10 Best Card Games for Kids in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Early Childhood Educator
With kid-friendly card games, children can apply several ideas, concepts, trivia, and theories they acquired from school or books. It also allows them to use their imagination and hone their skills, especially in creativity and critical thinking. Although there are card games that kids can play online, it is still better to have actual physical card games to take time off their screens and gadgets.
Playing card games is also a great way to have children focus more on interacting with others. They can be a viable choice when looking for a gift for your pamangkin or inaanak. You're in luck as we've prepared a list of the best card games for kids to play with friends and family, as well as a buying guide for you to get the most suitable one for the age and skill level of the child. We also asked for some insights and comments from Och Gonzalez, an Early Childhood Educator.
Quick List - Top Card Games for Kids
Dolphin Hat Games
Enhances Children's Coordination Skills and Encourages Them to Think Fast
Och Gonzalez has been an early childhood educator in Manila for over 20 years. As a preschool teacher and grade school academic coach, she has worked with young children and their families to achieve learning goals and address developmental concerns. She has created reading programs that aim to develop literacy skills and a love for reading in young children. She holds an MA in Education from the Ateneo de Manila University and is also the author of the children’s book, “Every Sunday.”
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Playing Card Games for Kids
- How to Choose a Card Games for Kids – Buying Guide
- Keep Your Kids’ Interests and Preferences in Mind to Make Them More Interested to Play1
- Check the Age Rating As Well as the Level of Skill and Comprehension Required for the Game2
- Consider the Number of Players Needed to Start the Game3
- Choose a Card Game With Colorful Designs and Illustrations to Capture Your Kids’ Attention4
- Know the Average Playing Time so That You Can Set a Schedule for the Game5
- Frequently Asked Questions Answered By Och Gonzalez
- Is It Okay to Change the Rules?
- Is a Deck of Cards Also Okay to Use?
- How Can I Easily Teach the Rules of the Games?
- More Tips From Och Gonzalez
- See Och Gonzalez' Recommended Card Games for Kids Below!
- More Fun Activities for Your Little One
- How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Benefits of Playing Card Games for Kids
Card games hold some mental, emotional, and social benefits to children, especially when their parents play with them. Children have a chance to have quality and intimate interaction with their families while engaging in a friendly competition. It eventually strengthens family bonds and is not just merely a pastime.
They are also an excellent way to teach patience and good sportsmanship. As their tiny hands hold playing cards, they develop dexterity and eye-hand coordination. Most card games require multiple players, providing an authentic path for increased social interaction and building friendships.
Card games help children develop mental alertness, motor and listening skills, concentration, better reflexes, and to some extent, academics. Card games are also lightweight and handy, requiring only the card deck and a flat surface, which means card games can be played almost anywhere.
Card games are a great way to train children to practice patience and taking turns. They are also a good way to introduce the concept of strategy as they learn to figure out their next move, as well as critical thinking skills like predicting outcomes and sequencing, among others.
How to Choose a Card Games for Kids – Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Keep your kids' interests and preferences in mind to make them more interested to play.
- Check the age rating as well as the level of skill and comprehension required for the game.
- Consider the number of players needed to start the game.
- Choose a card game with colorful designs and illustrations to capture your kids' attention.
- Know the average playing time so that you can set a schedule for the game.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Keep Your Kids’ Interests and Preferences in Mind to Make Them More Interested to Play
When choosing a card game, assess your kids’ interests and preferences as to the game that they more likely would play. If you have older kids, a better option is to present all available card games, then have a consensus with the family on what to buy. This way, there is greater assurance that you will not be wasting money.
As for younger kids, the best way to know what they like is to introduce them to as many card games as possible since they may not have ample knowledge of the variety. Although this might be a pricey option, you will get to know their interests and at the same time, they will be able to train their brains in the guise of fun.
When introducing card games to your child, it's a great idea to match the theme with his interests. Once he sees that card games are fun and is more comfortable with the concept, you can then begin to introduce other themes, even those he's not familiar with.
Check the Age Rating As Well as the Level of Skill and Comprehension Required for the Game
Card games have an age rating indicated on the label or product description on shopping sites. It specifies the age group that can grasp and understand the gameplay. For example, a young child may still have basic reading skills and comprehension, so image-based card games are better, while older kids will enjoy more complex games.
