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A collection of short videos on drawing.

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drawing Archives | The Kid Should See This

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MakerEd, who Boulder Public Library’s BLDG 61 has collaborated with for several years, are producing a weekly series called Learning in the Making designed to support educators and families with accessible hands-on learning experiments.

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While today's educational landscape looks much different than last month's, or even last week's, Maker Ed still believes that hands-on making is a vehicle for profound learning, community care, and joy -yes , even during a pandemic. Below are some of the direct ways we are supporting educators and families to navigate new terrains of remote making and learning.

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Remote Education and Learning in the Making

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While today's educational landscape looks much different than last month's, or even last week's, Maker Ed still believes that hands-on making is a vehicle for profound learning, community care, and joy -yes , even during a pandemic. Below are some of the direct ways we are supporting educators and families to navigate new terrains of remote making and learning.

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What’s keeping you inspired during school and library closures? How are you coping while staying safe at home?   Entries accepted through July 31.

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Our lives have changed in a great many ways because of COVID-19. School has moved online, sporting events have been canceled, proms, graduations and other special events have all been put on hold. We are coping with COVID-19 in different ways. Making art at home is a great way to express how we're currently feeling. Whether you identify as a doodler or bona fide artist, the library wants you to submit pictures of your art and creations to Boulder Public Library's Viral Art: A VirtualExhibit. This online gallery will be accessible through the library's website. Submissions will also be shared on the library's social media accounts.

Theme:
What's keeping you inspired during school and library closures? How are you coping while staying safe at home? We want to see the art you've been making to get you through these strange and changing times.
Entries accepted through July 31. Exhibit Guidelines

Teens in grades 6-12, living in Boulder County, may participate in this art exhibit.

Only one submission per person, please.

Art submissions will be accepted in digital media, or pictures of fine art (acrylics, drawings, oils, prints, sculptures, or watercolors) and photography. If you can take a picture of it, you can submit it!

Minimum image size: 1080px X 1080px (Instagram size), may be larger.

For questions, please contact Julianne Ingram at [email protected]

Online Form

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Our lives have changed in a great many ways because of COVID-19. School has moved online, sporting events have been canceled, proms, graduations and other special events have all been put on hold. We are coping with COVID-19 in different ways. Making art at home is a great way to express how we're currently feeling.

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A pinterest board of a number of art ideas.

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Have you ever planned the best lesson in the world? It might have looked something like this: Your students are engaged in discussion, they're excited to see all the artwork shown, they're asking wonderful questions. Then, it's time to create...and they all just sit there.

The blank stares on your students' faces, might not be because they are uninspired, rather that they're overstimulated with ideas and don't know where to start. This scenario is why teaching creativity in your classroom is so important. Here's how to get started.

What is Creativity?

Let's look at the word creativity. According to Google, in its simplest form, creativity is, "the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work." Many of our students, and even adults, view creativity as an innate gift-something they are born with. However, it is a skill that can be taught. Athletes aren't born to be professional athletes; it takes discipline and practice. Creativity can be viewed in this same way.

Researcher Dr. George Land conducted a creativity test that showed creativity was highest in young children and steadily decreased into adulthood. He concluded that non-creative behavior is learned. It is our duty as art teachers to foster creativity as a skill rather than unlearning this behavior.

Let's stop looking at creativity as a noun and instead think of it as a verb. We can do this by exposing our students to activities that promote creative and divergent thinking.

5 Creativity Activities to Try with Your Students

1. Camouflage Drawing Challenge

The camouflage drawing challenge is a great exercise to foster creativity. Although students are participating in the same activity, the process of divergent thinking will emerge because none of the solutions will be the same. Start by giving each of your students a small scrap of paper with a design already drawn on it. Cut up coloring pages work great for this. Glue the scrap of paper down, and have students add their own designs. The goal of this activity is to make it challenging to find where the original design began. Starting with a small scrap of paper will lead to a new, creative design.

2. Color Mixing Challenge

Some of the best creative learning experiences come through exploration and play. Creative play occurs when students are using familiar materials in unfamiliar ways. In a middle school classroom, students are familiar with paint but might not use it playfully to explore something new. This color mixing game is the best way for students to engage in play while learning new concepts.

3. Left and Right Brain Drawing Activities

Almost every art teacher is familiar with the work by Betty Edwards, in particular, her book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. The activities in her book have continued to work in classrooms for decades. The activities Edwards presents force artists to become uncomfortable and think differently.

Drawing with your non-dominant hand.

Drawing with a material attached to the end of a ruler or long stick.

Upside down drawing.

4. Design Challenges

Solving problems is at the root of creativity. Utilizing design challenges is an apparent way to show students how different solutions can be used to solve one problem. Typically a design challenge will have a prompt or a challenge to solve. Using the materials provided, students develop a solution. Consider having students collaborate on these tasks as collaboration can be a key way to foster creativity.

5. Painting Musical Chairs Style

For many of our students, the fear of failure might inhibit their creativity. When creating, if their design doesn't turn out as they've imagined, they can feel frustration and defeat. We need to teach our students how to overcome these feelings and turn mistakes into celebrations.

