Card games for kids are the perfect boredom buster and kids games as there are endless variations to play with a deck of cards which is why they’ll never go out of style! Children also love playing with cards and if you’re looking for new ways to entertain them we have some brilliant kids games to inspire you.
Regardless if it’s a rainy day and you need some indoor activities or you’re on a road trip and the children are getting restless, playing cards is always a good option. Here’s a list of card games for kids which are fun games for children you can DIY but also a few games that can be played with a traditional pack of playing cards. Let the family card games begin!
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Simple Kids Games
Most of the kids games featured are free and printable but a few contain affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for disclosure policy. Those links help support the site as I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
P.S. You can see all the Fun Family Games for Kids here. {click link}
Fun Games to Play
My family absolutely loves to laugh. Since I’m the designated taskmaster {super yuck} I like to find fun games and simple card games to play that my family will enjoy. I hit the jackpot during My family game night of Watch Ya Mouth. We could. not. stop. laughing!
What a great memory we now have. Which sparked this post as I truly feel shared experiences create a stronger bond. So I hope these family card games and kids games will help entertain your family and give you a good laugh.
Card Games to Play Alone
The great news is that you don’t have to go out and buy the latest board game to entertain yourselves for family game night. Playing cards have TONS of simple card games that families with different age groups can enjoy together.
If you’re wondering what are some easy card game for kids I can play and with how many players, I’ve got the details below. First up, here’s a list of card games you can play alone with one player.
Ready?!? Let’s countdown my favorite simple card games….
19. Memory Card Game
This printable memory cards game looks fantastic, right? Your kids will love playing with these gorgeous cards and I’m sure the adults would also be willing to give it a try.
Players: 1+
Cards Needed: Pair Up Memory Cards Game {free printable}
Objective: The player wit the most sets of cards wins.
How to Play: Memory can be played with a traditional set of playing cards or the printable one I’ve suggested. To play the cards are laid out face down in a grid and every card should have a pair, or set of two. You can play yourself or with others and the objective is to match all the cards in sets of two. To start, turn over two cards {or face up cards} at a time in hopes of finding a match. If both of the cards are the same and a match is made then the player keeps both cards. However, if they are not an exact match the player tries to memorize the exposed cards and their positions before turning them back over. The person to the left then takes the next turn and the players continue clockwise until all the cards have been matched. The player with the most sets of cards wins.
18. Solitaire
Players: 1
Cards needed: 52 standard playing card pack
Objective: Build the entire pack onto the foundations {or sequences}
How to Play: Discard any jokers and shufle the pack of playing cards. Deal 7 cards in a row from left to right with the first card facing up and the rest facing down. Then skip the face up 1st card and deal 6 more on top, the first facing up. Repeat with 5 cards, 4 cards, and so forth, dealing the first card face up until every pile has one. Place the rest of your deck face down, leaving room for Foundation and Discard piles. For more details on how to play solitaire watch the video on how to play Solitaire card game or get the full instructions from Bicycle cards.
Educational Card Games for Kids
These are still one player games and fun games to play. However, this list of card games are more geared towards educational card games for kids. So if you want to know what are some fun card games that will also teach math, sight words, sensory and shapes then this section is perfect for you.
17. Make 10 Math Card Game
Players: 1
Cards needed:
- 52 standard playing card pack
- Get free printable here: Make 10 Match Card Game
Why to Play: This is a simple and brilliant game that will surely improve your little ones’ math skills. You’ll need to make groups of cards that add up to “10” until the stack runs out. Safe to say, the printable play mat is a must-have. Other than that, you will only need a regular deck of cards. It comes with the most adorable printable play mat. {squeal in delight}
16. Adorable DIY Felt Flash Cards
Players: 1+
Why to Play: Flash cards are awesome but if your younger children keep destroying them making your own out of felt is a good idea. They’re not 100% indestructible but certainly better than card stock.
How to Play: Learn how to make these Adorable DIY Felt Flash Cards and tips on using them.