They support the development of different skills like memorization, vocabulary, spelling, math, matching, number, and pattern recognition. Some games involve strategic planning, and statistics, and probability. Kids are in the formative years of their lives, where their minds are like sponges absorbing information and skills.
The mechanics of card games are also important. Some only require simple understanding, while others need more advanced comprehension. As much as possible, look for games that have simple instructions. You may also check websites, blogs, or video tutorials to assess if the card game is appropriate for children.
While it can be tempting to make your child play a difficult game to hone his skills, it can be counterproductive if the game is too difficult for him to follow. Instead of seeing card games as a source of enjoyment, he might end up getting overly frustrated. A great card game should be difficult enough to give the right amount of challenge, but easy enough for the player to relax.
Consider the Number of Players Needed to Start the Game
The number of players is also important before buying since you want to involve the entire family or your kid's group of friends so that nobody gets left out. In general, a card game requires at least 2 and up to 12 players. Some card games can be played with teams such as Codenames.
If the game needs a facilitator or a gamemaster, you should also take that into account. Knowing the minimum and maximum count of players will help you choose which card game suits your needs and is most appropriate depending on the kids' headcount.
Have a wide selection of card games to choose from if you can so that your child can have options for a quiet one-on-one card game or a game for multiple players. If your child tends to have a shorter attention span, perhaps it would be best to start with a 2-player game and work your way up to more complex and multi-player games as he learns to sustain more focus.
Choose a Card Game With Colorful Designs and Illustrations to Capture Your Kids’ Attention
The design of a card game is one of the factors worth considering because most kids tend to be visual learners. They give the first and even leave lasting impressions and can give an idea as to how engaging these games can be to their target buyers. Images must be clear, visible, and easily recognizable by kids.
Eye-catching and vivid colors and symbols would get their attention, especially if they are a crucial part of the game. As such, they will learn how to associate colors with words and symbols. You may even see ones that feature characters from movies and personalities.
Colorful and child-friendly illustrations are crucial, especially if you're aiming to develop math or visual discrimination skills in your child. More importantly, it should be simple and easy to understand. For instance, if you're playing a strategy card game, the design of each card must clearly convey its function.
Know the Average Playing Time so That You Can Set a Schedule for the Game
Playing card games are fun such that you may lose track of time. But if you just want to have a quick one before the kids' bedtime, get one that takes around 15 to 20 minutes to finish. Some games have sand timers, usually of 1-minute intervals because they rely on speed to win. The playing time of these card games depends on the number of rounds so these are options for short games.
However, it can be difficult to gauge the playing time of goal-based, and problem-solving card games. The length also depends on the number of players because everyone takes turns to make a move. These card games are better if you're not rushing especially when you're bonding with the kids over the weekend.
The estimated duration of gameplay can be found at the front or at the back of the box. It is important to know the time a card game takes to finish so you can allot ample time accordingly. This is so that you can manage your expectations and the kids wouldn't feel bitin or sawa.
For younger kids, keep in mind that they have shorter attention spans and may lose interest easily, so it's best to choose a game with a shorter playing time. As they gain more patience and focus, you can level up slowly to games with longer playing times.
10 Best Card Games for Kids to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mattel Uno Cards | | A Classic Card Game With Colorful Illustrations and Simple Mechanics | |
2 | Dolphin Hat Games Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | | Enhances Children's Coordination Skills and Encourages Them to Think Fast | |
3 | Hasbro Monopoly Bid | | A New and Exciting Twist to the Well-Loved Strategy Game | |
4 | Zygomatic Spot It! Card Game | | A Simple But Exciting Game on Finding Identical Images | |
5 | PlayMonster LCC 5 Second Rule Card Game | | The Five-Second Time Limit Keeps the Players on Their Toes | |
6 | Czech Games Codenames Card Game | | Expand Your Little Ones’ Vocabulary With a Mystery Game | |
7 | The Oatmeal Exploding Kittens Card Game | | The Loved Cat-Themed Card Game That Can Develop Your Kids’ Strategic Thinking Skills | |
8 | The Oatmeal You've Got Crabs Card Game | | Fosters Teamwork and Challenges the Players to Think Outside the Box | |
9 | Gamewright Sushi Go Party! | | A Pick and Pass Card Game Featuring Scrumptious Japanese Dishes | |
10 | Indie Boards & Games The Resistance: Coup | | A Role-Playing Card Game That Helps Kids Develop Their Decision-Making Skills |
A Classic Card Game With Colorful Illustrations and Simple Mechanics
This game is almost everyone's favorite across generations. It's easy and fun to play with family and friends with a little friendly competitiveness. In terms of design, UNO is simple because the cards are just numbers and a few symbols in different colors.
