed or China Hand, is a classic and unique card game that’s a hit with families and kids who enjoy a bit of a challenge. This competitive, shedding card game is all about strategy and outsmarting your opponents to be the first to get rid of all your cards.

Number of Players: 2-5 players (use two decks if you’re playing with 3 or more players)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards (or two decks)

How to Play:

1. Building Your Palace:
   • Each player gets THREE cards dealt to them face down. This is the foundation of your “Palace” (don’t look at these cards yet!).
   • Then, each player gets SIX more cards dealt face up.
   • Choose THREE of those face-up cards to place on top of your Palace foundation.
   • The rest of the cards form the draw pile in the center of the table. Flip the top card of the draw pile face up to start the discard pile.
2. Play or Pay:
   • On your turn, try to play a card from your hand that’s either the SAME rank or HIGHER than the top card of the discard pile. Card ranks run from Ace (high) to 2 (low).
   • If you can play a card, draw back up to three cards so you have three cards in your hand again.
   • If you can’t play a card, you have to take the ENTIRE discard pile and add it to your hand. (Ouch!)
3. Special Cards = Chaos:
   • 2 (Wild Card): You can play a 2 on ANY card, and it “resets” the discard pile, meaning you can start a new sequence with any card you want.
   • 10 (Pile Eliminator): This card gets rid of the entire discard pile!
   • 7 (Optional Reverse): In some versions of Palace, playing a 7 reverses the direction of play. So instead of playing cards that are higher, you’d have to play cards that are LOWER.
4. Palace Showdown:
   • Once you’ve gotten rid of all the cards in your hand, you start playing from your face-up Palace cards.
   • After you’ve played all your face-up Palace cards, you flip over your face-down Palace cards one at a time and try to play them (no peeking!).
5. Winner Takes the Palace: The first player to get rid of ALL their cards, including those in their Palace, is the winner of the game.

Key Skills Developed: Palace is a great game for practicing strategic thinking, planning, and number sequencing. It also helps kids learn to pay attention to what others are doing (especially what cards are being discarded) and how to deal with unexpected twists and turns in a game. And let’s face it, winning at Palace feels pretty darn good, so it’s a great way to encourage some good-natured gloating!

18. Gin Rummy (Ages 10+)

Gin Rummy is a classic, skill-based card game that’s perfect for a head-to-head battle of wits. This fun, two-player card game is all about strategy, observation, and knowing when to take a risk. Think you’ve got what it takes to go Gin?

Number of Players: Strictly 2 players – this is a one-on-one duel!

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers needed here)

How to Play:

1. Deal and Meld:
   • Each player gets 10 cards. The remaining cards form the stock pile, and one card is flipped face up to start the discard pile.
   • The goal is to arrange the cards in your hand into melds, which are sets and runs:
     • Sets: Three or four cards of the same rank (like three 9s or four Jacks).
     • Runs: Three or more cards in sequence, all of the same suit (like the 4, 5, 6 of clubs).
   • Card values are important: Aces are low (worth 1 point), face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) are worth 10 points each, and number cards are worth their face value.
2. Your Turn, Your Choices: On your turn, you can either:
   • Draw: Take the top card from the stock pile or the discard pile.
   • Meld: If you have cards that make a meld, you can lay them down face up on the table.
3. Knock, Knock! (Is That a Gin I Hear?):
   • You can “knock” to end a round when you’ve managed to get all but one of your cards into melds. That leftover card is called your “deadwood,” and it has to have a value of 10 points or less.
   • Pro Tip: Watch your opponent’s discards carefully – they might give you clues about the melds they’re trying to create.
4. Knock vs. Undercut:
   • Knocking is risky. If your opponent has the same or fewer deadwood points than you when you knock, they “undercut” you and get points instead.
5. Going Gin: The Ultimate Power Play:
   • If you manage to meld ALL 10 of your cards with ZERO deadwood, that’s called “going gin.” It’s a thing of beauty! You get a 25-point bonus, plus all the points from your opponent’s deadwood.
6. Counting Up the Points:
   • If you knock and your opponent has more deadwood points than you, you get the difference.
   • If your opponent undercuts you, they get 10 points plus any difference in deadwood points.
   • The first player to reach 100 points wins the game!

Key Skills Developed: Gin Rummy is a great way to improve strategic thinking and planning skills. It also teaches observation, helps kids learn how to manage risk (knowing when to knock is a gamble!), and maybe even encourages a bit of poker face practice.

19. Blackjack (Ages 10+)

Blackjack is a classic casino card game that’s a fun way for kids to practice their math skills while learning a bit of strategy. This number game is surprisingly challenging (even adults can have a tough time mastering it). It’s all about getting as close to 21 as possible without going over – and making sure you beat the dealer!

Number of Players: 2 or more players (with one person acting as the dealer)

Materials: One standard deck of 52 cards

How to Play:

1. Deal ‘Em Out:
   • Each player gets two cards face up. The dealer also gets two cards, but one is face up and the other is face down (this is the “hole card”).
2. Hit or Stand? That Is the Question:
   • The goal is to get your cards to add up to as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21 (that’s called “busting”).
   • Card values: Cards numbered 2 through 10 are worth their face value. Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10. Aces are special – they can be worth 1 or 11, depending on what works best for your hand.
   • Players take turns deciding whether to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep their current cards).
   • Pro Tip: Think about the probability – what are the chances you’ll bust if you take another card?
3. Dealer’s Turn:
   • Once all the players have decided to stand, the dealer flips over their hole card.
   • The dealer has specific rules they have to follow: they MUST hit (take another card) if their hand total is 16 or less, and they MUST stand if their hand total is 17 or more.
4. Winning and Losing:
   • If you go over 21, you bust and lose, even if the dealer also busts.
   • If you don’t bust and your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand (or the dealer busts), you win!
   • If you and the dealer have the same hand total, it’s a push (a tie).
   • Getting a “Blackjack” (an Ace and a 10-value card) on your first two cards is an automatic win, unless the dealer also has a Blackjack (then it’s a push).

Key Skills Developed: Blackjack is a great way for kids to practice addition, develop strategic thinking, and learn about probability (and maybe a little bit about risk-taking – but don’t worry, there’s no actual gambling involved here!).