15. Touch & Feel Color Cards
Players: 1+
Why to Play: Toddlers and even older kids love sensory play as it’s an excellent way for them to discover the world and learn new things. These touch & feel color cards make it an easy game for small children to remember the colors and have some fun while they’re at it.
Get tutorial here: Touch & Feel Color Cards
14. Tangrams and Challenge Cards
Players: 1+
Cards Needed: Printable tangrams and challenge cards {free printable}
Why to Play: This might not be your typical card game but it is a very educational one. The tangram challenge cards will allow your children to learn how to recreate simple pictures using the shapes from a basic tangram set. How cool is that?
13. Letter Recognition Cards
Players: 1+
Cards Needed: Printable Cards For Letter Recognition {free printable}
Why to Play: Are you trying to help your younger children practice their letter recognition skills? These ocean-themed cards are perfect for the job and they’ll provide hours of fun!
Know anyone who needs these? {giggle}
Two Player Games
If you’re looking for a list of card games that are 2 player games we have these up next. They include a fun games for each age group including kids games and family card games.
12. Magic
Magic is a trading card game that combines strategy and fantasy. My boys absolutely love this game and we have all kinds of expansion packs and collector cards.
Players: 1+
Cards needed: Magic the Gathering playing cards
How to Play: You play a powerful wizard who summons creatures, spells, and weapons to aid you in your destruction of other planeswalkers. Magic can be enjoyed alone as a trading card collection, or with friends as a sophisticated strategy game. For more details on how to play solitaire watch the video on how to play Magic card game or get the full instructions on how to play Magic.
11. Slap Jack
An energetic game that involves quick reflexes and yep “slapping” to grab or pick up the cards. Slap Jack playing card game is best played for older kids who can recognize the difference between the royals {ie. Jack, Queen, and King} quickly. This game doesn’t require much strategy and it’s a fun game which will increase the energy level of any room.
Players: 2 to 6
Cards needed: 52 standard playing card pack
Objective: Win cards by being the first player to slap the stack. Player with the most cards wins.
How to Play:
Deal out the entire deck, face-down and one at a time, until each player had a stack of cards. The person sitting to the left of the dealer then turns over one card and places it face-up in the middle of the table. Moving to the left, each player follows suit and does the same. When a Jack is played, however, players race to be the first person to physically slap the pile of cards in the middle of the table. The first to do so wins the pot and adds them to the bottom of their card stack. When a player runs out of cards, they have one more chance to slap a Jack to get back in the game, but if they fail to do so, they’re out. Play continues until one person collects or picks up all the cards.
10. Blink
Blink is the lightning fast game where two players race to be the first to play all of their cards. Using sharp eyes and fast hands, players quickly try to match the shape, count, or color on the cards. The first player out of cards wins. Fast and portable, Blink is instant fun for everyone!
Players: 2
Suggested Ages to Play: 7 to Adult
Objective: The first player out of cards wins.
Cards Needed: Get the playing cards here: Blink Family Card Game
How to Play: Watch the video on how to play Blink family card game.
Playing Cards
A floating game table..with waterproof playing cards?!? 
😍 Um, NEED!
9. Spiral Math Card Game
Players: 2+
Why to Play: Going from letters to numbers, the spiral math card game requires multiplication skills for it to be won! This card game for kids can be played using a classic deck of cards, but you will also need some game pieces and dice.
How to Play: Get instructions here Spiral Math Card Game
8. How to Play Garbage
Tonya shows us ow to play garbage with our younger children and what a simple card game for kids this can be for two or more players.
Players: 2+
Cards Needed:
- 2 players = 1 deck of playing cards
- 3+ players = 2 decks of playing cards
Objective: Line up your cards from Ace through 10 before you opponents.
How to Play: Leave all cards in deck: A-10 are in play. Kings and Jokers are Wild Cards. Shuffle the decks and deal each player 10 cards face down. The remaining card deck is placed in the middle of the table.
