by Kayla Weller

Created on: September 30, 2010

Before video games and television came into our lives, card games were one of the most popular leisure activities available. Families would gather around a table for a night of hearts or crazy eights. Card games still remain a popular pastime for many families and individuals. Over the years, hundreds, possibly thousands of different card games have been created. Some of these, like Bridge, are best suited for adults because of the complex rules. However, there are many that are perfect for families.

Here's a few that are meant to be played with two or more people. I won't list out the full instructions on how to play them since these can easily be found with a Google search or here on Helium.

Hearts: You can find Hearts on many gaming websites like Pogo.com. It's usually played with four people. To win, you'll want to score the fewest number of points by not being forced to draw the hearts card or the queen of spades. It may be a little too complex for very young children but it's a great game for older families.

Poker: Some people might disagree that a card game that revolves around gambling is appropriate for children. But poker is still fun for many children and adults. Instead of  actual money, chips or monopoly money can be used.  There are many variations of the game including Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud, Though it's decreased in popularity lately, Five Card Stud remains one of the easiest poker games to learn. 

Crazy Eights: This card game was the inspiration behind UNO. Players try to match the cards in their hands to the suit or number in the discard pile. If they're unable, they must draw a card from the draw pile. The first player to get rid of all the cards in their hand wins the game.

UNO: This game by Mattel is one of the most popular card games around. While the above games can be played with a standard 52-card deck, you'll need a special deck for UNO. Nearly every toy store and large box store like Kmart or Target carries UNO.

In UNO, you try to match the colors or numbers on the 'discard' pile. Most of the cards are colored and are numbered 0-9 but special cards also exist.  Being forced to 'draw four' by another player can be frustrating when you're close to winning. Or a 'wild' card may win you the game. The game ends when one player wins by getting rid of all of his or her cards.

Of course, these aren't the only games available for a family game night. Many websites and books exist that give directions for hundreds of different games, including Go Fish, Old Maid, and Pig. Try a few and you may find a new favorite.

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