Playing with Uno cards only requires knowing basic colors such as blue, yellow, red, and green, and numbers from 0 to 9. Kids will learn how to match them accordingly as the game progresses. The action cards like skip, draw 2 or 4, and change color are pretty much straightforward in their meaning.
You may also tweak the mechanics to make it more exciting. The bottom line is to shout "UNO!" when you have only one card left in your hand. Otherwise, when another player notices, you will have to pick two cards. If you have no cards left, you win!
Dolphin Hat GamesTaco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Enhances Children's Coordination Skills and Encourages Them to Think Fast
If your kids are in for some quick, fun, and easy to learn card game, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a great choice! The cards are evenly distributed to the players, who will each then take turns to draw a card from their pile. While a card is drawn, the players will utter Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza sequentially.
If any of the five words matches the image on the latest card drawn, players race to slap the card. The last one who lays down their hand is given the pile. Showing slight hesitation is costly as the current stack will be handed to you. In order to win, you must get rid of all your cards and be the first to slap the pile on the next instance that the words are the same with the topmost card.
HasbroMonopoly Bid
A New and Exciting Twist to the Well-Loved Strategy Game
Monopoly is one of the most popular board games that stood the test of time. If you're looking for something that has a similar concept but with faster gameplay, try Monopoly Bid! Each player has five random cards composed of action and money cards used to acquire properties.
Everyone takes turns to become the Auction Host. Including the host, the players engage in blind bidding. The highest bidder per round gets the property. Action cards allow you to steal or even swap properties with other players. Ultimately, the first one who acquires three properties wins the game!
ZygomaticSpot It! Card Game
A Simple But Exciting Game on Finding Identical Images
This card game is one of the simplest on the list but creates a fun atmosphere, thus securing the second spot. Spot-It! contains 55 cards with 8 different symbols each, making them colorful and engaging, especially for kids.
Each player will be given a random card, and there is a draw pile in the middle. You must find a common symbol between your card with the card at the topmost pile. The first one who spots the match gets the card, and so on. The objective of the game is to acquire the most cards by the time they run out.
This game promotes hand-eye coordination and speed since you need to get the cards before the other players. In addition, kids will be able to test their attention to detail and pattern recognition. If you're looking for a game that gives you a heart-pumping experience and adrenaline rush, get Spot It!
PlayMonster LCC5 Second Rule Card Game
The Five-Second Time Limit Keeps the Players on Their Toes
The game 5 Second Rule is an oral enumeration kind, which tests the kids' knowledge about general information and trivia under pressure. It also helps in building their communication and vocabulary skills. This contains questions printed on cards and an hourglass timer.
As for the mechanics, they are as simple as the name; pick a question card and enumerate three answers in five seconds. If you get everything right within the time limit, you get the point and the card. But, if you fail, your opponents get a chance to steal!
This game is recommended for ages 10 and up and requires 3 to 6 players. Although this mainly caters to older kids, younger ones can play as well if they are well-versed in trivia. You can also buy a 5 Second Rule Junior or make DIY cards yourself if you want to include more topics.
Czech GamesCodenames Card Game
Expand Your Little Ones’ Vocabulary With a Mystery Game
Codenames is a spy-themed word game for older kids that promotes teamwork and creativity to win. It does help in developing skills in word association, vocabulary, ideation, and communication that are vital in finding the spies and avoiding the assassin.
The goal is for a team is to discover the secret codename of the spies first over their opponents. To do this, teams must compile the cards with the words that are related to each other. The spymaster will give clues with a limited amount of words per turn.
The OatmealExploding Kittens Card Game
The Loved Cat-Themed Card Game That Can Develop Your Kids’ Strategic Thinking Skills
At first, this card game will captivate us with its different cat characters like Cat-taco and Catato, laser beams, and magical enchiladas, but it will ultimately reel us in more with how exciting and strategic its gameplay is.
