We all know the classics — Snap, Gin Rummy, Go Fish — but there’s a whole world of newer card games that are brilliant for family game nights, rainy afternoons, or keeping everyone entertained on a long car journey. Here are 10 family-friendly card games recommended by Board Game Guys.
#1. Monster Factory
Manufacture hairy, snotty, boggle-eyed monsters in Monster Factory. Lay tiles and build the biggest monster and minion you can. Tally up points for each tile and win with the wackiest-looking creature.
This is a well-designed tile game for kids and adults where your imagination is the only limit.
Age: 5+, Players: 2-6, Playing time: 30 minutes
#2. Dobble
Parents, Dobble is a great compact card game you can pop in a bag and play anywhere.
Five games in one set of cards — simply spot the matching symbols of varying sizes. Easy to learn, easy to play and loads of fun for any age.
Age: 5+, Players: 2-8, Playing time: 15 minutes
#3. Jungle Speed
Fancy being chief of the Aboulou tribe? Then you’ll need a keen eye and a quick, steady hand to play Jungle Speed. Players are dealt cards, and on each turn a card is revealed onto each player’s discard pile. When two symbols match, those players “duel” and grab for the small wooden totem placed in the middle of the game.
The fastest player wins the duel and hands over their discard pile to the loser. Special cards throw players off their game and provoke mistakes. Get rid of all your cards and you become chief!
Age: 7+, Players: 2-10, Playing time: 15 minutes
#4. Dixit Jinx
A portable version from the Dixit family, Dixit Jinx uses much simpler images than the original game. Nine cards are revealed in a 3×3 square, and the active player draws a locator card that indicates which card in the square must be described. The active player then speaks, sings or acts out a clue hinting at the chosen card.
Victory points are scored as other players collect or hand over cards depending on whether they guess correctly. A great introduction to the Dixit series.
Age: 8+, Players: 3-6, Playing time: 15 minutes
#5. Saboteur
Are you a miner or a saboteur — a truth-teller or a bluffer? In Saboteur, players get a mixed hand of path and action cards. Miners choose path cards to build tunnels towards one of three possible locations of the golden nugget.
Saboteurs do their best to hinder the tunnels’ progress towards the treasure, while action cards can block or unblock path building along the way.
So hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work you go!
Age: 8+, Players: 3-10, Playing time: 30 minutes
Related: 15 Fun Card Games for Kids
#6. Hobbit
Calling all Lord of the Rings fans — relive the struggle of good versus evil in this fast-paced, trick-taking card game, The Hobbit.
This flight of fantasy deals damage to your enemies or heals your allies, depending on the cards in your winning hands.
Are you brave — or evil — enough to take this journey through Middle-earth?
Age: 10+, Players: 2-5, Playing time: 30 minutes
#7. Love Letter
A beautifully illustrated and charming card game of deduction, risk and luck: Love Letter.
Princess Annette has locked herself in the palace, and to win her hand you must be the first to deliver your letter. Win each round and try to eliminate all the other suitors.
Age: 10+, Players: 2-4, Playing time: 20 minutes
#8. Citadels
Fancy building a medieval city destined for greatness? You’ll need to earn gold to buy districts, bluff, intimidate and outmanoeuvre your rivals in the brilliant Citadels.
Each round, choose your character wisely — it will shape your city’s future. Build eight districts before your opponents and you’ll win the game and hold the key to the city!
Age: 10+, Players: 2-8, Playing time: 20-60 minutes
#9. Munchkin
This dungeon adventure called Munchkin is fast-playing, hysterical and really silly!
Slay everything in sight, backstab your friends and steal the treasure. There are numerous stand-alone Munchkin card games, all of which can be combined, plus plenty of expansions.
Loads of silly fun!
Age: 10+, Players: 3-6, Playing time: 60-120 minutes
#10. Timeline
Timeline has 220 cards, each showing a historical event or invention on one side and the year it happened on the other. It could be the invention of toothpaste or the building of the pyramids — obscure to everyday general knowledge.
Players place their cards in chronological order along a timeline, one card per round. Get it wrong, and you pick up another card from the deck. The winner is the first to get rid of all their cards. Good, clean fun for all ages!
Age: 8+, Players: 2-8, Playing time: 15 minutes
About Board Game Guys
The Board Game Guys online store offers a wide range of board games and card games, with fast shipping and friendly customer care.
Board Game Guys is a small team from County Galway, passionate about bringing customers an amazing world of games that are brain-stimulating, fun-loving tabletop entertainment for all ages and interests. These games encourage family and friends to bond, participate and compete — giving true meaning to the spirit of playing games together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these card games suitable for?
This list covers games from age 5 right up to 10+, so there’s something here whatever the age mix in your family. Check the age guide under each game before you buy.
How many players do these games need?
Most of the games above work well with anywhere from 2 to 8 players, making them handy for small family evenings or bigger gatherings with cousins and friends.
Are these good rainy day activities?
Yes — card games are ideal for rainy days, since they need no outdoor space, pack away easily, and most games here take 15 to 60 minutes to play.
Where can I buy these games?
The games featured here are available from Board Game Guys, an online Irish retailer. Availability and pricing can change, so check their site for current stock and cost.
Have you played any of these new card games? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
More rainy day family fun
Looking for more ways to fill a wet afternoon? Browse our rainy day activities for more game ideas, indoor entertainment and screen-free fun for all the family — and check out 15 Fun Card Games for Kids for even more inspiration.
Enjoyed this list? Save it for your next family game night, or bookmark it so you have a go-to list of new games to try.
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