Beggar My Neighbour
Beggar My Neighbour is one of the all-time favourite children's card games. It is an exciting game of luck, best played to a time limit (because otherwise, believe me, it can get tedious!) The rules are below:
Card Games
Sometimes in these days of computers, video consoles, electronic robots and other expensive toys we forget that a simple pack of cards (or two) can provide hours of fun.
Cards are inexpensive, easily portable and endlessly adaptable. Families can enjoy a game together, kids can play in groups on their own, and a solitary child can while away the hours playing solitaire games or building card houses. Please browse our suggestions of card games for kids below...
Chase the Ace
Chase the Ace is a great card game for a large group of children and works well with mixed ages and at family gatherings too. Don't get caught with the lowest card - and hold onto your counters if you can!
Comet
This game is a very old French card game which was originally known as Manille but changed to Comet when Halley's Comet appeared in 1682. It is a "stops" game - as you shall see!
Go Boom
This is a simple "trick" game, and it's fun - and a great way to teach children about trick-taking games. All the kids we have played it with have loved it.
Go Fish
Go Fish is a card game of chance and skill for two or more players and one that is deservedly popular with families. Younger children will just enjoy the excitement of it; older kids will begin to learn to try to memorize what cards the other players have.
Memory
Also known as Concentration, this card game is an old stand-by which can be adapted for all ages and abilities of children and is great for improving concentration and memory skills.
Menagerie
Be prepared for a lot of noise with this card game, which is also known as "Animals" or "zoo". It's great fun - although if you have one or two louder, rowdy players it can disintegrate quickly.
My Ship Sails
This is an easy card game for kids of all ages (from about 6 up). It is best and most exciting when played at high speed. It's a fun one to play when you have a group of children around.
Old Maid
This is a popular and easy card game for three or more children. It makes a good starter card game for kids and is a fun one for rainy afternoons when friends are visiting as it is quick to teach. It is also known by the name "Pass The Lady".
Pig
This is a brilliant starter game for children, who enjoy the rhythm (once they get the hang of it) and the silliness of it all. It is one game that even the youngest child doesn't seem to mind losing, which makes it a real winner! And a little secret - even teenagers and adults enjoy it!
Rolling Stone
This card game for kids can be a lot of fun but also very frustrating: just when you are about to win, you can find yourself right back at square one! I've always thought it is useful for helping children learn to lose with grace!
Score Charts
We have 8 different printable score charts below which can be used with Activity Village's card games or dice games. Choose from the pdf files below.
Sequence
This game is easy to learn, making a good starter card game for younger kids, but nevertheless requires concentration and patience. It is also useful for helping children get familiar with a deck of cards.
Sevens
Also known as Card Dominoes, Parliament or Fan Tan, this is an exiting card game which is simple for children to learn quickly. It's one of our family favourites.
Slapjack
This is an easy card game - suitable for very young children - but it can get wild and start off a few sibling arguments! You might want to supervise young children!
Snap
The game of "Snap" is popular with children, noisy and liable to go on forever! A fast game for the whole family, it requires quick reflexes and sharp observation. Then again, you can just play it for fun!
Snip Snap Snorem
This is a popular - and noisy - card matching game, suitable for younger children and mixed age groups. Play with 3 or more players and a standard deck of cards.
Stealing Bundles
Also known as Stealing The Old Man's Bundle, this unpredictable card game is very popular with kids, who love being able to steal each other's cards! It is an early version of Casino and can be played with 2-4 players.
War
The game "War" makes an easy introduction to card playing for kids without too many rules to complicate the game. You need one standard deck of cards and 2 (or 3) players.