One of the best ways to do this is by creating in the style of musical chairs. Any medium can work for this activity, but paint seems to work best. Students start with a blank piece of paper at their table and begin creating any artwork they want. When the timer goes off, or the music stops, students move to the next seat leaving their painting behind. They will then add onto to their neighbor's painting. Continue this process until time runs out or each student has made it around the room.

When students return to their seat, they might be thrilled or not so excited with the way their painting turned out. Use this as an opportunity to challenge your students' creative thinking to turn their artwork into the finished piece they desire.

Incorporating exercises and activities that encourage creativity will help your students develop independent, divergent thinking skills. These are key components to ensure our students don't get stuck and can continue innovating to solve problems. Try incorporating one of these activities in your art room to start fostering a creative environment for your students.
What is your favorite activity to encourage creativity? Do your students struggle with being creative?

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5 Activities to Open Your Middle Schoolers' Creative Brains - The Art of Education University

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Have you ever planned the best lesson in the world? It might have looked something like this: Your students are engaged in discussion, they're excited to see all the artwork shown, they're asking wonderful questions. Then, it's time to create...and they all just sit there.

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Some may be aimed for the younger ones, but I like the make your own jump rope & balloon tennis.

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20 hands-on activities to keep kids busy during coronavirus quarantine

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Looking for cool activities to entertain kids and get through the next few weeks? Here's 20 hands-on activities to keep kids busy

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Has some great tips to start and an embedded pinterest board.

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Cooking is one of those essential life skills for teens that they need before they move out on their own. It's not always easy cooking with middle schoolers.

If your child already loves being in the kitchen, this is easy to accomplish. But what if your teen isn't showing much interest in learning how to cook?

You may have to get creative.

This post contains affiliate links.

Ways to Start Cooking with Middle Schoolers
Build Cooking Time around a School Lesson
History and geography are ideal subjects to add in some hands-on learning activities and there's no reason why that can't include cooking.

Over the years we've learned about other cultures through geography dinners and cooked recipes from specific time periods. We've even baked chocolate chip cookies while studying famous inventors.

It's amazing how interesting cooking becomes when it's a part of school instead of just the process of making a meal. Another benefit of homeschooling!

This year we are studying American history and geography, so we've been using Eat Your Way Through the USA by Loree Pettit. It includes at least three recipes from each state. Read more about this helpful resource at Curriculum Choice.

Be their Sous Chef
While working in the kitchen, let your child be the boss. Have him give you tasks as you work through the recipes together.

By taking the lead, he'll learn more about the cooking process than if you just told him what to do. Sure, there is a learning curve and mistakes will happen, but you'll be right there to guide and educate.
Keep it Simple and Fun
If your child isn't overly excited about learning how to cook, consider having her start with a simple recipe, something involving one or two techniques. That way she won't get overwhelmed or bored. This isn't the time for a dish that takes 60 minutes to prepare.

One of my daughter's favorites was this simple Lemon Blueberry Bread. We made it after we went blueberry picking and it was an instant hit!

There are a ton of simple and delicious recipes on Pinterest, so it should be easy to choose some featuring her favorite foods. I'm frequently adding interesting tips and recipes to my Cooking with Kids Pinterest board, so make sure you're following.

Follow Education Possible's board Cooking with Kids on Pinterest.

If you'd rather use cookbooks to find your recipes, here are a few that are geared toward young teens:

Eventually, kids will going to grow up and start a life of their own. If you're able to teach them how to cook and perhaps even impart a joy about it while they're teens, they will be one step closer to being self-sufficient.

How are you teaching your young teen how to cook?

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Teaching Kids Life Skills: Cooking with Middle Schoolers

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Cooking is one of those essential life skills for teens that they need before they move out on their own. It's not always easy cooking with middle schoolers. If your child already loves being in the kitchen, this is easy to accomplish. But what if your teen isn't showing much interest in learning how to cook?

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A searchable recipe database for cooking with your middle schooler

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Recipes Hands-on Activities

Get older kids excited to help out in the kitchen with these recipe activities that are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat! From homemade sushi, healthy hamburgers, and flavorful pizza muffins to delectable cookies and dessert quesadillas, your child will learn how to balance nutrition with sweet treats as they gain invaluable culinary skills that will carry with them into adulthood.

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Get older kids excited to help out in the kitchen with these recipe activities that are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat! From homemade sushi, healthy hamburgers, and flavorful pizza muffins to delectable cookies and dessert quesadillas, your child will learn how to balance nutrition with sweet treats as they gain invaluable culinary skills that will carry with them into adulthood.

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Some great ideas here as well as links of virtual field trips.

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Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays

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You're Welcome! Here Are 125 Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained When You're Out of Ideas

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Here are 125 fun things to do with your family. These kid ideas and fun activities for kids stuck at home will help you all avoid cabin fever.

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LA Times Ten Things to Do to Maintain Sanity

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LA Times Ten Things to Do to Maintain Sanity

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Some good ideas here

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On the last day of classes, my kids came home with packets for three weeks of schoolwork and lesson plans their teachers miraculously put together in a matter of days. That gets us through early April, when spring break was supposed to start. The LAUSD schools they attend haven't implemented virtual learning yet, so it's on us as parents to make sure it all gets done. Eventually. I set up an hourly schedule as a guide to what academics they should be doing, when we'll eat lunch, when they can work on art projects, when they can play video games, etc. Then I gave each kid a copy to refer to throughout the day. I also added a note that reads, "This schedule is flexible and we will make adjustments." If they want to flip their grammar workbook time with their typing program, fine. If a math problem is frustrating and I'm trying to finish writing an article (like this one!), we'll get to it later. If they want to spend more time reading, go for it.

