15 Best Card Games for Kids 

Card games have been a staple of family entertainment for generations! Easy card games for kids provide a fun and engaging way for children to develop their social skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. 

As the legendary educator and psychologist Jean Piaget once said, “Play is the work of children.” Playing card games with children can help foster a love for learning.

These fun card games with kids promote the development of important life skills such as patience, strategy, and sportsmanship. 

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Kid-friendly card games are a wonderful way to bring families together and spend some quality time. With a simple deck of cards, the possibilities for play are endless, and the benefits are infinite as well.

Easy Card Games For Kids 

From the classic game of Go Fish to more fast-paced and exciting kid-friendly card games like Speed, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to what games you can play with a deck of cards.

What’s more, they are a fun, educational activity to do with your kids and banish boredom.

1. Snap

Snap is a fun and easy card game that will provide hours of entertainment for kids and families. With its fast pace and exciting gameplay, it’s no wonder why it’s a classic game that has been enjoyed by generations.

Age Group: 5+ ages

Number of Players: 2 to 8 players

How to play? 

• Each player is dealt an equal number of cards, which they place face-down in front of them. 
• The game starts with the first player turning over their top card, and placing it face-up on the side. Then, every player does the same one-by-one. 
• As the game proceeds, if two cards of the same rank are revealed, any player may shout “Snap!” The first person to do so can collect both the cards and add them to their pile (at the bottom). 
• In case two or more players shout “Snap” at the same time, then their cards are placed in the center, also called “Snap pot.”
• The players then move on to reveal their top card once again. And if any player’s top card again matches with the snap pot’s top card, players may shout “Snap pot!” 
• The first player to shout gets to stack all the cards from the snap pot to their own pile. 
• The game continues until one player has all the cards and wins! 

Variation: Speed snap is a faster version where players turn over their cards more quickly. 

2. Menagerie

Menagerie is great game for sleepovers and pyjama parties that assures healthy dose of laughter with wholesome entertainment.

Age Group: 5+ years

Number of Players: 4+ players

How to play?

• To play menagerie, each player picks a difficult animal name like “Deathstalker scorpion” or “Honey Badger.” Then, all names are written on paper slips and shaken up in a box for players to choose. 
• The animal name that you get is yours for the rest of the game. Now, the game proceeds just like a Snap. All players reveal their top card, one-by-one. 
• The only twist is when your card matches with another player’s card, you have to shout their animal name three times!
• If you do it correctly, you will win their face-up cards. However if you shout the wrong names, you have to give up yours. 

The player with the biggest menagerie of animals wins!

3. SlapJack

Slapjack is a simple card game that has been around for centuries. It is a game of quick reflexes, strategy, and luck that involves slapping down the Jack! 

Age group: 4+ 

Number of players: 2 to 4 players 

How to play?                                                                                               

• The game starts with each player being dealt with equal cards that they cannot see or check. Players create a pile of their cards, and keep them face-down. 
• The first player draws out a card from the top of their pile and places it in the center, face-up. All the other players follow the same in a clockwise manner! 
• If a Jack is revealed, players race to slap the center pile with their hand. The player who slaps the pile first takes all the cards and adds them to their own stack. 
• The game continues until one player has all the cards and becomes the winner! 

Note: If any player slaps the wrong cards, they have to give away one card to the player on their right. 

Variations: 

1. King Slapjack: Players slap the pile if a King is revealed.
2. One-Handed Slapjack: Players must play the game using only one hand.
3. Partner Slapjack: Players team up with a partner and play against other pairs.
4. Blind Slapjack: Players close their eyes while slapping the pile, adding an element of surprise to the game.

Related: Also try these Fun Math Card Games to sneak in numeracy skills while playing!

4. Rummy

With its simple rules and endless variations, Rummy is a great card game. Whether you’re looking for a quick game on the go or a longer family game night, Rummy is the perfect choice.

Age group: Ages 8 and up

Number of Players: 2 to 6 players

How to Play? 

