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The best card games for kids: Our top picks

Keep kids entertained with cool card games

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deck of cards scattered on a table
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In today’s digital age, it may seem like card games are a thing of the past. The truth is card games have never really gone out of style and remain family-friendly fun that everyone can enjoy. So, if you’re looking to spice up a family game night or need something to do on a rainy day during a vacation trip, card games for kids are always a do. They’re entertaining, relatively simple, and can be a great educational tool.

Playing card games with kids is also an easy way to encourage the kids to put down those screens. Solitaire isn’t the only game you can play with cards, either. There is a wide range of cool card games for kids of all ages.

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It’s OK if the only card game you remember from your childhood is 52-card pickup. That’s where someone tosses a deck of cards on the floor and then you’ve got to pick them up. Kids love 52-card pickup, and it always gets a laugh and a groan when they have to clean up the cards. Of course, those aren’t the only card games to shuffle for, and we’ve got the top card games that get everyone dealing.

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Card games for kids

person playing card games at a table
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The first playing cards were hand painted and only for the wealthy. Eventually, though, playing cards became affordable for the masses. Even with all the digital advances, card games are still a wonderful way to have fun with your kids. So, pull out that deck from the back of the junk drawer and get ready to deal.

War

This game is probably the simplest card game next to 52-card pickup. To play, remove all the face cards, including the jokers. Then, divide the cards evenly among the players. Keep the cards face down. For four players, use two decks.

To play, have everyone turn over one card. The person with the card with the highest face value wins all the cards. An ace is the highest card. If two players have the same face value, they break the tie is broken with a duel. In a duel, each player lays down three cards and turns the fourth face up. The player with the higher face-up card takes all the cards. If a player runs out of cards, they’re out. The winner is the last person left with cards or the player who has the most cards. War is a perfect card game to play with kids learning numbers and their values.

Crazy Eights

If you’re looking for another easy card game to play with the kids, try Crazy Eights. The overall goal is similar to War, since the purpose is to get rid of the cards in their hand. There are different variations to Crazy Eights. Cardgames.io offers up step-by-step directions.

Go Fish

For a classic, try Go Fish. You don’t need a special deck for Go Fish, either. You can play Go Fish with a traditional deck of cards. If you need a refresher, Our Pastime spells out the rules.

California Speed

Sometimes you need a quick game for only two players and California Speed fits the bill. It’s Always Autumn has a complete set of directions to learn how to play this cool card game.

Spoons

If you need a game to play with younger kids, Spoons is a fun one that uses playing cards, and you guessed it, spoons. Coffee Cups and Crayons has the rules for this card game that’s ideal for kiddos ages 4 and up.

More card games

mom and daughter playing card games
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War, Crazy Eights, Go Fish, California Speed, and Spoons work for kids of all ages. The rules are basic and not too complicated. Even teens can get into a game of War with their siblings. If the kids enjoy the card games, here are a few more to add to the menu.

With all the screen time kids and adults get, it’s good to disconnect and return to the simple things. It doesn’t get more basic than a deck of playing cards. Playing cards have been around for ages. Historians think they originated in China around 1,000 A.D. and first appeared in Europe in the 1370s. Card games really have been keeping people of all ages entertained for centuries. So, if you’re looking for a way to switch up family game night or trying to get everyone to put the devices down, start shuffling and dealing with these fun card games for kids.

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Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
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