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10 things I'm doing with my kids to preserve my sanity - and theirs

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On the last day of classes, my kids came home with packets for three weeks of schoolwork and lesson plans their teachers miraculously put together in a matter of days. That gets us through early April, when spring break was supposed to start.

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So you have a beautiful deck of custom playing cards. Now what? You can certainly put it quietly and safely on your display shelf, occasionally looking at it out of the corner of your eye to remind you that it is really yours, give an admiring glance at the exquisite tuck case, and get a fuzzy feeling inside knowing that it contains some wonderful cards within. You can even take out the cards from time to time, to feel their embossed and papery touch in your hand, and remind them that they are loved. And maybe you can even take them for an occasional spin with some high flying cardistry magic, or use them for some card magic.

But one of the best ways to enjoy a wonderful custom deck is by using it for a card game. That way you actually get to use the deck, and others get to enjoy it too. And during moments of down time, when you are staring at a hand of cards, you can savour the stunning artwork and just enjoy the creativity. But what card games should you play? Most people have learned a handful of card games at best, but the truth is that there is just a whole world of wonderful card games out there, just waiting to be discovered and explored. I have a large collection of other modern games, but over the years I have learned a lot of card games with a traditional deck, and I find myself often coming back to them - especially when I have a custom deck in my hands!

So here is a list of some of my favourite traditional games with standard playing cards, arranged alphabetically, and grouped roughly according to their primary suitability for adults or children. Included at the end of the list is a section with books about games with playing cards that I own and can recommend, along with links to some other resources. Each game also notes its suitability according to the number of players. It is worth noting that several games are excellent for just two players.

Although some more recently invented games are included, for the most part the emphasis of this list is on traditional card games that have stood the test of time in some way, and we are not concerned here with using a standard deck to play modern games. Obviously there are many other games that can be played with a standard deck of cards besides the ones included here. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but just represents the ones are most well-known, and for the most part are games that I have personally tried and enjoyed, or ones that I know are good classics that are worthwhile learning. I hope this will encourage you to stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone, and that you will take the time to learn and explore some new territory. Believe me, it is really worth it, because there are some truly fantastic games here!

Each game has a direct link to where you can find the rules on Pagat.com, which is the most authoritative and comprehensive website with rules for card games.

Social and Family Games

This category is somewhat arbitrary in that some of the card games in the other categories can also be enjoyed socially or with children, and the games in this category are certainly not just for children. But if I was looking for a fun and lighter game that is easy to learn and play, these are all excellent choices.

(2-12 players) - A popular and casual/social card game, also known as "Scat", "Thirty-One", "Ride the Bus", and "Blitz". By drawing and discarding a card each turn, the aim is to try to improve your three card hand to have the closest to 31 points in one suit.

(3-13 players) - Also called "I Doubt It" or "Bullsh**", this is a game many children have played. The aim is to be the first to get rid of all your cards, and you can bluff about what cards you are playing on a turn, but if you get challenged and caught out you have to pick up the entire pile.

Egyptian Ratscrew (2-6 players) - This is a quick-slapping game that is like Slap Jack on steroids, and has been published commercially under the name Slamwich.

(3-6 players) - Also known as "Sevens", "Domino", "Parliament", and "Pay or Play". In turns players play a card to a common layout, which will begin with sevens as the foundation for each suit. Once a seven is played, you can build up or down on that suit, with the aim to be the first to play all your cards.

( 2-6 players ) - A great casual game for two players that also works with 3 or more. There are many variations, the most common one being six card Golf, where everyone has a 3x2 grid of cards worth varying points, that you try to improve. Just like in real golf, the goal is to get the lowest score possible over nine holes or hands.

(2 players) - A simple and quick bidding/bluffing game for two players. The Diamonds are point cards corresponding to their value, and revealed one at a time in random order. Players each get an entire suit as their hand (Clubs or Spades), and play a card of their choice, with the revealed point card going to the higher played card. GOPS is an acronym for "Game Of Pure Strategy", since there is zero luck.

Knock Out Whist (2-7 players) - Also called "Trumps", this is a simplified version of Whist, where the aim is to avoid elimination after each hand by winning at least one trick. The first hand has seven tricks, and it becomes harder to stay in the game because each successive hand has one less trick. A perfect game to introduce people to trick-taking.

(2-7 players) - This game has especially been popular in college and university crowds since the 1960s, and the aim is not just to win but to have fun. Essentially it is a Crazy Eights variant with special additions, but the rules may not be discussed; new players are expected to try to figure out the rules by observing a game and by trial and error. Theoretically there are overtones of Mornington Crescent, Fizzbin, and Calvinball, but Mao is actually a playable game.

(2-6 players) - Also called "Sh**head", "Karma" or "Idiot". A very light casual game, where the aim is to avoid being last to get rid of your cards. Players each have a row of three face down cards, a row of three face up cards covering these, and a hand of three cards. On your turn you play cards equal or higher than the card on the discard pile, otherwise you pick up the entire pile.