• The dealer shuffles the deck and deals the the cards according to the number of players. 2 players: 10 cards each. 3-4 Players: 7 cards each5-6 Players: 6 cards each
• Place the remaining cards face-down in the center of the table to form a draw pile. Also, pick the top card from the draw pile and place it face-up on the side to form a discard pile. 
• The first player starts the game by drawing a card from the draw pile or the discard pile. They can choose to form combinations of 3 or more cards of the same rank or a run of consecutive cards of the same suit. 
• The player must then discard one card from their hand by placing it face-up on the discard pile.
• The next player then takes their turn, repeating the steps above.
• Players continue to draw and discard until they have formed combinations of all of their cards. The first player to reveal all their card combinations wins the game! 

Variations: 

1. Canasta: A four-player game that uses two decks and includes wildcards, melds, and the ability to go out by forming canastas.
2. 500 Rummy: A game for two to six players that involves scoring points for forming combinations and being the first player to reach 500 points.
3. Kaluki: A rummy game with two decks and allows players to steal cards from their opponents.

5. Spades 

Spades is one of the best card games for children that has a unique twist, setting it apart from other games.

The objective of Spades is to win the most tricks (rounds) by playing the highest-ranked cards. Note that Spades are always trump in this game, and other suits have no intrinsic value in the gameplay.  

Age Group: 4+ ages 

Number of Players: 4-6 players 

How to Play:

• Spades uses a standard deck of 52 cards, with the Ace being the highest card and the 2 being the lowest. 
• The deck is shuffled and dealt clockwise, with each player receiving 13 cards. If extra players are there, another deck can be used. 
• After the cards are dealt, each player makes an assumptive bid indicating the number of tricks (deals) they plan to win. 
• Then, the first player starts the trick by placing any card they choose in the center of the table (face-up). 
• Continuing the lead, each player places a card down that matches the same suit. The player with the highest-ranked card of the suit wins the trick. 
• The player who wins the trick leads the next round, and the process continues until all 13 tricks have been played.
• Points are awarded for each trick won, with the player that wins the most tricks receiving 10 points for each trick bid. Moreover, teams receive penalty points for not fulfilling their bid.  
• The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined score, usually 500 or 1000 points!

Variations: 

1. Mirror Spades: In this variation, the player opposite to you is your partner, and the objective is to win the same number of tricks as your partner.
2. Suicide Spades: Players must bid the exact number of tricks they plan to win. If a player fails to follow their bid, they receive a penalty.
3. Blind Nil: One player bids to win zero tricks without looking at their cards. If the player succeeds, they receive a large bonus. If they fail, they receive a penalty. 

Quick Tip: Pair these games with Dice Games for Kids to add variety & excitement.

6. Happy Families 

The objective of this easy card game is to collect as many families (sets of four cards of the same rank) as possible. 

Age Group: 3+ ages

Number of Players: 2 to 4 players

How to Play: 

• Shuffle the cards and deal them among all players. For two players, deal 8 cards each; for three players, deal six cards; and for four or more players, deal five cards. Remaining cards go in the middle pile.
• The first player starts the game by asking other players for cards of specific rank and suit to complete a family. For example, “Do you have a king of Spades?”
• If the asked player has the requested card, they must give it to the requester. In this case, the requester gets another turn. However, if they don’t have the requested card, they say “not at home.” 
• Then, the requester has to draw a card from the middle pile. If the drawn card is the requested one, the player shows off the card and says “lucky dip” and draws another card.
• If the card isn’t what the requester was searching for, they keep it and the turn moves to the next player. 
• When a player completes a family, they place it face-down in front of them. Game continues till all families are complete. The player with the most families wins. 

This is a great game to improve children’s memory, concentration, and social skills. They can also learn about different family relationships and ranks of cards in a deck. 

Variations: 

1. Silent Happy Families: This variation is played without speaking, with players using gestures or written messages to ask for specific cards.
2. Picture Happy Families: This variation uses picture cards, instead of standard cards, such as different types of animals or objects.

