Here’s a collection of more than 20 fun family card games! These are games to play with a deck of cards that kids can learn and families can play together.

These card games are perfect for family gatherings, camping trips, holidays, and more.

One thing to keep in mind about card games is that many games are called by several different names. So you may get partway through the rules on any of these and realize that you know that game by another name. It’s just kind of how it goes with card games!

Let’s get on with the games!

This post was updated in November 2021.

family card games

Crazy Eights Countdown is a great game for beginners, but with this fun “countdown” twist, it’s interesting for parents and grandparents as well as young kids.

Our family really enjoys playing Blitz (also called Thirty-One). This game involves some strategy. It works well for kids, as long as they are able to add up the value of their cards.

How to Play California Speed from It’s Always Autumn. This is a two player game.

Here’s how to play Kings in the Corner – looks like an interesting game.

How to Play Spoons from Coffee Cups and Crayons. You have to try this one!

Go Fish is another great classic game for kids. There are lots of Go Fish card sets, but here’s How to Play Go Fish with a deck of cards.

And another classic – how to play War!

Help Your Neighbor is one of our favorite games because it’s equally fun for young kids and adults. Ages 4+ can handle this one! You’ll need poker chips as well as decks of cards and dice.

family card games

Play or Pay is a fun family card game! If you can’t play on your turn, you have to PAY!

How to Play Hearts – this is a good game to start with amongst the trick-taking games.

Spades is another classic trick-taking game.

Another good trick-taking game for beginners… this one is called Go Boom!

How to Play Three Thirteen – this game has several rounds, and the wild card changes every time so you have to pay attention! Fun for a wide range of ages. This is definitely one that our family plays regularly.

Here’s a game with an interesting name. (Which always makes it more fun, don’t you think?) Learn how to play Garbage.

How to Play Golf – I had not heard of this one, but it looks good!

The Bicycle Cards website has instructions for how to play rummy.

When I was growing up, we used to play Push Rummy, which is a fun variation on the basic rummy game.

Nerts is another fun and fast-paced card game! I love this one because there is no waiting for turns. Everyone plays all the time! In my opinion, the game works best with two teams of two (four players). Each team needs their own deck of cards.

How to Play James Bond – I’m really curious to try this one! Looks fun, and there is a video explanation which is helpful.

My husband grew up playing lots of Canasta and loved it. Here’s how to play Canasta from the Bicycle cards website.

Fit in a little math learning by playing a few rounds of Make Ten.

family card games

9 Comments

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  1. Kelly Dec 29, 2018

    I was just planning to introduce games to our family nights and I found this perfect article thanks dear for sharing these game ideas.

    Reply
  2. Linda Giardina Oct 28, 2019

    I’m a grandma trying to find alternatives to electronics for my 4 grandkids ages 5-9 thank you!

    Reply
  3. Barbara Meade Nov 24, 2019

    We play a LOT of Golf (also called Army but no one knows why). It's fun, doesn't take a lot of concentration, and is fun to socialize while playing.

    Reply
  4. sherri pritchett Apr 10, 2020

    My son -in-law is color blind so, playing any game is hard. I taught our family over Thanksgiving James Bond. He loved it and was very competitive. It is a great game for people of all ages.

    Reply
  5. George W. Belmore Sep 22, 2020

    at 88 years old and a disabled veteran my days are spent playing all kinds of card games with friends and family,thank you Hoyle card company.

    Reply
  6. Jackson fisher Nov 28, 2020

    I love Nertz definitely the best game for competitive or big families . If you are looking for a high speed fun game that’s the one !!!

    Reply
  7. Anonomous May 25, 2021

    How do I look at the card games...?

    Reply
  8. roxana Nov 27, 2021

    i taught my grandkids to play help your neighbor last new years eve
    over Thanksgiving they taught me to play trash. i grew up playing cards with my grandparents and parents and now my son and his children are playing cards great way to get to know them better

    Reply
  9. Leigh-Anne Bezuidenhout Mar 11, 2023

    This post is still being used :-) thank you!

    Reply

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