There are so many educational card games out there that you can consider adding to your educational games collection, but this list includes my very favorites. Use these learning card games to reinforce important concepts and lessons.
Whether you’re looking for a card game to use in the classroom, card games to use in your homeschool, or just a fun family game night activity, this list of learning card games is sure to get you started on the right track.
The list is organized by age group so go through and pick out the games that best fit your group. Then it’s just a matter of picking a game (or two) that teaches the concepts you are trying to teach.
Remember, don’t feel locked into the recommended age ranges. Many of these games can easily be overlapped for older and younger kids as well.
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Why Card Games?
Game night is the kind of pastime that is hard to beat. Card games bring the family together and can entertain you for hours. And if you and the kids are able to learn something new along the way, then what else could you possibly ask for?
Card games are a great option because they are compact and there aren’t any small pieces that can get lost or destroyed. Card games also tend to be a lot more affordable than bigger board games.
If you’re low on space or cash, educational card games are going to be a great option. Travel with them or stash them on your game shelf until your next game night. You can even use learning card games like these in your classroom.
We understand that it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the wide choice of various games nowadays. To make things a bit easier for you, we have come up with a list of 16+ awesome educational card games that will turn the learning process into a fun journey.
Educational Card Games for Preschoolers (ages: 3-5)
These card games are perfect for the littlest gamers. Preschool and Kindergarteners will love learning with these fun card games.
The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Card Game
Number of players: 2 players and a dealer
Average playtime: 10 minutes
Concepts Learns From The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Card Game
- Sorting
- Matching
- Color Recognition
- Problem Solving
The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Card Game is a fast-play preschool color game that might be suitable for 2-year-olds as well.
In this game, the dealer turns the cards over. Those might be either ‘snacky’ or ‘sneaky’. If a snacky card is chosen, nothing happens and play resumes. If a sneaky card is chosen, players must quickly take an acorn card with a matching color.
The game develops sorting, matching, and encourages color learning.
Bear in mind that the one who first slaps the card gets it. Some players might accidentally slap the hands of the opponent.
Go Fish
Number of players: 3-6
Concepts Learned in Go Fish
- Taking Turns
- Matching
- Critical Thinking
- Cooperation
- Number Recognition
- Fish Names
There are many versions of Go Fish available these days, but this one on Amazon is inexpensive and has bright, cute pictures.
Go Fish is a stress-free card game that can be played in various ways. One option is getting pairs and matching sets of two. Another option for more advanced players is getting entire books of four rather than stopping at two.
The child gets to practice math (number reading from 1 to 12) and learn the names of the sea creatures along the way.
Hint: If the child doesn’t know the numbers yet, he can still play the game and use the colorful creatures to differentiate the cards.
Old Maid
Number of players: 2-8
Concepts Learned from Old Maid
- Matching
- Strategy
- Critical Thinking
- Turn Taking
Old Maid is another game that allows for multiple versions of play. This particular version includes large and colorful cards that are easier for little hands to hold.
In Old Maid, the basic concept is similar to Go Fish. You’ll draw cards until you get matches or pairs and then you’ll set those pairs down. The catch is you can’t win with the Old Maid card. The player with the most pairs wins but whoever has the Old Maid card can’t go out until another player takes the card. It’s a combination of strategy and luck!
Educational Card Games for Elementary Kids (ages: 6-10)
Elementary students between the ages of 6 and 10 years old will love these fun educational card games.
Sleeping Queens
Number of players: 2-5
Average playtime: 15 minutes
Concepts Learned from Sleeping Queens
- Strategy
- Counting
- Basic Math
The queens have fallen under the sleeping spell and it’s up to the players to wake them up. The one who gets the most queens will win. There are different card combinations that can be used to wake up the lady or steal her from another player.
The game teaches strategy and basic math skills. It includes numbers from 1 to 9, so some kids might need assistance from an adult to perform mental arithmetic.
Hint: the special tin box version has more cards.
Math Rush
Number of players: 1-5
Average playtime: 15 minutes
Concepts Learned from Math Rush
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Speed Math
- Basic Math Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
- STEAM
- Cooperation
- Sequencing
Math Rush is one of our favorite math card games. It’s fast-paced and presents a challenge for older kids but can still be adapted for younger players. