When the weather does not invite you to go out, it is the best time for games of all kinds. Besides board games, card games, which are available in many different variations, are popular with children. Beside the classics like Mau-Mau or Uno there are many other exciting and funny games with cards.
As with all games, it is important that card games for children are adapted to their age and do not overburden the child. Some card games come in different variations, for example with numbers or symbols. For smaller children who still have problems holding many cards, there are card holders on the market.
Card Games for the Youngest
Children from the age of three can usually not do much with the classic card games, but there are games that offer a variation between card, dice and laying game. Card games like “Mimik Memo” or “Obstgarten” by Haba work with task cards, which have to be uncovered, on a game board figures are moved on at the same time.
From the age of four, children can play the first “real” card games; if necessary, the rules can be simplified. Popular games are:
Black PeterThis classic is one of the oldest card games especially for children. It is played with 15 pairs of cards and the Black Peter. By drawing cards, the other players must try to collect as many pairs as possible. Whoever is left with the Black Peter at the end has lost and receives a “penalty”, for example a black dot on his face.
QuartetThis card game can be played with different rules. Here always four cards belonging together must be collected. After the cards have been dealt, the player is asked for cards in turn. The player with the most quartets wins.
Uno JuniorThe rules are largely the same as the classic Mau-Mau. The players try to place their cards on the pile in the middle, different cards have different meanings. Uno Junior combines numbers and symbols so that even small children can master the simple game.
Card games for children six and older
By primary school age at the latest, children will be able to play the somewhat more complicated card games confidently. Uno is now played in the variant with more cards and sharper rules. At this age, children can also learn classic card games such as rummy or double head. Perhaps less well-known, but at least as exciting are the following games:
LigrettoIn this card game the other players try to place their cards according to certain rules on common piles in the middle. The cards are not played one after the other, but simultaneously. For this reason, reaction speed and the ability to concentrate are required.
Eleven outThe playing cards, which consist of number cards, must be placed in rows in the middle. The first row of a card is always the eleven. Eleven out is partly a game of chance, but it also requires strategic thinking to gain an advantage and block others.
6 takesIn 1994, “6 takes” was game of the year. Also here cards are placed according to certain rules in a row. Who must put the sixth card on a row must take the row. In the end, whoever has the least cards or the least minus points wins.
QuartetThe quartet games are still up to date, but with different rules. For example, the car quartet compares the characteristics of the vehicles. For example, whoever has the highest horsepower number gets the other player’s card. This type of quartet is available for various technical topics, but also for other areas of knowledge.
Children eight years and older
Older children can play almost all card games that are also suitable for adults. Especially for the classic French and German card decks there are innumerable game variations, which depending on the complexity of the rules only last a few minutes or can be full evening. Most famous are Bridge, Canasta, Doppelkopf, Poker, Rommé, Schafkopf, Skat, Jass or Seventeen and Four. Lesser known, but still very amusing card games are among others:
Bohemian tailorFor this game you need a German hand and two players. The aim of the game is to place as many pictures as possible in the tricks, i.e. ace, king, waiter, under and ten.
Cheat. You can cheat here. The game is played with a French hand, the cards are placed face down on the table and the dealer announces the value. If the next player thinks that the announced value is wrong, he knocks and the last card of the pile must be turned over. Depending on whether the dealer cheated or not, the cards go to him or the other player.
Twenty from two to four players try to bring their point account to zero. Whoever plays the highest card in a round wins. At the end, all tricks are counted and the points are deducted from the points account.
Especially the many variations for the classic map sheets can be learned quickly, are a lot of fun and ensure hours of fun. So that the afternoon of the game runs without conflicts, you should simply play once without scores. This is just as much fun and relieves the pressure on all players, especially your child, to perform.