(3-16 players) - Classically known as "Chairman," "Scum," or "A**hole", and fun for groups, this is an easy introduction to the family of climbing games. The aim is to get rid of cards as soon as possible, and you must play at least as many cards as the previous player, but with higher values. Depending on the order in which players go out, a new hierarchy of players is established. A variation of this was published commercially as The Great Dalmuti. For more advanced climbing games, see Big Two later on this list.

Ranter-Go-Round (3-12 players) - This is also known as "Screw Your Neighbor", "Chase The Ace" or "Cuckoo", with slight variations. A simple game of passing cards around, with a high luck element, the player with the lowest card at the end loses a chip, and the aim is to avoid being eliminated by losing your chips.

(2-6 players) - A classic card game, in which players draw and discard cards, trying to get "melds" that typically consist of sets of the same values or runs of consecutive values. Many variants exist, including Gin Rummy, which is an excellent game and appears later on this list, as well as some commercially published games like the Mystery Rummy series. Contract Rummy (3-5 players) also developed from Rummy, and adds the complication that in each round players have to fulfil a different contract, which is a fixed combination of sets or runs, that they must have before they can meld. A version of Contract Rummy was published commercially under the name Phase Ten.

(2-6 players) - A fascinating classic Italian card game that is especially good for two players, and for four players as a partnership game called Scopone. Players are using cards in their hand to "capture" point-scoring cards from a common pool, with captured cards matching or adding up to the value of the card played from hand. Also recommended is (3-4 players), which is the Spanish name for the Scopa di Quindici variant common in Brazil, in which you capture cards that add to a total of 15 by including a card from your hand. Closely related to Scopa is Casino, which has gives some added options for play, and appears later on this list.

(2-4 players) - Also called "Spit", this a high speed game similar in style to Nertz (see later on this list), but slightly easier and more suitable for children. The aim is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by simultaneously and quickly playing cards of higher or lower value to a common stock.

(2-8 players) - A hilarious game for kids or large groups, also known as "Pig" or "Donkey". Players have four cards and simultaneously pass a card to the left, trying to get a set of four matching cards, at which point they take a spoon from the center, which is the signal for everyone to grab a spoon - but there is one less spoon available than the number of players! " My Ship Sails" is a variation that has the aim to collect seven cards of the same suit.

Trick-Taking Games

Trick taking games are one of the most common types of card games, and classics like Hearts and Spades are good examples. It is a game where players all have a hand of cards, and game-play revolves around a series of "tricks", in which each trick involves everyone playing one card from their hand, with the trick typically going to the person who played the highest card. If you have never played a trick-taking game before, I suggest you start with Knock Out Whist, which was listed in the previous category, and is an excellent and fun way to get introduced to this style of game.

500 (4 players) - The national card game of Australia. A skilful trick-taking game where players bid for the number of tricks they think their partnership can win. The winning bidder is allowed to exchange several cards, and select the trump. There is much to love: the trick-taking; the bidding and selecting trump; the exchanging with the kitty to manipulate your hand; the playing in partnerships. A variant for three players also exists.

(2 players) - A classic trick-taker for two players that originated in France, was very popular in the early 20th century, and has some similarities to the two player version of the American game Pinochle.

Bridge (4 players) - The ultimate classic among trick-taking card games. It is played in partnerships, and gives much room for much skilful play. Contract Bridge is often played in organized club settings, and the bidding and game-play has an extensive series of conventions that can take some time to learn in order to play well.

(2-6 players) - An Italian trick-taking game that is quite easy to learn and play especially as a two player game. Using just 40 cards, the aim is play tricks from your hand of three in order to win point scoring cards. Apparently this is especially good with the five player Briscola Chiamata variant.

(4 players) - Extremely popular as a social game in parts of Canada and the USA, Euchre can especially be fun when played in a casual tournament setting. Just 25 cards are used, with the Jacks being powerful "bowers". One partnership is trying to win the most tricks from a five card hand, with trump determined by a turned up card. (2 players) is an excellent trick-taking game that is very similar to Euchre, but better suited for a two player game.

German Whist (2 players) - An excellent Whist style game for two players. Each player has a hand of 13 cards, and the first phase involves each person playing a card in order to compete for the face up card from the top of the stock (the very first card shown is the trump suit); the winner gets that card, the loser gets the next face-down card. When the stock is gone, you play out your remaining 13 cards, and the player winning the most tricks is the winner.

Hearts (3-7 players) - One of the all time classic trick-taking games, where the aim is to avoid taking tricks with Hearts, since these are minus points, while the Queen of Spades is a whopping 13 minus points. There is no trump suit.

(2-4 players) - The national Swiss game, playable with two players or in partnerships. This is part of the Jass family which originated in the Netherlands. The wider family includes Belote (French), Klabberjass/Clob (German), and Klaverjassen (Dutch). The Swiss Jass is somewhat similar to Bezique and Pinochle.

(2 players) - This out-of-the-ordinary betting/bluffing/trick-taking game is a 19th century French game using a 32 card deck, and was especially popularized after inclusion in Sid Sackson's Gamut of Games. A brilliant bluffing game where you use a hand of three cards to play only three tricks, but can increase the value of a hand throughout the game, to bluff and cause your opponent to fold. Be aware of some rule variations. Both the French Le Truc and the Spanish Truc (which has 2 player partnerships) are derived from the older English game (2 players), which is a simpler two player bluffing game that I can also recommend.