The first player draws a card from the middle deck of cards. If it’s an Ace through a 10 them place that card in its correct location. For all remaining turns, each player chooses from the deck or the discard pile. Wild Cards like the King and Joker, may be played anywhere in your hand at any time. You keep flipping cards until you get a number you cannot use, then discard and your turn is over. If you draw a card that can replace one of your Wild Cards, do it and use the Wild Card again in another spot. When a player has assembled all cards Ace through 10 in front of them, they win the round.
See the pictured tutorial from Tonya: How to Play Garbage
3 Player Card Games
We are now moving on to three player card games and kids games. Yep, I’m continuing the list of card games with card games for kids which also include family card games to play together.
7. How to Play War
The war card game is a classic game you can play with a traditional card deck. I can keep two kids busy for quite a while as it’s war.
How many players can play in war? 2
Objective: The objective of the game is simple, to destroy your opponent by winning all the cards.
How to Play: Simply deal the entire deck face down between the two players so that each has a stack of 26 cards. Without looking at the cards, players simultaneously turn one over on the table ⏤ the higher number wins both cards. If both cards are the same, there’s a ‘war.’ Players then deal three cards face down followed by one card face up. Now, the higher numbers takes all 10 cards. Play continues until one player is out of cards and either angry or crying.
6. How to Play Spoons
Spoons is a fun game, great to play with kids during grandma camp or family reunions. At least three players are needed to play.
Players: 3 or more
Cards Needed:
- 52 standard playing card pack
- One spoon for each player, minus one.
Objective: Be the last player left standing.
How to Play: All players sit at a table or in a circle on the floor. All the spoons are placed in the middle, with one less spoon than players. Each player, which includes the dealer, gets four cards. The dealer takes one card from the deck and if it improves his hand, he adds it, discarding another card which he slides to the player on his left. If the card does not improve his hand then he passes the card on. The player on his left repeats those steps until all players are passing cards.
The first player to collect four of a kind gently takes a spoon, hoping not to be noticed. When the others see the spoon taken, they grab for a spoon. One player will be left without a spoon and is eliminated from play. Play continues until one player is left.
Get the play card rules: How to Play Spoons
Group Card Games
These simple card games are ideal to be played as group card games. Do you remember when couples used to get together to play cards, board games, and Jeopardy? This list of card games also includes some fun games for family game night.
5. Hearts To Hearts Printable Card Game
Players:
Cards Needed: Hearts To Hearts Card Game for Kids {free printable}
How to Play: If you’re looking for fun card games, you’ll have a blast with this one. You get a stack of “Answers” cards and one of “Questions”. Each player draws several cards from the “Answers’ deck and, taking turns you will need to draw a card from the “Questions” stack. Then, each player will have to use one of their “Answers” cards hoping they will be the most correct. Safe to say, prepare from some unexpected and hilarious combinations!
4. GO Fish Kids Games
This is one easy game for kids worth printing as you can play it four different ways. These games are perfect as they will allow your kids to have fun and improve their memory, counting, and other skills at the same time.
Players: 2 to 5
Cards Needed:
- 52 standard playing card pack or printable below, organized in pairs of two.
- Get free printable here: GO Fish Card Game
Objective: The player wit the most sets of cards wins.
How to Play: The number of cards you start out with is determined by the amount of players.
- 2 to 3 players = 7 cards each
- 4 to 5 players = 5 cards each
Deal cards face down, one at a time, and in a clockwise rotation. The remaining cards are the “pond” and are scattered face down in the middle of the table. After each player organizes their cards in their hand by number and royals {ie. Kings, Queens, Jacks}. The player to the left of the person who dealt the cards begins by asking if anyone they want if they have a specific card. Typically it’s a card they already have in their hand.
