Card games are a great way to bond as a family. We love that they are engaging, easy to pack for travel, and affordable. They also teach important skills like sportsmanship, dexterity, memory, and problem-solving. Whether searching for games for young attention spans or fast-paced challenging games for older kids, there are fun options for everyone.
I’ve listed some of the best card games for different ages and stages. Many of these overlap age groups so think of the categories as a guideline. Card games are a great alternative to screen-free entertainment. Keep a deck in your bag at all times for guaranteed family fun!
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Toddlers
For little hands that struggle to hold multiple cards, consider a card holder to help.
Memory Match :: Kids can play this by themselves or with a sibling. After they match all the pairs, practice counting together to see who won. Your kiddo will want to play this one again and again.
Old Maid :: Buy a colorful set or use a standard deck with only one queen to play the “old maid.” Take turns drawing cards and pulling out matches. Whoever ends up with the old maid loses! This one is super simple to play and guaranteed to make your toddler laugh and squeal.
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Slapjack :: What’s not to love about slapping cards? Take turns flipping cards while searching for jacks. Slap it first to claim the pile of cards. The game ends when one player wins all the cards. This game rewards focus and speed.
Spot It :: Be the first to spot the matching item between two cards and call it out. Player with the most matches wins. Kids love this vibrant, fast-paced game, and parents love that it can be played in only five minutes!
Preschool
Short, sweet, and educational — these card games are perfectly suited for ages 2 – 5, who are learning numbers, colors, and how to take turns.
Eye Found It :: Full of fun Disney scenes, search for hidden objects in every card. Kids love seeing familiar characters, and parents love that it can be played in five minutes. First player to complete their five cards wins.
Uno :: Though listed for ages seven and up, younger kiddos can begin this family classic with a bit of extra help. My three year old loves matching the colors and numbers on the deck pile. Excitement builds as kids collect valuable wild and action cards, and don’t forget to shout Uno on your last card!
War :: You know this classic card game for two players. All you need is a standard deck of cards. Easy to learn, this game is also great practice for understanding number value. Highest card wins the hand.
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Elementary-Aged
These games for kids in grades kindergarten to fifth grade teach strategy and addition, while developing memory and timing skills.
Happy Salmon :: Perfect to get wiggles out, this party game will have everyone yelling out their action card looking for a match. Since it can be played in 90 seconds, it’s easy to play on school nights, though you may be tempted to play for hours.
Rat-a-tat Cat :: A strategic math game that kids love, it requires some memory, probability, and timing. Rats are high cards, cats are low cards, and the lowest score wins. This game has won multiple awards for good reason.
Set :: This brain game can be played alone or in a group. Look for sets of three based on color, number, shading, and shapes. This is a great way to practice looking for patterns and provides mental exercise for brains of all ages.
Sushi Go :: This has been a favorite of my daughter’s since she was six. It requires strategy and math, but kids will love collecting different sushi over three rounds for the highest score.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza :: Simple, fun, and action-packed, this game rewards attention to detail as you try to be the first to slap cards that match the correct word to the picture. The last one to slap takes the pile. First one out of cards wins!
Tweens
Connect with your growing tween with these games that make for hours of laughter and fun.
Five Crowns :: Though games last around 45 minutes, this rummy-style game is fun for tweens and adults alike. Play through 11 rounds, trying to get rid of all your cards in books and runs. It can be played as a single player or up to seven players.
Monopoly Deal :: Enjoy the nostalgia of Monopoly in card form with no worrying that the game will last forever. Enjoy collecting your favorite properties in this fun, fast-paced game. The first player to collect three property sets wins.
Skip Bo :: A game of sequence, players must collect cards in order of numbers 1 – 12. There are a few different ways to play, but we like playing until one player runs out of cards, making them the winner.
That’s Not a Hat :: A little bit of memory and a little bit of bluffing, this game packs a lot of laughter in only 15 minutes!
Teens
Flex your creativity and satisfy that need for speed with these cooperative, fast-paced, and pretty hysterical card games for ages 10 and older.
B.S. :: You might recall this game from the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, when Kate Hudson’s character bonds with Matthew McConaughey’s character’s family while playing. Despite the name (which we’ve always abbreviated), this family-friendly game is full of laughter as you try to bluff your way to a win. How well can you read each other?
Nertz :: Nertz includes/requires eight decks of cards — that’s right, eight! It’s basically a competitive, multiplayer game of solitaire. Teens will love the versatility of the cards and rapid pace, and you’ll love making memories that will be talked about year after year.
Speed :: Perfect for competitive spirits and only two players, this version of speed is a little more advanced. Played with a regular deck of 52 cards, the goal is to get rid of all your cards first by playing them numerically up or down on the deck pile.
That Escalated Quickly :: A fun, cooperative game especially great for large groups. Each round everyone is assigned a secret number and one player reads a question. Everyone answers according to their number. Put absurd answers in the right order. Teens will love the hilarious responses.
Time to plan your next family game night! Which card games are your family’s favorites?