Ninety-Nine (3 players) - This original game by David Parlett is regarded as one of the very best trick-taking games for exactly 3 players. Only 36 cards are used, and from a hand of 12 players lay aside three cards that represent the number of their bid, and play out the remaining 9 cards in tricks, trying to win exactly the number of tricks corresponding to their bid.

Oh Hell (3-7 players) - This goes under many names, including Up and Down the River, Bust, Estimation, and some less savoury titles that are variations on Oh ****. A great trick taking game where you bid how many tricks you can win, while the hand size increases or decreases each round. The game enables considerable skill, because even with bad cards you score if you bid correctly. Numerous scoring variants exist, one being published commercially under the name Wizard.

Pinochle (4 players) - A popular and classic American trick-taking game for partnerships that uses an 80 card deck. Gameplay starts with an auction in which players bid how many points their team will win, with highest bidder picking trump. Each player gets a hand of 20 cards, and individual cards are worth points, as well as combinations of cards in hand (melds). A two-player variant of Pinochle using a single-deck also exists.

Piquet (2 players) - This classic game has a very long history going back several centuries. It is demanding since it has some old-fashioned complications, but is still popular, and regarded as one of the all-time best and most skilful card games for just two players.

Pitch (4 players) - Derived from the old English game All Fours, this game has especially been popular in parts of the USA, and there are many variations. Typically played in partnerships, it begins with a bidding round after players each are dealt six cards, and bid for many of the following four items they think they will have at the end of a hand: High trump, trick with low trump, trick with Jack of trumps, and highest total point value.

(4 players) - Rook is a terrific partnership trick taking game with bidding that was even published commercially under that name with a special deck. The aim is to win tricks with point cards (e.g. the Rook=Joker card is worth 20 points), rather than the maximum number of tricks. The highest bidder has choice of trump, and can exchange with the "nest/kitty" in order to improve their hand. Several good variations exist, and in parts of Canada one of them is played under the name (in French: Deux Cents).

(2 players) - Popular in many parts of Europe, Schnapsen is the national card game of Austria, and is a classic trick-taking card game for two players with a long history, and allows for genuinely skilful and clever play. Played with a small deck, one of its peculiarities is how points are scored for "marriages" (King-Queen couples). For a comprehensive look at the difference between the closely related , and common Schnapsen rule variations, see here and here.

(3 players) - This classic trick-taking game is the national card game of Germany. It features complex scoring and bidding, but is one of the best card games for three players. A similar game with simpler bidding and scoring rules is Schafkopf, which was been Americanized and popularized by immigrants to the USA as Sheepshead. Also related is the demanding Doppelkopf (i.e. Double Sheepshead).

Spades (4 players) - One of the better trick taking games for partnerships, and another classic after being invented and popularized in the USA in the 1930s. Spades are always the trumps, and players bid how many tricks they think they will win in advance. Although the bidding and scoring is not the easiest if you are new to trick-taking games, it is a game that allows for more skill than casual games like euchre.

(4 players) - A simple but classic trick-taking card game from which many others are derived. Played in partnerships, there is no trump, and teams try to win the most tricks as they play out a full hand of 13 cards. Good variations include titles elsewhere on this list, like German Whist (2 players) and Knock Out Whist (3-7 players).

Non Trick-Taking Games

Trick taking games are arguably one of the most popular and common types of card games, which is why they were listed as a separate category. But there are certainly a large number of other fantastic card games as well. Most of the games listed in the "Social and Family Games" category were also non tricking-taking games, but the games listed below tend to be a little more thoughtful and involved.

(4 players) - Best with four players (although variants for 2-3 players exist), this along with President (which appears earlier on this list) represents one of the more accessible and well-known climbing games. With the climbing genre, the idea is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards, playing cards individually or in special combinations. For a slightly easier climbing game than Big Two, consider Tien Len, which is the national card game of Vietnam. One of the most popular climbing games of all times is Tichu, which was published commercially with a special deck.

(4 players) - A game that became extremely popular in the 1950s, Canasta uses two standard decks, and is best in two-player partnerships. It is a rummy style of game in which the aim is to make melds of seven cards of the same value, and "go out" by playing your entire hand. There are also several variants, such as the popular Hand and Foot.

(2-4 players) - This classic card game is a "fishing" game that has some parallels to the simpler Scopa (see earlier on this list), and the Anglo-American version is especially popular. Players capture face-up cards in a common pool by playing matching cards from their hand, either individually or a number of cards that adds to a total equalling the card played from hand. Unlike Scopa, players have more options, and can also build cards together for later, which adds a more tactical element.

Cribbage (2 players) - A classic card name based on card combinations worth points, with the aim of being first to 121 points, scored by pegging on a board. Players each get a hand of six cards, and must set aside two to a "crib" which will later score for one of the two players. Cards are played in turns, adding their values together until you reach or near 31, and then this is repeated. Players score for combinations like cards that add to 15, pairs/triples, or runs, and also score for their hand at the end. Despite the casual feel, there is considerable skill, and experienced players will consistently outperform novices. Requires decision making for selecting cards for the crib, and which order to play the cards in hand. Even children will enjoy finding the point scoring combinations, while the imbalance/asymmetry of each game turn makes it especially interesting.

Eleusis (4-8 players) - A modern card game simulating scientific research, as players ("scientists") conduct experiments to determine the rule governing play. Players try to get rid of cards by discarding them, but the "rule" that allows legal play is invented by the dealer and is unknown to the players, and they must try to figure out the rule by deducing it from legal plays.

(2 players) - Derived from Rummy (see earlier on this list), Gin Rummy is a "knocking game" that differs from Rummy in that melds are kept in hand until the end of a deal. It is an excellent and time-tested two player game.

Nertz (2-6 players) - Also known as "Racing Demon" or "Pounce", Nertz is a competitive multi-player solitaire that is played in real time. The aim is to be the first to get rid of cards from your Nertz piles by building upwards on common foundations. It is basically the same game as the commercially available Ligretto/Dutch Blitz, but played with a standard deck.

Poker (2-10 players) - This is considered the ultimate bluffing game, and No Limit Texas Hold 'Em has been popularized with the help of television and local tournaments. Players "bet" chips on whether or not they have the best five card poker hand. Many say it is only fun when played for money, suggesting that the thrill is in the gambling rather than the game-play. Even if you do not play for money, you do have to approach the game semi-seriously for it to be fun, otherwise it is too easy for someone to play foolishly and hand another player the game. A must for those who enjoy bluffing.

Spite & Malice (2-5 players) - Also known as "Cat & Mouse", this is a competitive patience/solitaire game for two or more players that uses two decks, and is better known to most people under its commercially produced variation, Skip-Bo. Unlike Speed and Nertz, it is not played simultaneously in real time, because players take turns, but the overall concept is somewhat similar.

(2 players) - This is an obscure Victorian card game that revived in popularity as a result of Sid Sackson's A Gamut of Games. David Parlett recommends it as an out-of-the-ordinary card game that is "long and savory". It is played with a 65-card deck (52 cards plus an additional two through Ace in one suit), and each player's objective is to reach a certain number of points scored by discarding assemblies, completing tricks, setting up marriages, or revealing flushes and sequences. Also playable with four or six players in partnerships.

Recommendations

So where should you start? Hopefully some of the descriptions I have provided will intrigue you enough to give a particular game a shot, or look into it further. But often games will depend on who you are playing with, the number of players you have, and the kind of game you are looking for. So to help you branch out beyond the repertoire that you might already be familiar with, here are some recommendations for games that I especially suggest for different situations.
Are you looking for...
- a game for just two players? GOPS and Scopa are two simpler games that are quite rewarding. If you want a trick-taking game for just two, then Briscola and German Whist are both straight forward and good choices, while Le Truc is fantastic for those who like bluffing, and Schnapsen is worth the effort to learn if you enjoy skilful play. Cribbage and Gin Rummy are two non trick-taking classics that are every bit as good today as they have always been.

- a game for four-players in partnerships? There are several good trick-taking games to choose from in this category, and while the ever-popular Bridge is good, the learning curve can be steep. I recommend starting with a simpler game like Euchre or Whist, or else something that involves more skill, like 500, Rook, or Spades, which incorporate the fun of bidding and give opportunity for a winning bidder to strengthen their hand.

- a trick-taking game for an odd number of players? Ninety-Nine is the best trick-taker that plays with exactly three players. Hearts and Oh Hell can both handle various player counts, and are very good; if you enjoy bidding for how many tricks you think you will win then Oh Hell is an absolute must.

- a light social game for a larger group? Try the classic climbing game President, the almost brainless Ranter-Go-Round, or the frenzy of Spoons, all of which are easy to learn and don not require too much brain power. Blitz and Cheat are also good choices for fun social games that can work with more than four players.

- a game that is fast-paced? Try the craziness of two player Speed/Spit, or else ramp up the difficulty slightly with the frantic game-play of the popular Nertz, both of which have simultaneous real-time game-play. Egyptian Ratscrew also requires quick reactions and speed.

- a game that is unusual and out-of-the-ordinary? Try the logical deduction required by the clever and inventive Eleusis, or the long and savoury gameplay of Zetema.

- a game for older children? Most of the games in the "Social and Family Games" category will work, but fun games that I have had good success with in playing with children include Cheat, Fan Tan, Knock Out Whist (which also serves as a good introduction to trick-taking), Palace, Speed, and Spoons. If they can handle the scoring system, Scopa is definitely a rewarding game that older children can enjoy, and the partnership game Scopone is particularly good. GOPS produces an excellent head-to-head battle-of-wits for just two, and so does Golf.

- a game for younger children? There's a number of classic and very simple games not included on this list, such as Beggar My Neighbour (2-3 players), Crazy Eights (2-7 players), Go Fish (2-6 players), Old Maid (2-12 players), Slap Jack (2-8 players), Snap (2-4 players), and War (2 players). Be aware that some games like Beggar My Neighbour and also War involve no decisions and are a matter of pure luck!

Solitaire Games

But what about if you have nobody to play with? The good news is that there is a wide range of excellent solitaire card games, a category sometimes referred to with the catch-all "Patience". Patience or Solitaire games are especially popular due to the fact that many of them come pre-installed on personal computer operating systems. Some solitaire games come down to pure luck, but there are many excellent ones that require genuine skill, and can be a very rewarding challenge to play.

