A list of card games for very young children and directions for each.
Whether you find yourself housebound, in the car, or camping, card games are one of the best, easiest and cheapest forms of entertainment. And young kids love to play! Here is a list of games and directions to play, geared for ages 3 & up.
MEMORY:
This is one of the oldest and easiest of card games, and perfect for the youngest children or beginners. And most adults are amazed how well the very young do on this game.
Number of players: 2-4
Number of cards: varies (usually start with a small number, about 10 and build up to as many as 40)
Object of the game: to win by collecting the most pairs of cards.
To Play:
*The dealer shuffles the cards and spreads them out face down on a table. (Its easier if the cards are placed in columns or rows)
*The player on the left starts by turning two cards of his choice face-up. If they match (same picture, face or number) he wins that pair! He takes those cards.
*The same player turns over tow more cards at a time, until he does not get a match. The unmatched cards are turned face down again and the next player to the left takes his turn.
*When all the cards have been matched in pairs the game is over.
*The player with the most card pairs is the winner.
FISH:
Number of players: 2-4
Number of cards: 40
Object of the game: To win by collecting the greatest number of cards.
To Play:
*The dealer shuffles the cards and gives five to each player.
*The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile. This is the "Ocean".
*Each player looks at his hand to see if any of the cards are the same, either in suit, face or number. He places each pair of cards in a pile nearby.
*The dealer takes his turn first. Choosing a card from his hand he asks one player (his choice) if they have one to match it.
*If the player who was asked does not have the card requested, he tells the dealer "GO FISH!".
*The dealer picks one card from the OCEAN (pile of cards). If the card he picks matches one in his hand he may put that pair into his pile. His turn is over.
*The player to the left goes next.
*The game is over when one player's cards are all gone. Each player counts his cards in their pair pile. The player with the most cards is the winner.
KID RUMMY:
Number of players: 2-4
Number of cards: 40 Sequenced in suites -the 1st ten of each.
Equipment: pencil and pad for scoring
Object: To get rid of all the cards in your hand by forming sets of three-of-a-kinds, by suit, number or color.
To Play:
*The dealer shuffles and deals 5 cards, face down, to each player.
*The remainder of the deck is placed face down in a pile on the table, and the top card is turned face up.
*All players look at their cards and hold them fanned-out in their hands. (So others cannot see)
*The player to the dealer's left draws either the top card from the pile or the top discard, depending on what he needs to make a three-of-a-kind. If he makes a three-of-a-kind or has one in his hand he may then (during his turn) lay them down (in his area of the table).
He then discards, face up, one of his cards.
*The next player draws, lays down sets and discards. This player may also add a card to another's sets on the table. (Example: player one make a set of three 6's"¦then the next player has a 6 in his hand. He may lay the 6 down in his area to be counted as his points at the end of the game.
*The first player to lay down all his cards is the winner. (A winner doesn't need to have a "discard" if he can lay down all his cards in sets or on another player's sets)
Scoring: Each losing player adds the number of cards he is left holding and awards the winner that number. The first player to reach 25 is the winner!
