Weather it’s a rainy day, a day at the cottage or just another day of summer vacation these 10 Easy Card Games will keep the kids busy, entertained and their brains working (but don’t tell them the last part!)
Why card games? First, a deck of cards is something most households have. They are inexpensive and come in all kinds of designs.
Second, there are literally thousands of games that can be played with a single deck. The games can range from very easy to challenging.
Third, card games can be played just about anywhere—the living room floor, in the shade of a tree, in a secret fort. Best of all, card games get their brains working and their screens collecting dust.
And with so many games to pick from there is a game for everyone out there. This list has a collection of easy card games for kids that the younger ones will gobble up and ask to play again and again. They’re great for when you want a little down time to just relax and connect.
Easy Card Games for Kids: War
Although this is not a personal favorite in our house, it tends to be a favorite with younger kids. It has number recognition and can occupy kids for a long time. Forget how to play? No problem.
First, divide the deck into even piles for players. (Although war is usually best played as a two player game, any number of players can start. Just be warned that one of more players can be out very fast leaving them with nothing to do but watch.)
The cards are kept in facedown piles. On the count of three, all players turn over their top card. The player with the highest ranking card wins the played cards and adds them to the bottom of his draw pile. When there are two or more cards that are the top ranking card, the players who match place three cards face down and flip a fourth up. The highest card wins all the cards. The player who ends up with all the cards in the deck is the winner.
Fast Action Card Game: Slapjack
Slapjack is another easy kid favorite card game. This one is played similarly to War but at a much faster pace. To read the whole instructions see the Slapjack post here.
Easy Card Games for Kids: Snap
Snap is again similar to war and Slapjack. However, there are no possible smacking injuries. The cards are divided between all the players. Each players draw pile is left facedown. One at a turn, players take turns flipping over their top cards. When a player flips over a card that matches another players top card, the first player to call out “Snap” wins the stack and adds it to the bottom of their draw pile. When more than one player calls out Snap at the same time, the two piles go in the middle and becomes the “Snap Pot.” Now when a player flips over a card that matches the top one in the middle the first player to call out “Snap Pot” wins all the cards in the middle. The winner is the player who collects all the cards.
It’s All in the Name Card Game: Garbage
The card game Garbage is an easy to play game that has players trying to get all of their cards in order from one to ten. When you complete the mission you’re down a card and need to arrange your next cards from one to nine. Simple and fun with a fun name that kids like too. Get the Garbage rules here.
Easy Card Game: Golf
Another easy card game for kids is Golf. There are a number of ways to play this game but all have hidden cards, matching and the need to get the lowest score to win. To see all the ways to play and all of the different rules, see Golf Card Game.
Calling all Spies: James Bond
Similar to Golf, the card game James Bond has hidden cards. This is a great game for younger kids as you need to only match the numbers not the suits. It’s also fun to swap cards in and out of your piles. In true spy mode, slide over to James Bond to learn how to play this kid friendly card game.
Family Favorite: Spoons
Spoons is yet another easy card game that kids love. Secret cards, fast pace passing and quick spoon snatching makes this a game fast and crazy and so much fun. Best of all it works great for small and large groups of people. Learn how to play, and see all the variations there are of Spoons here.
Easy Card Games for Kids: Crazy 8s
The classic game of Crazy Eights has long been a favorite easy card game for kids. If you need a refresher on how to play, see all the rules and variations here. If you’re looking for a more advanced game, check out Crazy Eight Countdown.
Easy Trick Taking: Go Boom
This easy trick taking game is a great game to introduce that style of card games to kids. It’s easy with simple rules and fun enough to keep the kids engaged—especially when they see Mom picking up card after card while they only hold one card in their hands. Get the full Go Boom rules here.
Three Card Easy Card Game for kids: 31
This easy card game for kids does need them to be able to add. This was one of my favorite card games growing up; we would play for hours. If you can get your cards to add up to thirty one, then you can win! See the rule variations and see how to you can make it more fun by adding candy to the mix. The full 31 rules can be found here.
A Card in Hand
When the kids have kit the end of YouTube (or you’ve hit the end of your patience with screen time) pull out a deck of cards and try one of these favorite kids game. When the air is now filled with laughter and happy cries, you’ll be happy to have suck good memories from such a simple things as a deck of cards.
If I’ve missed your favorite easy kid card game, let me know in the comments, I’m always looking for more fun in a deck of cards!
Sometimes our cards get a little more love than they should and we need new ones. If that’s the case you can see what new in cards here. Canadians can see them here. Bicycle makes some great cards.
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