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Best card games for kids: the best kids’ card games are cheap, fit in a pocket, teach a skill like matching, memory or adding, and finish before anyone gets restless. We picked eight that cover ages 5 to 12, from first games like UNO and Rhino Hero to step-up games like Five Crowns. Each pick lists player counts, the age on the box and who should skip it, so you can find the right one for your family.
Our top pick for most families: Rat-a-Tat Cat
Easy to teach, quick to play and sneakily good for memory and adding. It works for 2 to 6 players and costs about $11.
Price band: $10–$20 (about $11) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Quick comparison
| Game | Ages | Players | Main skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNO | 7+ | 2 to 10 | Matching colors and numbers |
| Rat-a-Tat Cat | 6+ | 2 to 6 | Memory and adding |
| Spot It! | 6+ | 2 to 8 | Visual speed |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | 8+ | 2 to 8 | Reaction time |
| Sushi Go! | 8+ | 2 to 5 | Drafting and scoring |
| Five Crowns | 8+ | 2 to 7 | Sets and runs |
| Rhino Hero | 5+ | 2 to 5 | Steady hands |
| Exploding Kittens | 7+ | 2 to 5 | Risk taking |
1. UNO — the first card game most kids learn
Players: 2 to 10, ages 7+ · Price band: $10–$20 (about $11) · Pick for: The first card game most kids learn · See UNO on Amazon
Match the top card by color or number, play action cards to skip or reverse, and shout “UNO” when you have one card left. Most kids pick it up after a single hand, and it scales from two players to a full table of relatives.
Younger kids who know their colors and numbers can usually join with a little help.
If your family already loves it, see our list of games like UNO.
Skip it if: you want any strategy. UNO is mostly about the cards you are dealt.
2. Rat-a-Tat Cat — simple memory and math for early readers
Players: 2 to 6, ages 6+ · Price band: $10–$20 (about $11) · Pick for: Simple memory and math for early readers · See Rat-a-Tat Cat on Amazon
Each player has four face-down cards and tries to finish with the lowest total. You can only peek at your two outer cards at the start, so it is a gentle memory game, and power cards let you peek, swap or draw twice.
It is a sneaky way to practice adding numbers without anyone noticing.
Skip it if: your kids are under 6 and not yet comfortable adding small numbers.
3. Spot It! — speed and matching for mixed ages
Players: 2 to 8, ages 6+ · Price band: Under $10 (about $6) · Pick for: Speed and matching for mixed ages · See Spot It! on Amazon
Every pair of round cards shares exactly one symbol, and the first player to find and call it out wins the round. Younger kids are often as quick as adults, which makes it a great equalizer.
The small tin travels well for restaurants and road trips.
Our guide on how to play Spot It! explains the five mini-games in the box.
Skip it if: someone at your table hates fast, noisy games.
4. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza — loud slapping fun for big groups
Players: 2 to 8, ages 8+ · Price band: Under $10 (about $10) · Pick for: Loud slapping fun for big groups · See Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza on Amazon
Players flip cards while chanting “taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza” in order. When the card matches the word, everyone slaps the pile, and the last hand down takes the cards. Special cards add actions like a gorilla chest-beat.
It is pure chaos in the best way, and rounds take a few minutes.
Skip it if: you have a young child who gets upset about slow reactions.
5. Sushi Go! — a first drafting game
Players: 2 to 5, ages 8+ · Price band: $10–$20 (about $12) · Pick for: A first drafting game · See Sushi Go! on Amazon
Pick one card from your hand and pass the rest, trying to build the best meal of sushi, tempura and pudding. It introduces card drafting, a key idea in many modern games, in about 15 minutes.
The cute art helps younger kids remember what each card does.
Skip it if: your players cannot yet add up scores, though a parent can keep track.
6. Five Crowns — a step up for older kids
Players: 2 to 7, ages 8+ · Price band: Under $10 (about $10) · Pick for: A step up for older kids · See Five Crowns on Amazon
A rummy-style game with five suits and rounds that grow from three cards to thirteen. The wild card changes every round, so kids have to think a little harder each hand.
It is a great bridge from kids’ games to grown-up card games.
Learn the rules in our guide on how to play Five Crowns.
Skip it if: your kids are under 8. The rotating wild card can be confusing.
7. Rhino Hero — a card-stacking game for younger kids
Players: 2 to 5, ages 5+ · Price band: $10–$20 (about $15) · Pick for: A card-stacking game for younger kids · See Rhino Hero on Amazon
Players build a wobbly tower out of folded wall cards and roof cards, and a wooden rhino climbs the floors. Whoever makes the tower fall loses. It builds fine motor skills and suspense in every turn.
Games are short, so it works well before bedtime.
Skip it if: you want a quiet game. The crash is part of the fun.
8. Exploding Kittens — silly risk for older kids
Players: 2 to 5, ages 7+ · Price band: $10–$20 (about $20) · Pick for: Silly risk for older kids · See Exploding Kittens on Amazon
Draw cards until someone draws an exploding kitten and is out, unless they have a defuse card. Action cards let you peek, skip or make someone else draw.
Kids love the absurd art, and the rules fit on one card.
Skip it if: your family dislikes player elimination. Knocked-out players wait for the next round.
How to choose a card game for kids
- Check the reading level. Games that use colors, numbers or pictures are best for kids who are still learning to read.
- Match the game length to attention span. For kids under 7, look for rounds of 10 minutes or less.
- Look for a skill. Memory, adding and quick matching all grow naturally during play.
- Think about elimination. Games where players are knocked out can upset younger kids, so cooperative or short-round games are safer.
- Consider travel. Small boxes and tins are perfect for trips and restaurants.
Classic games with a regular deck
You do not have to buy anything to start. A standard deck works for Go Fish, War, Crazy Eights and Spoons. See how to play Go Fish and how to play War for easy rules, or browse our list of easy card games for everyone.
For mixed ages that include adults, our guide to family card games for all ages has more ideas.
Kids card games FAQ
What is a good first card game for a 5-year-old?
Rhino Hero and Spot It! work well, as do classic games like Go Fish with a regular deck.
Which card games help kids with math?
Rat-a-Tat Cat uses adding to score, and Five Crowns practices sets, runs and counting points.
What card game works for a big group of kids?
UNO plays up to 10, and Spot It! and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza play up to 8.
Are card games good for kids?
Yes. They build turn taking, memory, number sense and patience, and most take only a few minutes to learn.
