Family times are stress-busters and socially engaging in the daily hustle of life. Card games are an excellent choice when you’re looking to have great times with your parents, children, and siblings. They offer fun, strategy, and interaction, making them perfect for bringing everyone together. Sitting together and throwing challenges, you can create memories of a lifetime.
In this list, we’ve gathered 25 of the best family card games that promise to fill your next family game night with excitement. Some of these card games also offer real cash prizes. So, here’s a list of the best card games for families.
Best Card Games To Play with Family
| Game | Special Features | Difficulty Level |
| Go Fish | Matching pairs, simple rules | Easy |
| Crazy Eights | Eights are wild, shedding game | Easy |
| Draw 4 | Color and number matching, action cards | Easy |
| War | Simple comparing of card values | Easy |
| Phase 10 | 10 phases with varying card combinations | Medium |
| Gin Rummy | Forming sets and runs of cards | Medium |
| Monopoly Deal | Fast-paced property sets, action cards | Medium |
| Spot It | Matching symbols, quick reflexes | Easy |
| Sushi Go | Card drafting, set collection | Easy |
| Skip-Bo | Sequential card building, wild cards | Medium |
| Hearts | Trick-taking, avoiding points | Hard |
| Spades | Trick-taking, bidding | Hard |
| Five Crowns | 5-suited deck, rummy-style play | Medium |
| Skyjo | Minimizing card values, hidden cards | Easy |
| Cribbage | Pegging and hand scoring, unique board | Hard |
| Sleeping Queens | Strategy and memory, special cards | Medium |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | Fast-paced, reaction-based | Easy |
| Nerts | Multi-deck, simultaneous play | Hard |
| Kingdomino | Tile placement, strategic board building | Medium |
| Three Thirteen | Changing wild cards each round | Medium |
| Garbage | Sequential card collection | Easy |
| Family Story War | Storytelling twist on classic War | Easy |
| Go Boom! | Trick-taking with unique rules | Medium |
| DOS GO | Match pairs of numbers that add up | Medium |
| Happy Salmon | Fast-paced, physical actions | Easy |
Gin Rummy
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 7+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: Forming sets and runs of cards
Rummy has been there since the 1890s. Probably one or more of your family members would recall the game should the topic of family card games arise. Indeed, the list of family games is incomplete without Rummy, and for the right reasons. Many card games that evolved afterward feature elements of Rummy. It is a multifaceted game that promises fun, challenging, and engaging experiences. In this, you have to form sets and runs by drawing and discarding cards from your hand.
Players have to conduct draw and discard strategically to create valid combinations and go out before their opponents. Many rummy variations exist, such as gin rummy, Indian rummy, etc. You can play the game offline, online, for free, or for real money (like on MPL). If you’re looking for an intense card game for your family, don’t miss Rummy there. If you’re up for a challenge, play Gin Rummy on MPL and win real money up to $50000 daily in cash and rewards!
Read how to play Rummy Guide for a complete reference.
Spades
Number of Players: 4 (in teams of 2)
Age Limit: 10+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: Trick-taking, bidding
Spades is a cooperative card game that is played in partnerships. The objective is to keep a bet on the number of tricks your team can take and play it to meet or exceed the bid. There will be 13 rounds, and Spades (♠️) is always the trump suit, adding a unique facet to the gameplay. The game requires the standard deck of cards, four players, and your favorite family members! The winning score is predetermined before the start of the game.
Successful bets earn points, and the first team to reach the target score wins. Spades game involves skillful communication, strategy, and collaboration, so it is one of the best family card games for building rapport and understanding each other. You can play Spades on MPL for both free and cash tournaments, where even beginners can participate. Not to mention that skilled players make up to $50,000/day.
Draw 4
Number of Players: 2-10
Age Limit: 7+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: Color and number matching, action cards (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, Wild)
If you know UNO, the Draw 4 game on MPL is no different from that, except that it is more competitive for skilled players. But it serves the intention of playing card games with family. Everyone, from children to adults to elders, will find a reason to fall back on this favorite card game, whether it is strategy, entertainment, or accessibility. The first player to get rid of all cards wins the game, while they must also end with the lowest score. The running timer ensures the game is challenging enough.
Come round; a player has to place a face-up card in the discard pile. Other players must match it by number or color. The player with the lowest score at the end wins. Playing Draw 4 on MPL is equally rewarding, helping you earn up to $50,000 daily in rewards and cashouts. You can start cashing out from as low as $2. Of course, it is one of the best card games for family during leisure and free time.
