If you’ve been searching for a way to get your kids away from the screens and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun, why not introduce them to classic card games? Card games provide excellent family time while encouraging problem-solving, strategy building, and laughs.

Apart from Go Fish and Spades, many kid-friendly classics will become their favorite pastimes in no time! Fortunately, we have curated five timeless card games that should be part of every parent’s repertoire. Read on and prepare to join in the fun!

Card Games Made for Kids to Love and Enjoy

For generations, classic card games are believed to be made for adults to enjoy. However, many variations and updates in some of these card games made them applicable to the younger ones. If you don’t know what these games are, our list below will give you an idea:

Old Maid

Nobody likes to be an Old Maid, and this game is all about avoiding such a fate! It’s a simple matching and pairing card game that aims to avoid being stuck with the Old Maid card. A standard card deck is used with three Queens removed, the remaining card being the Old Maid. You can also add a Joker card instead of removing three Queen cards, and it will become the Old Maid card.

It was initially an ancient gambling game where the loser had to drink. However, it’s now known to be a hit among kids from five years old and above (minus the drinks). For the game proper, players must pair their cards and discard them into a pile. If you have three cards of the same rank, only two will be used.

The remaining cards will be offered face-down to the player on your left, and they must pick one from your hand and attempt to pair it with their remaining ones. After that, they will offer their hand to the next player. All cards will have a pair except for the Old Maid card. The player who has it by the end of the game is the Old Maid!

Cribbage

Great for older kids who know how to make specific combinations, Cribbage can be challenging and competitive at the same time. To earn a score, the goal is to meld cards by Fifteens, Flushes, Pairs, Three-of-a-Kind, and Runs. However, what makes this game complicated is its unique scoring system using a Cribbage board and pegs. If you don’t have these tools, many free Cribbage games are available online, so you don’t need the physical board to play.

Some specifics of Cribbage:

• Players take turns playing their cards and score points if they play a card that adds up to 15 or 31.
• Move pegs around the Cribbage board to track their score
• Make specific combinations
• Win the game by reaching 121 points

If you want to teach this game to your kids, try free Cribbage games on your PC or mobile phone first. It’s incredibly interactive and easy to learn, making your kids more receptive since Cribbage can hone their ability to develop strategies to win.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a staple in many households because of its easy-to-understand rules. All eight cards are wild cards in this game, hence the name. The goal is to be the first player to eliminate all your cards. To start, all players are dealt five cards face-down; the remaining cards will be the stock cards.

One card from the stock is turned face-up, which will become the starter card. If it’s an eight, another card is chosen. The first player will throw their cards while following the starter card’s denomination or suit. If not, the player will pick another card from the stock card until the play is continued.

Since eights are wild cards, you can play them any time, regardless of the present card’s suit or denomination. After that, you can choose the suit or denomination for the next player to follow. The first player to finish their hand wins!

War

A two-player card game for extremely competitive kids is War. The goal is to collect the full deck of cards to win. The game uses a standard deck of 52 cards, which will be equally divided between the two players.

Once both players have their cards, they will begin the game. Players will stack their cards in front of them, and they’ll turn a card face-up at the same time. Whoever has the highest number wins and adds the two cards at the bottom of their stack.

If it’s a draw, then it’s War! Each player draws a card from their stack face-down and another card face-up. Whoever wins will collect the cards that led to War, the two cards that went to battle, as well as the two face-down cards.

Snap

A fast-paced game for children is Snap. Here, concentration is highly essential to win. Nevertheless, it’s still an exhilarating game to play! Although the game rules seem complicated or intense, the main gameplay is straightforward. Undoubtedly, your kids will love it!

Snap basics:

• The goal is to collect all cards
• Players will stack their cards face-down on the table and turn them face-up on a second pile
• Once you see a card that matches another face-up card on the table, shout, “Snap!”
• Whoever calls first wins both piles (your opponent’s and yours)
• If both players shout Snap!, both piles are brought in the middle to form the Snap Pot
• Once players see a card that matches the one on top of the Snap Pot, they yell, “Snap Pot!” and collect all the cards.

The game continues until one player manages to collect all the cards. Since it’s an energetic card game, everyone will have fun! This game will also improve your kids’ attention, quick reflexes, and competitive spirit. With a standard deck of cards, Snap is an easy-to-play game that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere!

Teach Your Children These Kid-Friendly Card Games Today

After reading our list of card games suitable for kids, are you excited to try them all? These games are just some examples; many more delightful and amusing card gems are out there to explore! For those who don’t know where to start, let our list be your guide!