Rules: Fortunately you can learn many solitaire games with the help of free apps, or the many websites that offer these games to play for free. You will find lots of resources online that will teach you rules for different games, and a good place to begin is the Wikipedia page which lists solitaire games. Also check Polymorphic Solitaire, Pretty Good Solitaire, and Solitaire Network, which all have extensive lists of solitaire games, rules for each, and free online play.

Recommendations: There are different types of solitaire games, and here are some of the better and more popular ones I can recommend, grouped according to different categories:
Adding and pairing types: Golf, Monte Carlo, Pyramid
Non-builder types: Clock Patience, Grandfather's Clock, Accordion
Fan types: La Belle Lucie, The Fan, Super Flower Garden, Shamrocks, Bristol
Builder types: Baker's Dozen, Beleaguered Castle, Canfield, Forty Thieves, Freecell, Klondike, Miss Milligan, Russian Solitaire, Scorpion, Spider, Yukon
Other types: Aces Up, Calculation
Thematic: I also highly recommend Bowling Solitaire by genius game designer Sid Sackson. It is entirely unlike all the other solitaire games mentioned, but is an incredibly thematic and clever game.

Apps: There are some fantastic apps available for free which have a wide range of solitaire games. Of the ones I have tried, I can especially recommend Full Deck Solitaire (by GRL Games), Solebon Solitaire (by Solebon LLC), and Solitaire City (by Digital Smoke LLC). Of course you do not want to only play using apps, but these will help you learn the rules, and then you can pull out your actual deck of cards and have fun playing with them!

Other Ideas

This article should get you well on your way to playing some fun card games. But if you are interested in exploring the world of card games further, there is certainly a lot more you can do. So here are some ideas for further expanding your horizons, learning more about the great card games that are out there, and even options for playing them when you have nobody else around to play with.

Get a book: There are some fantastic books with rules to all the classic card games. You will need some way to learn how to play a new game, and resolve those inevitable rules arguments that might arise. Having a reliable book is something you can take with you when you are on the go. Here are two of the best:
● The Penguin Book of Card Games - Also published under the title The Penguin Encyclopedia of Card Games, this book by David Parlett is easily the most comprehensive book in the English language with standard card games. If you are looking to discover new games, or find rules to lots of different games, this is the best book to get.
● Hoyle's Rules of Games - An authoritative and standard text on classic card games. I personally own the Third Revised edition (Philip D. Morehead), and have used it often, although it is not as exhaustive as David Parlett's book, so it can happen that the card game of your choice is not included. But the section on card games is very useful, especially the contents pages which categorizes the games by suitability for adults/children and by number of players; plus it has rules to other classic games as well. This book and a deck of playing cards is all you need to take along on a vacation!

Check online resources: There are some terrific resources online about traditional card games. Pagat.com is easily the most authoritative and best when it comes to rules, but there are certainly other places that are helpful as well. Suggestions to get you started:
● Pagat.com - John McLeod's award-winning site is considered to be the most exhaustive website with rules for different card games played with a standard deck. An outstanding and useful resource.
● BicycleCards.com - Bicycle's official website has their official rules for many different card games. It also has a helpful search function that allows you to find a suitable card game based on the number of players, who is playing, and type of game.
● BoardGameGeek.com - BoardGameGeek.com is the world's largest community of boardgamers. This page lists a number of games that can be played with a standard deck of playing cards, and gives some other links to their site. Also check their family page for traditional card games for more.
● Poker Suite - Cheapass Games offers a free download of the rules PDF for their Poker Suite, which is a collection of 14 original games that is well worth looking at.
● Femtitvå - Scott Huntington's free collection of 10 clever card games is inspired by modern games like Ticket to Ride and 7 Wonders.
● Isaludo - A set of ten modern card games designed to be played solitaire, created by hobbyist gamer Wilhelm Su from the Philippines.

Play using an app: If you are not quite sure on the rules of how to play a specific card game mentioned above, there are plenty of apps available that will help you with that. The ideal way to learn a game is to have someone teach you, but an app is a fantastic second best, because it will enforce the rules. Many of them also include tutorials. There are quite a few software programs for card games that are readily available as well - most versions of Windows will come with Hearts and Spades, and some solitaire games too. Here are some good free apps for iOS for some of the games listed above; I've personally used, enjoyed, and can recommend all of these: Cribbage Craze (Cribbage) by Tim Eakins, Thirty One Rummy (Blitz) by North Sky Games, Briscola Pro (Briscola) by Appsmob, Scopa Dal Negro (Scopa) by Digitalmoka Sri, Master Schnapsen/66 Lite (Schnapsen) by Psellos, Truco Argentina (Le Truc) by Jaime Garcia Ghirelli. There is also a great free app called Bicycle How To Play by United States Playing Card Company. You cannot play any games with this app, but it comes with rules for many of the most popular card games, so it functions as a digital document you can use on the fly to find the rules you need.

Play online: Playing with an app that incorporates multiplayer games is one way to play online, but there are also websites dedicated to this purpose as well. This is not something I have tried much myself, but here are a few that you can start with: cardgames.io, worldofcardgames.com, trickstercards.com, and cardzmania.com.