Know More: Best 3 Player Card Games
Go Fish
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 4+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Matching pairs, simple rules
Go Fish is a classic card game suitable for young players. The goal of the game is to collect sets of four matching cards, known as books, by asking your opponents for specific ranks. If the opponent has requested the cards, they must hand them over; if not, the player “goes Fishing” by drawing from the deck. Those who collect the most books will be the winners. Go Fish is a good game for children to train on matching, memory, and social interaction. While adults can play four book versions, you can modify it so that children can collect two books to make the game more accessible. You can read the complete guide to playing Go Fish to start.
Crazy Eights
Number of Players: 2-7
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Special Features: Eights are wild, shedding game.
Crazy Eights might sound like a new name to play cards. But it is already popular as Eights or Swedish Rummy. It is a game where players try to eliminate all their cards. The game uses the standard deck of cards for five or fewer players. For more players, a second deck of cards is necessary. Players match the top card of the discard pile with either the same suit or the same rank. Eights are wild cards in this game, which explains the name of the game. You can play the wild cards at any time and choose a new suit.
However, some versions do not allow finishing on an eight-card. Again, the goal points are based on the number of players, e.g., 100 points for 2Ps, 150 for 3Ps, and so on. The first player to reach the set points wins. Crazy Eights places itself among the fun family card games due to its adaptability and quick playtime.
War
Number of Players: 2+
Age Limit: 4+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Simple comparison of card values; no strategy is required.
The objective of the War card game is to collect all cards from your opponents. The rules of the War game are straightforward, where two players split the deck evenly and reveal cards simultaneously. When they reveal matching cards, they’re at WAR. The player with the higher card wins the two played cards, and play continues till one of them wins all the cards. The player with empty hands will be eliminated from the round.
The card ranks are from Ace to 2 in descending order, with Jokers may be included. This fun game can be easily adapted for multiple players by including more decks. Alternatively, you can reduce the number of face-down cards in each battle for that. In any case, War turns out to be a simple family card game with great fun and challenge.
Phase 10
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: 10 phases with varying card combinations
Phase 10 is a rummy-style game where players have to complete 10 distinct phases, each with its own set of card combinations, like sets, runs, or a combination of both. Players must complete a phase to move to the next round while preventing others from doing so. The first player to get through all of the phases wins. Also, when a player doesn’t complete a phase, they have to finish it to move forward, though others are progressing. The game takes quite a time to finish, but it is worth the fun. It is among the best family card games and can accommodate more people.
Monopoly Deal
Number of Players: 2-5
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Fast-paced card game based on Monopoly
Grasping the Monopoly Deal game will not be difficult if you know the classic Monopoly board game! Monopoly Deal is a compressed version of the famous board game, giving it to you in 15 minutes. Players in this card game collect property sets, charge rent, and use action cards to gain advantages or disrupt opponents. The first player to collect three full property sets wins the game. Don’t mistake the shorter version of the fun game.
Monopoly Deal retains the zest and strategy of the original game for card game lovers (otherwise, what’s the point?), but it’s more portable and accessible. It’s a perfect choice of card games for family that are easy to learn but competitive.
Spot It
Number of Players: 2-8
Age Limit: 6+
Play Time: 15 minutes
Special Features: Matching symbols, quick reflexes
Spot It is a quick and engaging game that tests player’s observational skills. Each card features a series of symbols, and any two cards share exactly one matching symbol. To win the round, players must quickly recognize the matching symbol between their card and a central card. Thanks to the versatility of the game, there are multiple variations, including Spot It Junior for toddlers. The game’s fast-paced nature helps to improve children’s memory and attention, making them more agile. No wonder it’s among the top family card games!
Sushi Go
Number of Players: 2-5
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Special Features: Card drafting, set collection
Sushi Go must remind you of Kung Fu Panda and the Japanese food scene in general. Well, Sushi Go is a game for younger counterparts to have fun and compete in creating the best sushi meal! Each round, players choose a card from their hand and then pass the remaining cards to the next player; of course, it is a fast-paced game. Based on the types of Sushi and combinations collected, like sashimi sets or a variety of maki rolls, you will be awarded points. The whole game contains three rounds. Sushi Go is easy to learn, so we’re including it in the light and fun family card games. More so for those who love food-themed games.
Skip-Bo
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 7+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Special Features: Sequential card building, wild cards
Skip-Bo is a member of sequencing card games where players race to play all their cards in numerical order. Everyone draws cards and attempts to build sequential stacks from 1 to 12, using both their hand and a personal draw pile. You will build sequences on shared central piles. The goal is to eliminate your stock pile as soon as possible. Skip-Bo is more of a relaxing game and is not fast-paced, making it ideal for lasting family time. While learning is easy, there are enough tactical decisions to keep it engaged. The game’s colorful tiles are another perk to its appeal.
