20 Card Games to Play with a Regular Deck of Cards

Teach your kids some of these fun card games. They can all be played with a regular deck of 52 playing cards.

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Card games are a fun activity for one or 2 kids – or your whole family. For all of these games, you just need a deck of playing cards. (Some do call for 2 decks.)

They’re tons of fun and many can be played quickly. Keep a pack of cards in your bag and you’ll have entertainment ready wherever you go.

We included a variety of games in this collection. Most are good for young kids but some are a bit more challenging. You’ll probably recognize some classics here, but we hope you find some new favorites to discover too.

Tips for teaching kids to play cards

• Start by going over the rules, and be patient when everyone needs a few reminders.
• Play a few practice rounds where an adult helps each kid on their turn.
• If you have enough adults, play on teams so that each child has an adult to help them.
• Holding several cards and keeping them secret is hard when you have kid-sized hands. Use a cardholder to make it easier. You can even make your own DIY playing card holder!

Favorite cards and accessories

• Classic Bicycle playing cards with large images
• Washable waterproof playing cards, perfect for the beach
• Cute cartoon animal playing cards
• Fan-style card holder for kids
• Tabletop standing card holder

Kid-friendly card games

Card games for one player

Solitaire

Solitaire is an iconic one-player card game. You can play online, but there’s something nice about playing with a real deck of cards that makes it even more fun.

Learn how to play Solitaire at Playing Card Decks.

Clock Patience

Clock patience is kind of a variation on solitaire that’s perfect for kids learning to tell time. Each of the cards goes around a circle, just like the hours on a clock.

Learn how to play Clock Patience at Game Rules.

Accordion

Accordion is a fun card-sorting game. Players create stacks of cards by matching either the suit or the rank.

Learn how to play Accordion on Bicycle.

Card games for 2 players

Speed

As the name suggests, the purpose of Speed is to be fast! For this 2-person game, players each have a stack of cards and the goal is to get rid of them as fast as you can.

Learn how to play Speed with Gather Together Games.

War

War is just the opposite of speed. The goal is to collect all the cards. Players flip over the cards – higher wins. If there’s a match, players use a series of cards to battle.

Learn how to play War at Game Rules.

GOPS

GOPS stands for Game of Pure Strategy. Both players have a suit of cards and battle to see who has the higher card. You choose which card to play, but remember that your opponent has the same 13 cards!

Learn how to play GOPS from Board Game Geek.

Golf

Just like the outdoor game, in Golf players take 9 rounds to get the lowest score possible. This can be played with 2 to 4 players.

Learn how to play Golf at Ace Info.

James Bond

James Bond is an easy game to learn for 2 to 4 players, but it goes quickly. Each player has a handful of cards and grabs from the center without taking turns.

Learn how to play James Bond from Gather Together Games.

Beggar My Neighbor

Beggar My Neighbor is similar to Slap Jack. A group of 2 to 4 players goes around a circle flipping over cards and face cards change the number of cards you play.

Learn how to play Beggar My Neighbor from The Spruce Crafts.

Card games for 3 or more players

King’s Corners

In King’s Corner, each player tries to get rid of cards in an alternating red and black pattern. Whoever gets rid of all their cards first wins.

Learn how to play King’s Corners from Dice Game Depot.

Go Fish

Play Go Fish with a group of kids in any age range. Players ask for cards to make matching sets and whoever gets the most wins.

Learn how to play Go Fish from Bicycle.

Trash

We’ve heard this game called Trash or Garbage. The goal is to line up your cards in number order, so it’s perfect for practicing number recognition.

Learn how to play Trash with What We Do All Day.

BS

If you’re not sure you want your kids yelling BS, you can call this game Baloney instead. This card game is all about bluffing – and calling your friends out when you catch them.

Learn how to play BS from Instructables.

Egyptian Ratscrew

Egyptian Ratscrew is another one that you might want to rename. (We called it Rat Slap.) This one has a lot of variations and after you’ve played for a while, you might want to come up with your own.

Learn how to play Egyptian Ratscrew from Group Games 101.

Spoons

Grab a handful of spoons along with a deck of cards to play Spoons. Players must grab one when they see that someone has made a set. Younger kids will enjoy the Pig version, where instead of grabbing a spoon they simply touch their noses.

Learn how to play Spoons from Playing Card Decks.

Rummy

Rummy uses 2 decks of cards, including the Jokers. Each card has a value, played in groups to earn points.

Learn how to play Rummy at Love Peace and Tiny Feet.

Old Maid

The goal of Old Maid is to get rid of all your cards first – and avoid the Joker. Players do this by collecting cards from other players to make pairs.

Learn how to play Old Maid from Hella Entertainment.

Hearts

Hearts is a fun game for 3 to 7 players. Each person passes cards to another player and everyone is trying to avoid getting the hearts.

Learn how to play Hearts from Family Education.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights can be played with a few variations. Players take turns discarding cards based on suit or rank – and 8s are wild cards.

Learn how to play Crazy Eights from Mom of 6.

Snap

Snap is a game that can be played with 2 to 6 players. Players flip over cards and make stacks, but keep an eye on everyone to call snap if they see a pair.

Learn how to play Snap from Kidspot.

This long list of card games is sure to include some your family will enjoy. Play a few on family game night and teach kids some they can play on their own. And be sure to save this post for the next time you need a new game to play!

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

• Best Family Board Games for a Wide Age Range
• 21 Backyard Games You Can Make and Play
• Teach Kids How to Play Checkers