7. Go Fish

One of the most loved childhood card games, Go Fish is played just like Happy Families but with a minor difference. Instead of specifying the rank and suit of the card, the requester can ask only for a specific rank. Like “Do you have any eights?”

The players have to collect as many sets of 4 of a kind as possible. A set of 4 can be formed by either asking other players for specific cards or drawing from the draw pile. 

Age Group: 3+ ages

Number of Players: 2 to 10

8. Crazy Eights 

Crazy Eights is simple to learn, easy to play, and can be enjoyed by 2 to 8 players!  

Age Group: 5+ ages

Number of Players: 2 to 8 players

How to Play:

• Shuffle the deck and deal each player 5 cards. Place the remaining cards face-down in a stockpile, and discard the top card to start a discard pile. Note: If the discarded card is an “8,” return it to the stockpile, and flip another card for the discard pile. 
• The first player starts the game by playing a card that either matches the suit or rank of the discard pile’s top card. The only exception is an “8” which is a wild card and can be played on anything. 
• When you play an 8 card, you can pick a new suit. The next player can then play an 8 card or a card that matches your picked suit. If they don’t have anything to play, they must draw from the stockpile until they get a playable card. 
• The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round! 

Variations: 

1. Crazy Jokers: Jokers are added to the deck and can be played on any card.
2. Reverse Crazy: The direction of play changes whenever a player plays an eight card. 

9. War

War is one of best timeless classic card game ideas to play, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer.

Age Group: 6+ ages 

Number of Players: 2 players 

How to Play:

• Deal out the entire deck evenly between two players, face-down. 
• Each player turns over the top card of their deck simultaneously and places it face-up in the center. 
• The player with the highest card wins the “war” and takes both cards, stocking them at the bottom of their deck.
• In case both drawn cards have the same value, a “war” occurs. In the war, both players place three cards face-down, and a fourth card face-up, alongside their initial card.  
• The player with the highest fourth card wins all the cards on the table. Then, the game continues until one player has won all the cards! 

10. Old Maid 

Step into the world of mischievous fun with Old Maid. Playful strategy and a touch of luck are key in this thrilling game of matching and dodging. Can you outwit your opponents and avoid becoming the titular Old Maid?

Age Group: 4-10 ages 

Number of Players: 2 to 12

How to Play:

• Start by removing three Queen cards from a standard deck of playing cards. The last Queen card will be the “Old Maid” in this game! 
• Deal the remaining cards evenly to all players (typically 2-6 players). Each player should look at their own cards and try to make pairs of matching cards (e.g. two Kings, two Aces, etc.). 
• The first player starts the game by drawing a card from the person to their left. The other player must hold their cards in the air face-down, so the drawer cannot see what they are getting.  
• The player who draws the card then checks to see if the card completes a pair. If it does, the player lays down the pair on the table.
• The next player then takes their turn by drawing a card from the person to their left. 
• This game continues until all pairs have been made and laid down, leaving one player with the Old Maid.
• The player who is left holding the Old Maid at the end of the game loses. 
• If a player runs out of cards, they can no longer take part in the game and must sit out until the end. The player with the most pairs in the end, wins! 

Old Maid can also be played with additional rules, such as players having to make a minimum number of pairs before they can lay them down. Or players being allowed to swap cards with one another to make pairs. 

11. Memory Match

Put your memory skills to the test with one of the best card games for kids, Memory Match! 
Age Group: 5+ ages 

Number of Players: 2 to 4 players 

How to Play:

• Take a standard deck of playing cards and remove all the numbers, leaving only the picture cards (Jack, Queen, King, Ace). If you wish to make the game difficult, you can leave the number cards in. 
• Lay all the cards face-down in four rows on a flat surface.
• Then, players take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find a matching pair. 
• If the cards match, the player keeps them and takes another turn. If the cards do not match, the player turns them back over and it becomes the next player’s turn.
• The game continues until all pairs have been found and removed from the table. The player with the most pairs at the end of the game wins. 
• Note: Make sure you are focusing when other players turn cards, so that it’s easier to match a pair when it’s your turn! 

