There’s nothing like a family game night to bring everyone together—especially when you have teenagers. While it can sometimes feel like phones and screens are the only things that capture their attention, you might be surprised at how much fun they’ll have sitting around the table with a simple deck of cards (or a few quirky modern games).

Card games are quick to set up, don’t cost much, and create the perfect mix of laughter, competition, and strategy. They’re also a brilliant way to build memories and traditions—something teens secretly love, even if they don’t admit it!

Classic Games with a Standard Deck

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Crazy Eights

Players: 2–6
Objective: Be first to get rid of all your cards.
How to Play: Players take turns matching the top card of the discard pile by suit or rank. Eights are wild and can be played on anything.

Go Fish

Players: 3–6
Objective: Collect the most sets of four.
How to Play: Ask another player for a rank. If they have it, they must give it to you. If not, you draw from the deck.

Rummy

Players: 2–6
Objective: Form sets (three or four of the same rank) or runs (three+ consecutive cards of the same suit).
How to Play: Draw a card, discard a card, and lay down valid sets/runs until you can go out.

Spades

Players: 4
Objective: Win the number of tricks you bid.
How to Play: Each player bids their trick count. Spades are always trump. Players must follow suit if possible.

Hearts

Players: 4
Objective: Score the fewest points.
How to Play: Avoid taking Hearts (1 point each) and the Queen of Spades (13 points). Follow suit if possible.

Spoons

Players: 3–8
Objective: Collect four of a kind and grab a spoon.
How to Play: Cards are passed around quickly. When you collect 4 of a kind, grab a spoon. Everyone else rushes—last player without one is out.

Kings in the Corner

Players: 2–4
Objective: Shed all your cards.
How to Play: Play like solitaire in turns. Kings start corner piles. Build alternating red/black sequences in descending order.

I Doubt It (Cheat/BS)

Players: 3–8
Objective: Get rid of all your cards.
How to Play: Play cards face down, declaring their rank. Others may call ‘I doubt it!’ If caught bluffing, you pick up the pile; if not, the challenger does.

War

Players: 2
Objective: Win all the cards.
How to Play: Each player flips their top card. Higher card wins both. Ties trigger a ‘war’ where players lay more cards face down and another face up.

Modern Family Favourites

If you want even more chaos, fun, and laughter, try these modern classics designed especially for families:

Exploding Kittens

Players: 2–5
Objective: Avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card.
How to Play: Players draw until someone pulls an Exploding Kitten, unless they use a Defuse. Action cards let you skip, attack, or peek.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Players: 3–8
Objective: Be first to slap the pile when word matches card.
How to Play: Players place cards while chanting Taco–Cat–Goat–Cheese–Pizza. If spoken word matches the card, everyone slaps. Last to slap takes the pile.

UNO Flip!

Players: 2–10
Objective: Discard all your cards first.
How to Play: Play like UNO but cards have a light and dark side. A ‘Flip’ card switches all cards to their opposite side, changing rules instantly.

UNO No Mercy

Players: 2–10
Objective: Discard all cards.
How to Play: A chaotic UNO variant with extreme penalties like +7, +10, or ‘Draw Until You Die.’

Oh My Pigeons

Players: 2–6
Objective: Collect pigeon cards while dodging hazards.
How to Play: Draw and play cards that let you gather pigeons or sabotage others. Light, silly, and great for teens.

Phase 10

Players: 2–6
Objective: Complete all 10 phases in order.
How to Play: Each phase requires a different set/run. Draw, discard, and lay down until you complete each phase. First to finish all 10 wins.

Skip-Bo

Players: 2–6
Objective: Clear your stockpile.
How to Play: Build number sequences in the center from 1 to 12 using your hand, discard piles, and stockpile.

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Solitaire-Style Challenges

Sometimes, family game night isn’t everyone around the same table at once—teens also love solo challenges or head-to-head play with solitaire-style games:

Spite and Malice

Players: 2
Objective: Be first to empty your play pile.
How to Play: Similar to Skip-Bo, players build sequences from Ace upwards in the center piles. Strategic blocking and planning are key. [Play Spite and Malice].

Klondike Solitaire

Players: 1 (or race against others)
Objective: Build up four suit stacks from Ace to King.
How to Play: Arrange tableau columns in descending alternating colours. Move cards and draw from stock to uncover all Aces. [Play Klondike Solitaire]

Why Teens Love Family Game Night

Teenagers might roll their eyes at first, but once the cards are dealt, the laughter (and competitiveness!) soon follows. Card games are:

• Bond-Building – You’ll get conversations, in-jokes, and traditions that last far longer than the game.
• Inclusive – Easy enough for younger siblings, but with strategy that keeps teens interested.
• Screen-Free – A welcome break from scrolling.
• Portable – Perfect for holidays, camping, or rainy afternoons.

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