Ask family and friends: Many families have their household favourites. Perhaps some of your friends know some great card games that they would just love to teach you! A night playing card games with family or friends makes for a relaxing social evening, and is a great way to spend time together.

So dust off that custom deck that is looking down at you expectantly from the shelf, invite over some family or friends, and get those playing cards to the table. Enjoy your deck and discover the fun that playing card games has been bringing people around the world for centuries!

Do you ever play card games? Which games do you play most? What do you think of the listed games?

About the writer: EndersGameis a well-known and highly respected reviewer of board games and playing cards. He loves card games, card magic, cardistry, and card collecting, and has reviewed several hundred boardgames and hundreds of different decks of playing cards. You can see a complete list of his game reviewshere, and his playing card reviewshere. He is considered an authority on playing cards and has written extensively about their design, history, and function, and has many contacts within the playing card and board game industries. You can view his previous articles about playing cardshere. In his spare time he also volunteers with local youth to teach them the art of cardistry and card magic.

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by BoardGameGeek reviewer EndersGame So you have a beautiful deck of custom playing cards. Now what? You can certainly put it quietly and safely on your display shelf, occasionally looking at it out of the corner of your eye to remind you that it is really yours, give an admiring glance at the exquisite tuck case, and get a fuzzy feeling inside knowing that it contains some wonderful cards within.

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Some of these require a download while others are low-tech.

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No matter where you are in your social distancing journey, we can all agree: Few things sound better than a night with friends or family doing absolutely anything but scrolling through Netflix for the millionth time. Thankfully, you can throw a virtual game night this weekend-the world is your app store, and a entertaining evening is only a FaceTime or Zoom call away.

Now I understand not everyone (or everyone's family and friends) are super tech-savvy, so I've broken down these nine games ahead into three different categories 1) for online gaming beginners; 2) family-appropriate games for every age; and 3) for your friends' eyes and ears only.

Let the games begin!

When the Gang's All Together Again

'Mario Kart Tour'

It's the game that has surpassed generations of technological advances, and it's finally made it to the final boss of them all-your phone! Yes, your favorite game as a child, teen, and young adult has made it to the screen you cherish the most. Race up against seven other players (as long as they're in-game friends). The game rings up to $5 a month, but to me, that's just another vanilla iced latte I would've grabbed on the way to work.

DOWNLOAD IT

'Heads Up! on Houseparty'

You may recognize this guessing game from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where a contestant has a limited amount of time to guess the hidden word that's on their phone that they are holding to their forehead from the clues their friend gives them. Now, since the universe loves us, it's available on the video chat app Houseparty. It's all the fun, but without leaving your couch.

DOWNLOAD IT

'Drawful 2'

It's time to put your friends to the (creative) test. Drawful 2 is like the same concept of drawings games you loved as a kid like Pictionary, but with a weird twist. You'll illustrate everything from a "Smelly CEO" to a "Shaved Bear." Then your friends will type in what they think the drawing is, and those will become the multiple-choice wrong answers. Then everyone, and whoever else is online worldwide, will try to guess the answer. Get ready to laugh really hard.
DOWNLOAD IT
When Mom and Dad Are Online

'Words with Friends'

Forget Scrabble and bring your parents up to speed with the fun that is Words with Friends. It's all of the fun of the timeless word game, but you can catch people more easily if they're trying to get away playing a word that's definitely not in the dictionary (I see you, Dad). You can currently only play two-player games, but don't let that stop you.
DOWNLOAD IT
'Exploding Kittens'

My mother got me into this odd but super fun game, and it's been a staple for our family games night ever since. When I discovered this game had an equally-fun app, I knew I had to spread the word. It's a feline-themed version of Russian Roulette where you draw cards that help you stay in the game, all while avoiding the wrath of pulling the Exploding Kitten card from the pile.
DOWNLOAD IT
'Monopoly'

It's the classic board game you love, but now it's digital. See who can own the most property in Atlantic City with four other family members in the online multiplayer version. You can even create a custom game with your family's favorite house rules, so it's like you never left your kitchen table.
DOWNLOAD IT
When You're Playing with Newbies

'Charades'

Self-explanatory, so I'll keep it brief. Charades is a game of guessing a word your team member is acting out from a pile of suggestions that they randomly picked. Whoever guesses the most words correctly wins. In a perfect world, only two people would be in on the FaceTime/Zoom call acting as the liaison for each team, but it's okay if that doesn't happen here.

'Would You Rather'

Settle ongoing debates for good-like, Coke vs. Pepsi. Or, if you're feeling really creative (and there are kids in the chat), pitch ideas like: Would you rather be able to fly or read minds? It's the chameleon of games and can morph for all ages. Best of all? Everyone's a winner!

'20 Questions'

Forget the game you spent as a teenager texting your crush, and look at it with a 2020 lens. Pick an object, famous person, place, etc. and have people ask up to 20 questions about what you are. It's super easy and requires no planning before getting on FaceTime.

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How to Throw a Virtual Game Night This Weekend

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No matter where you are in your social distancing journey, we can all agree: Few things sound better than a night with friends or family doing absolutely anything but scrolling through Netflix for the millionth time. Thankfully, you can throw a virtual game night this weekend-the world is your app store, and a entertaining evening is only a FaceTime or Zoom call away.