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.

Quick Reference Table

The thing with computer games is it seems like they have a terminology all of their own.  Not just the generic ones that apply to most games, but individual games have a language all of their own.  When the boys got in to Minecraft I made it my business to learn all about it and even produced my own Minecraft for parents post too.

Have your children wrote their christmas list yet?  Well it seems that children are no longer writing letters to Santa on paper according to new research conducted by GAME, which is launching its new Xmas List app this week, 29% using an ipad or phone to  produce their Christmas wish list and another 19% just pointing out to their parents the things they want as they appear on adverts on TV!

Gaming terminology guide for parents

So why not take a look at the fab glossary below and make sure that you know what the kids are talking about this Christmas and if you have any questions, then keep an eye open for Gmer Claus this Christmas.

What games are your kids after for Christmas this year?

I love them for the following reasons:

1. They are easy to play
2. They are suitable for toddlers,  preschoolers  and upwards upwards
3. They are fun and educational
4. They are not mind numbing for adults
5. They encourage independent play. My two can play without adult supervision
6. They often combine chance with strategy, which means that people of multiple ages can play
7. They are often 3D, however are easy to assemble and really strong and sturdy
8. They are designed to hold children’s attention and are played over a short period of time.
9. They encourage and enforce educational skills through play without the child even noticing.
10. They are reasonably priced, perfect for gift giving.
11. They have great longevity
12. Super playability
13. They work within children’s short concentration spans

Spooky Steps

We were recently sent Spooky Steps, which is a fun game for 4 to 12 year olds and focusses on maths skills.  It costs £14.99.  The boys both loved this and built it and played independently without any input at all from me and MadDad.   The instructions were clear and concise and they loved the 3D effect of the game board.  The quality of the materials is really obvious and although it has been played with extensively it does not yet show any signs of wear.

The object of the game is to  creep through the spooky house to reach the cauldron and break the witch’s spell.  It encourages math skills, but also adds chance to the game, so evening out any age differences in players.

As a parent this game was a real hit as it meant that the boys were using mathematics in a meaningful context without even realising that maths were involved.  This is the joy of Orchard Toys.  If your child means a little encouragement in a specific area you can focus on it without them even noticing and it makes learning a fun experience through play.