For example the card game could play out like this… John might ask: Emma, “do you have any Aces.” If Emma says “yes”, she gives all of the Aces she has over to John. If she doesn’t, she says “Go Fish!” and John then selects the top card from the pond. After collecting a card from the pond, however, his turn ends. Once John collects enough Aces through his inquiries to form a book of 4 cards, he can then lay them face up on the table. Play continues clockwise until all the books have been collected and the player with the most sets wins.
Get the deck of playing cards here: Pack of Dogs Playing Cards
3. Hearts Card Game
I used to play the hearts card game when I was a newlywed with friends as our weekly game night. The hearts card game has quite a few rules but after a hand or two it’s easy to catch on to. If you enjoy playing the Spades card game then this is another level up and you’re ready for it.
Players: 2 to 5
Cards Needed: 52 standard playing card pack
Objective: The player wit the lowest score at the end of the game wins.
How to Play: The number of cards you start out with is determined by the amount of players.
- 3 players = 17 cards each, remove 2 of diamonds
- 4 players = 13 cards each
- 5 players = 10 cards each, remove 2 of diamonds and 2 of clubs
After arranging your cards in sequence and looking at their hand, each player chooses 3 cards and passes them to another player face down. All players should pass their cards before they can look at the cards which were given to them.
The passing rotation is: 1. to the player on your left, 2 to the player on your right, 3 to the player across the table, 4. no passing. This rotation repeats until the game ends. {optional}
After the passing, the player holding the 2 of clubs plays that card to start the first trick {or round}. Every player must follow suit, if possible. If a player has no cards in the suit, a card of any other suit may be discarded. However, there is one exception, if a player does not have any clubs when the first trick is led, a heart or the Queen of Spades cannot be played. The highest card of the suit led wins a trick. The winner of the trick gets all the cards and starts the next trick. Hearts may not be led until a heart or the Queen of Spades has been played which is called “breaking” hearts.{giggle} Note, the Queen of Spades can be led at any time and there are no trumps in Hearts.
Scoring: At the end of each hand, players count the number of hearts they have taken as well as the queen of spades, if received.
- Each heart card = 1 point
- Queen = 13 points
If a player has won all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades, that player can choose to subtract 26 points from his score, or to add 26 points to every other player’s score. Hearts is typically played to 100 points and when a player reaches this score, the game ends. The player with the lowest score wins.
Family Card Games
What are some fun card games? Well, this last section is all about family card games which are simple card games that you can play for family home evening or what I like to call “forced family fun”. {bwaahaa!} Yep, as I have teenagers and a young adult they aren’t as willing to play fun games with me like they were when they played kids games. I hope you’ll enjoy this list of card games and will let me know what worked for your family!
2. James Bond Family Card Game
Players: 2+
Cards Needed: 52 standard playing card pack
Why to Play: Nothing beats some old-fashioned family fun! The James Bond card game is played using a generic deck of cards that’s all about quick thinking and reaction times. Sounds interesting, right?
Get instructions here James Bond Family Card Game
1. Conversation Questions Card Game
Players: 2+
Cards Needed: Conversation Questions Card Game {free printable}
This printable card game is an awesome activity that will allow families and friends to get to know each other better in an entertaining way. There’s a question on each of these printable cards and once you draw one you will need to answer it and use it to start a conversation. Safe to say, your group won’t get bored for a good while!
Thanks Ladies! I just adore these games. Feel free to share your I was featured on Tip Junkie badge. You earned it! {knuckle bumps} I’m honored to have the opportunity to feature your creative activities for kids.
What fun games did I miss?
I’d love to know what games I missed and which ones you’ll play for family home evening or family game night. Leave a comment below. I also take requests, so if you’re looking for something specific let me know in the comments..
I have more ideas for kids games here…
49 Printable Bingo Card Templates
Plus, check out these free printables…
See other posts in our kids games …
- 12 Printable Word Search Worksheets
- Free Printable Counting Cards {+25 Games}
- Free Printable Alphabet Cards {+25 Games}
Fun games! I love the GIANT cards. lol