Card Games for Kids and Families
Old Maid This classic kid's card game is often played with a custom deck, but you can just as easily play it with a standard deck of cards—just take out one of the queens. All of the other cards pair up, leaving one queen as the odd one out. Make up house rules that apply to specific pairs to make the game more exciting! Players: 3+ Decks: 1 standard deck with 1 queen removed Space requirements: Not necessarily a table, but enough space so that people can sit around and play without seeing each other's cards. Each player also needs space to display their pairs in some way as the game progresses. Time: 5-15 minutes
Crazy Eights Eights are wild in crazy eights, hence the name—and so are jokers. At its heart, it's a shedding-card game, similar to Uno, where your goal is to get rid of all of your cards. This is a classic family game that's fun for players of all ages. Players: 2-5 (6-10 with 2 decks of cards) Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A clean table all of the players can sit around. Time: 10-15 minutes
Go Fish Younger kids love playing go fish, and it gives them a healthy outlet for practicing saying "no" to people. Teens and adults might not get as much out of this one, but it's a simple game that's easy to learn and travels well—you don't technically even need a table and you can play it practically anywhere. Players: 2-6 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Not necessarily a table, just enough room for your players to sit no further than arm's length away from each other and a stable location for the discard pile. Time: 5-15 minutes
Snap If you're looking for a game that's great for kids and also moves pretty fast, why not try snap? It's also great if you have a group with a wide age range, since being older doesn't necessarily give you an advantage. Games are also short, which is perfect for younger folks with shorter attention spans. Players: 4+ Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed (leave the jokers in to make the game harder, or leave them in and make them wild so the game is even easier) Space requirements: A clean table all of the players can sit around and have a clear view of every other player's cards. Time: around 5 minutes Variations: Anomia
I Doubt It This classic bluffing game also goes by "cheat" or "bullshit". It seems like everyone knows their own version or plays by their own house rules, so make sure you clarify everything before you shuffle up and deal. Regardless of anything else, your goal is to get rid of your cards by any means necessary—as long as you don't get caught. Players: 2+ Decks: 1 standard deck (2 decks if you have 6 or more people playing) Space requirements: Not necessarily a table, although a table's nice—a stable spot for the discard pile that's within arm's length of all players Time: 15-20 minutes
War Games of War can get pretty heated. While some are quick and decisive, others become battles of attrition that could wage on well over an hour (or until someone gives up). The beauty of this classic kid's game is that it easily accommodates a larger number of players. Players: 2+ Decks: 1 standard deck with jokers removed (2 decks if you have 6 or more people playing, or more if you want the game to last longer) Space requirements: A clean table that all players can sit around and have a clear view Time: 10-40 minutes
Social Card Games
Rummy There are seemingly infinite variations of this classic card-shedding game, with equally endless house rules to spice up play. Best for 3 to 5 players who have some time to commit, although you can agree to end the game at a lower score or after a specific number of rounds to speed things up. Players: 2-6 Decks: 1 standard deck with jokers removed Space requirements: A table everyone can sit around and have space for their cards Time: 30 minutes to 2+ hours Variations: Gin Rummy, Canasta
Palace People call this a lot of different names and often follow slightly different rules, but the goal of Palace is always the same—be the first player to get rid of all of your cards. This game is best for a small group that you can gather around the dining room or kitchen table. Players: 2-5 Decks: 1 standard deck with jokers removed Space requirements: A table everyone can sit around and have space for their cards in front of them Time: around 30 minutes
Mao This shedding-cards type game is played similarly to Crazy Eights or Uno, with a huge difference—players of Mao can't tell other players the rules. Your goal is to get rid of all of your cards, but how you do that requires a bit of trial and error and good inductive reasoning skills to figure out what the rules are so you can keep from getting penalized. Players: 4-5 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Time: about 5 minutes per round
President At its heart, it's a basic card-shedding game, but the beauty of President lies in its boundless capacity to be augmented by ridiculous house rules. A game can last for minutes or for hours and can accommodate large numbers of players with ease. Players: 3+ Decks: at least 1 standard deck (more decks invite more combinations) Space requirements: Typically played around a table, but as long as everyone can reach the center pile you're good to go. Time: 5-15 minutes
Poker You don't necessarily need to bet money to play poker—the game is just as fun if you're using pennies or even scraps of paper for chips. While this is typically considered more of an adult game, older kids can use it to practice math skills, strategy, and card ranking. Players: 2+ (4-6 is best) Decks: 1 standard deck (you'll also need something to use for betting) Space requirements: Varies depending on the type of poker you're playing, but typically played around a table. Time: typically 2-3 hours 'Variations: Let It Ride, Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw
Ninety-Nine Whether you call it 99, "99 or Bust," or "Oh No 99," the object is the same: keep the total of all cards under 99. While it might take you a little while to get the card values and functions down, the game itself is pretty easy and only requires players to use basic addition and subtraction. Players: 3-6 Decks: 1 standard deck with jokers removed, plus something to use for tokens (you'll need 3 for each player) Space requirements: A table large enough for all of the players to sit around and have space in front of them for their cards and tokens. Time: about 30 minutes
Trick-Taking Games
Hearts Trick-taking games are some of the most popular games you can play with a standard deck of cards, but some are more complicated than others. Hearts is perhaps the simplest and easiest trick-taking game and allows players to grasp the basic concept of this type of game. Players: 3-7, but 4 is best Decks: 1 standard deck (3 players: remove 2 of diamonds, deal each player 17 cards; 3 players: remove 2 of diamonds and 2 of clubs, deal 10 cards; 6 players: remove the 2 and 3 of diamonds plus the 3 and 4 of clubs, deal 8 cards; 7 players: remove the 2 and 3 of diamonds plus the 3 of clubs, deal 7 cards) Space requirements: Typically played around a table so each person has room in front of them for their cards. Time: about 5 minutes
Spades As far as trick-taking games are concerned, spades is only a little more difficult than hearts, but games can take a lot longer. If you're thinking about starting a game of spades, make sure you've got a comfortable spot and some time to kill. Players: 3-6 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Typically played around a table or somewhere players can lay out their cards and get comfortable. Time: 1-2 hours
Whist This classic trick-taking game lit up many a parlor in the 1700s—even George Washington is said to have played it. Whist might not be as popular in the 21st century, but that doesn't mean you and your friends can't help it stage a comeback. Players: 4 players partnered up into 2 teams Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Typically played around a table so each player has room to lay out their cards. Time: about 30 minutes
Euchre Unless you live in areas where it's popular (including the Midwest United States, Australia, and New Zealand), you might find euchre confusing at first. This trick-taking game has some unexpected rules, but once you get the hang of it, the game itself is pretty simple to play. Players: 4 Decks: 1 standard deck, but remove all cards except the ace, king, queen, jack, 10, and 9 of each suit. Space requirements: Typically played around a table so each player has room to lay out their cards. Time: 20-30 minutes
500 How did a game that was invented by the US Playing Card Company become the national card game of Australia? That's what happens if the game happens to be 500, designed to be a trick-taking combination of euchre and bridge that folks Down Under just go mad for. Players: 4 (although there are variations with 2, 3, 5, or 6 players) Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Typically played around a table so each player has room to lay out their cards. Time: around 30 minutes
Pinochle The cards you use for pinochle might seem intimidating at first, but it's a pretty easy game to pick up. If you have experienced players, pair them up with beginners so everyone can learn and grow together. Players: 4 playing as teams of 2 or 3 players playing individually Decks: 48 cards (two 24-card decks) or 80 cards (four 20-card decks) Space requirements: Typically played around a table so each player has room to lay out their cards. Time: around 1 hour
Games for One Person
Clock Patience If you've got some time to kill, clock patience is a great way to do that. Like most solitaire games, you'll need a table or similar flat space where you can spread out your cards undisturbed. It can also take a little bit of time to lay the cards out correctly so you can play. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A table or similar flat, stable area where you can spread out your cards. Time: 5-10 minutes
Solitaire If you're hanging out alone and bored but have a deck of cards on hand, you can't go wrong with a round of classic solitaire. While it might not be the most exciting single-player game, it's pretty quick and simple to set up and can keep your mind occupied. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: A table or similar flat, stable area where you can spread out your cards. Time: 10-15 minutes
Poker Squares If you play poker, you'll probably really like poker squares, which is a solitaire game that requires you to make your best poker hand. In fact, you might even tell yourself that you're really just training for your future career as a professional poker player. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: A large table with plenty of room to lay the cards out so you can play. Time: 15-20 minutes
Wish Wish is a version of solitaire with a really simple and straightforward layout that doesn't require a lot of space. At the same time, it can present a challenge for anyone from kids to adults, making it a favorite way to pass the time wherever you are. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck with jokers, 2s and 6s removed Space requirements: A stable flat space about the size of a laptop or tray table where you can lay out your cards. Time: 5-10 minutes
Beehive Beehive is a really fun and creative solitaire game that's fairly easy to grasp but still presents enough of a challenge to be satisfying. While the game is designed to appeal to kids, adults will get a kick out of it as well. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: A large table with plenty of room to lay the cards out so you can play. Time: 10-20 minutes
