The nice thing about cards is that there are so many different things you can do with them, even in a samll space like an airplane seat or car. You can play simple or complicated card games, ones that take a long time to play or only ten minutes, and games for just one person or a whole group.
Little kids aged three to five love to play cards, but to make it fun for them you have to make games easy for them to follow and understand.
First of all, their hands are too small to do a regular shuffle or fan their cards. Instead of holding cards in their hands, they can lean the cards against piles of books or a pillow.
So, start with aces, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s. Use only one set of picture cards—Jacks are the best. Then add more cards as kids are able to recognize them. Try to find a deck that has large numerals, too.
Next, don't play with the whole deck. That many cards is usually too confusing. Besides, little kids may not know all the numbers and letters and they may have trouble telling the picture cards apart.
Card Games
| Pig |
This very silly game is more fun when a whole bunch of kids play. Number of players: 4 to 13. |
| Slapjack | This is another easy, fast, fun card game. Number of players: 2 to 8. |
| Easy Go Fish |
This is a very easy version of Go Fish, one that is fun even for four-year-olds. Number of players: 2 to 5. |
| War | War is one of the easiest card games to learn and play. Number of players: 2 to 8. |
| Snip, Snap, Snorem |
Snip, Snap, Snorem is an old English game. The idea is to be the first to get rid of all your cards. Number of players: 3 to 10. |
| Chase the Ace | Once you understand how to play this game you'll know how it got its name. Number of players: 5 to 20. |
| Menagerie |
Be prepared for a lot of silliness and fun when you play this card game. Number of players: 3 to 6. |
| Old Maid | This is an old, old card game. The point of the game to match all the cards in your hand, to make pairs, and not to get stuck holding the "Old Maid". Number of players: 3 or more. |
| Stealing Bundles | This is an easy version of Casino game. Number of players: 2 to 4. |
| Crazy Ates | Play a fun card game and practice rhyming. You can play this game anywhere, anytime, especially when the whole family's in the mood for a card game. Number of players: 4 or more. |
| Poker Rules |
Learn about what beats what in poker. |
| One Card Poker and Two Card Poker | This is the very simplest poker game you can play. Number of players: 2 to 20. |
| Five Card Draw Poker |
This is one of the two basic kinds of poker. Number of players: 4 to 8. |
Pick games that have simple rules. Games that are fun for preschollers are Hat, Slapjack (with Jacks as the only picture cards), Concentration, Easy Go Fish and Snip, Snap, Snorem.