Hearts
Number of Players: 3-6
Age Limit: 12+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: Trick-taking, avoiding points
A member of trick-taking games, the Hearts card game is about avoiding collecting certain cards that carry penalty points, like the hearts (♥️)and Queen of Spades. Each player passes three cards to an opponent before the play begins, adding a layer of strategy. The game is played until one player reaches 100 points, with the lowest score winning. Hearts are among the strategic family card games that require careful planning and reading of the opponent’s mind. So basically, it is a challenging and satisfying game for adults if they want to!
Five Crowns
Number of Players: 1-7
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: 5-suited deck, rummy-style play.
Five Crowns is a rummy-styled game at its core, but with a strategic twist– there are five suits instead of the traditional four. The game consists of several rounds (usually 11), with the number of cards dealt corresponding to the round number. Each round will have more wild cards, adding excitement and unpredictability. The objective is to form sets and runs to go out first. Sometimes, the game is considered a blend of Rummy and Phase 10 for obvious reasons. Five-crowns offers a fresh take on traditional family card games, making it accessible to those who love strategy.
Know About : Trick-Taking Card Games Like Spades
Skyjo
Number of Players: 2-8
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 30 minutes
Special Features: Minimizing card values, hidden cards
If you’re looking for educational family card games without missing out on fun, Skyjo is a new addition! Players aim to collect as few points as possible by strategically swapping, flipping, and collecting cards. The game follows grid-based mechanics; players reveal cards to minimize their score. The game is simple, with a bit of luck involved. Choose this fun game if you’re looking to bond through card games for families. It has a quick playtime, too!
Cribbage
Number of Players: 2-4
Age Limit: 10+
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Special Features: Pegging and hand scoring, unique board
Cribbage as a card game has been around for a long time, and its popularity is due to the fun involved. The game stands out with its scoring system involving a pegboard. It is played in two phases: the play, where players lay down cards in turn, and the show, where players reveal their hands and score points based on combinations. Playing cribbage requires strategic thinking, as players decide which cards to keep and which to discard into the “crib”, a secondary hand for the dealer. Though it is a 2 to 4-player game, it is mainly played in partnership.
Sleeping Queens
Number of Players: 2-5
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Special Features: Strategy and memory, special cards
Sleeping Queens is a whimsical card game where players use strategy and memory to awaken the queens from their slumber. Each card has a powerful action associated with it. Players use cards like King cards to wake queens, defend against opponents, or steal their queens. The first player to collect a set number of queen cards or points wins the game; usually, 5 Queen cards or 50 points if there are 2-3 players or 4 Queen cards or 40 points for 4-5 players.
The game’s colorful artwork and simple mechanics make it appealing to children, while the strategic elements also make it engaging for adults. As one of the family card games, it has enough leisure, strategy, and a bit of luck.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Number of Players: 2-8
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Special Features: Fast-paced, reaction-based
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a card game that tests players’ reflexes and memory. Players take turns playing cards while uttering “Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza” in order, almost as a breakout! Now you can see the real fun. When the card matches the word spoken, players must quickly slap the pile; the last one to do so collects the pile. The game is simple but chaotic, making it a fun and energetic choice of family card games. It’s great for kids and adults alike, who can go unrestrained every round.
Nerts
Number of Players: 2-4 (teams of 2)
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Multi-deck, simultaneous play
Nerts is a more competitive version of Solitaire that is perfect on any game night with friends and family. It is also known as Pounce or Peanuts, where you must race against your friends to eliminate your cards in a shared central area while managing your tableau effectively. You will be granted points in the process. While it combines the elements of Solitaire, Nertz is more head-to-head, making it more challenging yet exhilarating among card games for families.
The first player to reach 100 points wins the game. Nertz demands quick thinking, sharp reflexes, and multitasking above all. It is best played with four players, which is what family card games should serve.
Kingdomino
Number of Players: 2-4
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Special Features: Tile placement, strategic board building
Kingdomino is a tile-placement game where you must build kingdoms by matching domino-like tiles featuring different terrains. The goal is to build the most valuable kingdom that wins the most points. For that, you must strategically place tiles with matching terrains, keeping an eye on crown symbols that multiply the score. Territories score points based on their size and number of crowns. The game ends when you run out of tiles. The Kingdomino rules are simple to assimilate and derive fun from its family card games. The colorful tiles are yet another appealing aspect of the game.
Three Thirteen
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 8+
Play Time: 45-60 minutes
Special Features: Changing wild cards each round
Three Thirteen is a variation of the Rummy game consisting of 11 rounds, each with an increasing number of cards dealt and a changing wild card. The goal is to form sets and runs by drawing and discarding cards to improve their hand. The player with the lowest score emerges as the winner at the end. As mentioned, wild cards keep changing in each round, e.g., 3s are wild in the first round, 4s in the second, fives in the third, and so on. If you’re looking for an alternative to Rummy family card games, try Three Thirteen. Indeed, many variations exist, such as modifying card points, using Ace as both low and high, or using Jokers as wild cards. The game offers enough adaptability.