Aces Up If you don't have a lot of space and you've only got a few minutes, Aces Up might just be the game for you. The best part of this game is that, unlike other solitaire games, you don't need a whole table to spread out your cards. Players: 1 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: Just enough space to lay 4 cards out flat. Time: 2-4 minutes
Games for Two People
GOPS The name is an acronym for "Game of Pure Strategy" for a reason—the idea is that this is a game you can play that doesn't involve luck or chance at all, only pure strategy and reason. It's basically a bluffing game, but it's a really weird one. But it's also pretty easy to pick up and a lot of fun to play. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck with the hearts and jokers removed Space requirements: A small table so you can sit across from each other and have the cards (and your bids) placed between you. Time: 15-20 minutes
Scopa Scopa originated in Italy and might not be familiar to people from other countries, but it's a lot of fun to play. You can also play the game with 4 people playing in 2 teams. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A small table so you can sit across from each other and have the cards between you. Time: around 30 minutes
German Whist Most trick-taking games require at least 3 people, but German whist is a rare exception to that requirement. It's also called "honeymoon whist" for that reason, although you certainly don't have to be in love to play a game of German whist. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A small table so you can sit across Time: 15-20 minutes
Le Truc Yet another old European game, this one originates in Spain—despite its French-sounding name. While this one might be a little more exciting if you have more people to play, it's a lot of fun with just two people. The lack of restrictions on playing tricks makes it really easy to pick up and play. Players: 2-6 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: Time: 20-30 minutes
Spite and malice If you've always wished you could play solitaire head-to-head with someone else, spite and malice could totally be the game for you. You can also play spite and malice with 4 people playing in 2 teams. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A table with enough space for you to sit across from each other and lay out the cards between you. Time: around 30 minutes Variations: Skip-Bo
Cribbage It might seem more complex than some of the other card games, but cribbage is ultimately a pretty simple game with straightforward rules that are easy to understand. Give it a chance and who knows? You might just discover your next favorite game. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A small table so you can sit across from each other with the cards and crib between you. Time: 15-30 minutes
Fast-Paced Card Games
Spoons This might just be the only game out there where you run the risk of getting physically injured playing a card game. Okay, maybe not injured—but some spoons players can be pretty cutthroat! If you're looking for something that's both fast-paced and likely to get you winded, this might be the game for you. Players: 4-6 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed (or leave them in as wild cards to make the game a little easier); you'll also need spoons (at least as many as 1 less than the number of people playing) Space requirements: An open table that everyone playing can equally reach the center of. Time: 5-10 minutes (each round typically takes 2-3 minutes)
Slapjack This might just be the simplest fast-paced card game there is—after all, the action is right there in the title. To play Slap Jack, you simply slap the center pile when someone plays a jack. The problem is that everyone else is trying to slap the pile when they see a jack too, so you have to be quick! Players: 2-5 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: An open table that everyone playing can equally reach the center of. Time: 5-10 minutes
Speed If you're looking for a fast-paced game that you can play on the fly pretty much anywhere, Speed is your best bet. Just split the cards between you and another person and take turns playing them. It's a great way to pass the time while you're hanging out with a friend. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck Space requirements: A stable flat space where you can set a pile of cards between you. Time: 5-10 minutes
Spit! If you're looking for a game that's quick to pick up but fun for all ages, give Spit a try! Because you have to be able to tell if a card is one higher or one lower in rank, it's also a good game to help younger kids learn card ranking. Players: 2 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: A small table with enough room to deal the cards between the two of you. Time: 5-15 minutes
Egyptian rat screw If Slapjack is too simple for you, try Egyptian rat screw. While it operates on the same basic principles as Slapjack, it has a few more rules (and can also be played with more people). It's still pretty easy to pick up and a lot of fun to play. Players: 2+ Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed Space requirements: A table that everyone playing can sit around and easily reach the middle of. Time: 10-30 minutes
Nertz The best thing about Nertz is that it's really easy to learn and start playing—there's basically no learning curve, which is important with a fast-paced game. This is also one of those rare fast-paced games that you can actually play with a larger group of people. Players: 2-12 Decks: 1 standard deck with the jokers removed for each player (if you have 4 players, you need 4 decks of cards) Space requirements: A large table or flat space big enough for everyone playing to lay out their cards in front of them. Time: 10+ minutes
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