Related: Work on your child’s memory skills the fun way through Memory Games for Kids!

12. Kid-Friendly Poker 

Get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of poker with a kid-friendly twist! 

Age Group: 7+ ages 

Number of Players: 2 to 14 players 

How to Play:

• Start by shuffling the cards. Deal out two cards to each player, also called hole cards. 
• The first round of betting begins with the first player. They can choose to “check” (not bet), “bet” (put chips in the pot), or “fold” (give up their hand and take no further part in the betting). 
• The next player then takes their turn, and the betting continues clockwise around the table. 
• Once the first round of betting is finished, the dealer deals out three more cards to the center of the table (the “flop”). Players should closely look at these cards and decide if they can form a good hand or not. 

A good hand might include a pair, two pairs, three of a kind, a straight (five cards in sequence), a flush (five cards of the same suit), a full house (three of a kind and a pair), four of a kind, a straight flush (three cards with same value and suit), or a royal flush (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit). 

• Another round of betting begins, starting with the first player again. The dealer then reveals a fourth card to the center (the “turn”).
• Next round of betting begins. The dealer then reveals a fifth and final card (the “river”).
• The final round of betting begins. If two or more players are left in the game after the final round of betting, a “showdown” occurs, and the player with the best hand wins the pot (the chips that have been bet during the hand). 

Note: This version of poker is kid-friendly and can be played with game counters or other items to represent bets (e.g. candy, toys, etc.).

The betting can also be simplified or removed altogether, making the game more about the strategy of building the best hand! 

13. BlackJack

Blackjack is a popular casino card game that is also known as 21. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer by having a hand value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible, without going over! 

Age Group: 8+ ages

Number of Players: 2 to 7 players

How to Play:

• Start by shuffling a standard deck of playing cards. Deal two cards to each player, face-up. Only the dealer’s second card can be kept face-down. Don’t worry, the dealer reveals it in the end!
• The goal of the game is to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over.
• The value of cards ‘2’ through ‘10’ is their face value, while face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 and Aces are worth 1 or 11, whichever is more advantageous for the player. 
• Players look at their cards and can choose to “hit” and take an additional card from the dealer. They just have to tap on the table, indicating “hit” and the dealer will deal them a card. This is done in an attempt to improve the hand.
• If in case your hand moves over 21 in value, you “bust” and lose the game right away. 
• You can also choose to “stand” and keep your current hand. After a couple rounds, the player with the hand closest to 21, without going over, wins the game! 

14. Speed

Are you looking for 2 player card games for kids? Speed is a fast-paced game that involves quick reflexes and fast thinking. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by matching them with cards on the table! 

Age Group: 5+ ages

Number of Players: 2 players 

How to Play:

• Shuffle a deck and deal 5 cards to both players, forming their hands. Next, deal 15 more cards to each player for their personal draw deck. 
• Now, place two cards in the center of the table (face-down). Also, form a face-down pile of five cards beside each card. This will be our setup for the Speed card game. 
• To start the game, both players turn one of the two center cards simultaneously. Remember, there are no turns in this game. All plays happen at the same time. 
• Now, you must try to discard cards from your hand, one-by-one, to either of the center piles.
• You should play a card that is either one number above or one number below the top card of the pile you’re playing to. For example, if the center card is 9 (like in the image below), then you can play either a 10 or 8 over it! 
• Ace is both low and high card in this game, considered above the king as well as below 2. This way the cards form a looping sequence, and players can keep discarding their hand. 
• The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game! 

Rules: 

1. If you have less than 5 cards in your hand, you must draw cards from your personal deck (one at a time). Note that you cannot hold on to more than 5 cards. 
2. If neither player can make a move, then the top cards of the extra center piles are placed over the center piles. 

