Things You'll Need:
- 2 or more players
- Standard deck of 52 cards, with or without Jokers
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Step 1
Play the simplest card game, called "Slap Jack," for hours of fun. It is best played with 3 to 4 players and requires a deck of 52 cards, which is divided equally among all players. Card play consists of each player placing 1 card in turn face up in the center of the table until a Jack appears, at which point the aim is to be the first player to lay their hand on the pile or "slap" Jack. The person with the entire deck at the end of the game wins.
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Step 2
Know that many card games can also be excellent teaching tools for skills such as counting and matching. Find the instructions for "I Doubt It," an easy-to-play card game suitable for ages 6 and up, on the U.S. Playing Card website (see Resources below). In this game, your child will learn how to put cards in sequence by number and suit. They will also learn excellent bluffing skills.
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Step 3
Look for pre-packaged card games such as "Old Maid" or "War," which have clever artwork. Though these games may be played with a traditional 52 card deck, it may be even more fun to play with a deck featuring funny faces or silly sayings.
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Step 4
Set aside time each week to play cards with your kids. Learning more complicated games such as "Spit," where counting and accuracy play a big part, may require more time to master.
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Step 5
Find that playing cards with your kids can increase their attention spans as well as improve their math and logic skills. Games such as "Memory" or "Concentration" require kids to pay attention and remember where cards are placed on the table and to match like numbers or suits.