Exploding Kittens is an award-winning game commended by CNN and will surely tempt you to buy your own and play with your family and friends. This game is for children aged 7 and up and requires a minimum of two and a maximum of five players.
The goal of the game is to avoid any exploding kitten card by using other tactic cards that would either defuse the bomb, skip a turn, peek from the card pile, or reshuffle the deck.
The OatmealYou've Got Crabs Card Game
Fosters Teamwork and Challenges the Players to Think Outside the Box
You've Got Crabs is a game of teamwork and making creative and witty signals. It harnesses strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and even non-verbal communication skills. Like Exploding Kittens, You've Got Crabs has exciting and eye-catching designs with a combination of adorable artworks and crisp colored crabs.
The game is for children ages seven and up and requires four to ten players. To win, you or your teammate must draw four identical cards on every opportunity and demonstrate a secret sign or body language to your teammate so you can shout "You've Got Crabs!" and earn points.
A Pick and Pass Card Game Featuring Scrumptious Japanese Dishes
Itadakimasu! Sushi Go Party! is the new and expanded version of Sushi Go! as more signature Japanese dishes come your way. The kids will love this game not only because of its vibrant and colorful designs but also due to its fun gameplay. Each Japanese delicacy corresponds to the points you will lose or gain.
Every player draws one card face down that is simultaneously flipped after. Then, your current stack will be passed to the player next to you. This goes on until all the cards are drawn. Count the scores by the end of each round, and whoever gets the most points after three rounds has the winning menu!
A Role-Playing Card Game That Helps Kids Develop Their Decision-Making Skills
This roleplaying, bluffing card game will keep you on your feet and make you trust no one, even your real-life close friends. In Coup, you're a different person, intending to eliminate every player to win. Coup's illustrations are very realistic that will make older kids invested in the game.
It takes two to six players to start and is recommended for kids at least 10 years old. Each player has two cards faced down that are either of five different characters that are heads of their own family. The game starts by doing actions indicated in the tags you are holding. The goal is to be the last one with one face-down card left to win, gaining the power to exile the other families.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered By Och Gonzalez
In all card games, there are always rules to follow in gameplay. If you're looking for more creative ways to play your kid's favorite card game, it is completely alright to tweak the methods and rules a bit. You can also use a regular deck of cards for different kinds of games. Our expert Och Gonzalez provides a few tips on following rules.
Is It Okay to Change the Rules?
When you change rules often to suit kids’ preferences, you could be showing them that it’s okay to bend rules when things don’t go their way. Rules are there to provide stability and fairness to all the players. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a hard no. It’s a good idea to listen to their reasons for wanting to change the rules, acknowledge those, and explain what rules are for. You can then allow kids to modify or create new rules, as long as it is done before the game, and never during the game.
Is a Deck of Cards Also Okay to Use?
Yes! In fact, the traditional deck of cards is one of the most versatile toys you can use with kids. You can use them for sorting, matching, and memory games with younger children. For older children, you can introduce basic and classic card games like Go Fish, Old Maid, and Snap!
How Can I Easily Teach the Rules of the Games?
Keep your language simple so that it's easy to understand. But when it comes to card games, teaching the rules is best done by doing. Once you've explained the rules, do a test round to guide your child and check if he or she understands how the game is played.
More Tips From Och Gonzalez
See Och Gonzalez' Recommended Card Games for Kids Below!
Aside from our top 10 list, our featured expert Och Gonzalez also has recommendations for card games for kids. They will indeed stimulate the senses, thinking, and can also get you moving! Browse them right down below!
More Fun Activities for Your Little One
Playing card games is just one way to interact and have fun with the kids. Browse our other articles for more ideas about stay-at-home activities like puzzles, board games, and coloring books. You can also purchase a play tent and a play kitchen set for role-playing activities so your kids can play and learn with other children.
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Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Re-editor: Patricia Catimpo
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Card Games for Kids
No. 1: Mattel｜Uno Cards
No. 2: Dolphin Hat Games｜Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
No. 3: Hasbro｜Monopoly Bid
No. 4: Zygomatic｜Spot It! Card Game
No. 5: PlayMonster LCC｜5 Second Rule Card Game
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Most ViewedFeatured Rankings Similar to Card games for kids
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