15. Beggar My Neighbor 

Beggar my Neighbor is a simple card game, also known as “Beat your neighbors out of doors.” The objective of the game is to win all of the opponent’s cards by playing higher-ranking cards. 

Age Group: 6+ ages

Number of Players: 2 players

How to Play:

• Start by shuffling a deck of cards and dealing out all cards from the deck, one-by-one. The cards remain face-down on the table, in front of the players. 
• The game begins with the first player flipping over their top card and placing it in the center to form a center pile. The turn then moves to the other player who does the same! 
• The play continues back and forth until an Ace, King, Queen or Jack shows up.
• The player who turns up any of these face cards, gets the chance to earn a payment from their opponent. An Ace earns 4 cards; King earns 3 cards; Queen earns 2 cards and Jack earns 1 card
• In simple words, if your opponent plays a face card (e.g. an ace card), you have to play 4 cards on your turn. Now there are two scenarios that can happen from here: 

1. You play four cards, and no face card shows up in your turn. In this case, your opponent may collect the center pile and place it in the bottom of their deck. Another round begins! 
2. You play four cards, and any of the face cards show up. In this case, the turn moves back to your opponent, and now they have to make the payment based on the face card that turned up. 

• The game is completed when a player wins all of their opponent’s cards! 

16. Game of Pure Strategy (GOPS)

Get ready for an unforgettable game night with GOPS, the fast-paced and entertaining card game that will put your strategy and luck to the test!

Age Group: 5+ years

Number of Players: 2 players 

How to Play:
Note: The Ace card is worth 1 point, 2 through 10 cards are worth their face value, and jack, queen, and king cards are worth 11, 12, and 13 points respectively. 

• Sort the deck into four suits; each player receives one suit. One of the other two suits is discarded from the game, and the last suit is shuffled and placed face-down in the center as a draw pile! 
• Next, a card from the daw pile is flipped and placed beside it. This card is also called “prize.” 
• Now both players have to play a bid card face-down and flip it together. Whoever has the highest-ranking card wins the prize! The bid cards are discarded and the winner keeps the prize card. 
• Then, another card from the draw pile is flipped and it’s the new prize. Players again play a bid card face-down, and reveal it together. Whoever wins, keeps the prize. 
• The game ends when all cards in hand are played. Players then add up their prize values (as per the rules), and whoever has the most score, wins! 

Card games online 

Online card games are a great way to pass the time and have fun. With the convenience of the internet, it is now possible to play a variety of online card games for free! They are great at entertaining kids while travelling or on a boring afternoon.

1. Uno crazy games 
2. Tri Peaks Social
3. Bridge card game
4. Texas Hold’em: Poquer Clasico
5. Rummy card game
6. Poki Spider Solitaire 
7. Spades card game
8. Crescent Solitaire 
9. Addiction Solitaire
10. Hearts card game 

How To Play Card Games? 

Playing card games with kids is simple and easy. Here are some basic steps to follow:

Choose a Game

Select a simple card game for kids that is appropriate for their age and skill level. Some popular card games for kids include Go Fish, Old Maid, and Crazy Eights.

Gather The Necessary Materials

Depending on the game, you may need a standard deck of playing cards, special cards, or a game board and game counters.

Explain The Rules

Clearly explain the rules of the game to the kids, including how to play, what the objective is, and any special conditions. 

Deal The Cards

You can either choose to keep a fixed dealer for all games or one of the players can be the dealer. Deal the cards to the players, making sure that everyone has the same number of cards.

Start Playing

Once everyone has their cards, it’s time to start playing! The game must always start with the player left to the dealer, and run in a clockwise direction. Encourage the kids to think critically and use their strategy skills to try to win the game.

Practice Good Sportsmanship

Remind the kids to be polite, friendly, and respectful to their opponents, even when they are losing.

In conclusion, card games to play with kids are a fantastic way to engage children’s minds and improve their cognitive skills! 

From the classic card game of War to the playful Old Maid and the memory-testing Memory Match, this list of card games is sure to provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. 

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