Garbage
Number of Players: 2-6+
Age Limit: 6+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Special Features: Sequential card collection
Garbage or Trash game is a familiar card game catering to the fun needs of all ages. It’s a great game for kids to learn basic counting and math skills. Garbage uses the standard deck of cards. Players aim to be the first to complete a sequence of cards from 1 to 10 (or 12 in some variations). This happens through drawing and discarding, replacing cards in their sequence if they get the correct numbers. However, the number of decks increases based on the player count 1 deck for 2-3 players, 2 for 4-5, and 3 for 6 or more. Offering a quick and enjoyable experience, Garbage fits the appeal of family card games well.
Family Story War
Number of Players: 2-6
Age Limit: 6+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Storytelling twist on classic War
Standing apart in family card games, Family Story War offers a creative twist to make it engaging. It is a storytelling card game where players use cards featuring characters, settings, and items to craft imaginative stories. Each player competes to create the most entertaining or convincing story based on the cards they draw. It is a game that can accommodate people of all ages in one setting, where each one of them can play to their capacity. There is collaboration, improvisation, and edginess of a card game. Use this fun game as a tool to tell stories to growing children without missing out on the typical gaming experience.
Go Boom!
Number of Players: 2-5+
Age Limit: 4+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Special Features: Trick-taking with unique rules
Using a standard 52-deck of cards, Go Boom has been among the best card games for families for a while due to its fun and strategic depth blend. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hand and shout “Boom!”. That’s why the name of the game. Those who win will collect the pip value of the cards from other players based on the cards remaining in their hands. The value of the cards is 1 point for Ace, 10 points each for face cards, and the pip value for others. You can make it a scoring game to make it complicated for adult family card games.
DOS GO
Number of Players: 2-4
Age Limit: 7+
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Special Features: Match pairs of numbers that add up to cards in the center.
DOS GO is a card game that improvises on the UNO game with a new layer of strategy. While UNO perfectly caters to children, DOS GO also meets the needs of adults with strategic elements. Not just match numbers, but you have to match pairs of numbers that add up to the cards in the center pile in this. 7 cards are dealt to each player and 2 cards to a center row in the middle of the table. The objective is to be the first player to play all the cards in your hands. When you have just 2 cards remaining, say “DOS!” and you will gain points for other players’ cards. The game points are usually 200. DOS GO is suited for family game nights that need fun rather than as a serious game.
Happy Salmon
Number of Players: 3-6
Age Limit: 6+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Special Features: Fast-paced, physical card matching and action game.
Happy Salmon is a speedy and energetic card game where players race to match and perform actions with other players as quickly as possible. There are a set of actions like fist bumps, Switcheroo, and the signature “Happy Salmon” move. There is high-fivin’ and fin-flappin’ fun too! But only two players at the most can match up their actions. If you do not find a match, you may place your action card at the bottom of your deck anytime and continue with the next card.
The first player to discard their last card and shout “FIN-ished” wins the adventure. Happy Salmon has a noiseless variant where no words are allowed except silent actions to match up! As you can see, it’s among the best family card games available for fun.
Learn How to Play: Go Fish Card Game
Conclusion
These are the most popular family card games that best serve your game nights, serving people of all age groups. Many games like Rummy are also available online for people to connect and play together. When playing with kids, tweak the rules, like reducing the target score or number of cards. For adults, you can add more challenges.
Remember, whenever choosing card games for the family, prioritize fun, interaction, and a bit of strategy. It should not be too competitive to kill the mood of playing together nor too lenient to take away the engaging element of the game session. Select the one that suits you to enjoy playing together!
FAQs
What is the most common card game?
The most common playing card game is Poker, known for its various forms, such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Its blend of strategy and chance has made it widely popular worldwide.
How to make a card game fun for a family?
To make a card game fun for the family, ensure it’s inclusive with simple rules everyone can grasp. Add personalized twists or house rules for variety and keep sessions lively with small rewards. Encourage friendly competition rather than rivalry. Most importantly, focus on fostering enjoyment and bonding in family card games rather than just winning.
What are some family card games with a deck of cards?
Using a standard deck, family card games include Go Fish, Crazy Eights, War, Hearts, Spades, and Rummy. These games are accessible, engaging, and suitable for all age groups.
What is a guessing card game?
A guessing card game involves players trying to deduce or predict the identity of hidden or unknown cards based on limited information. These games often require strategy, memory, and deduction skills, with players making educated guesses to win. Examples include “Guess Who?” and certain versions of “Go Fish.”
What are popular card games online for real money?
Poker, Rummy, Poker Puzzle, and Solitaire are some of the most popular card games to play online for real money. However, choosing a legitimate platform is essential to prevent fraud. For example, MPL is RNG licensed and SSL secured, which prioritizes the safety of its players.
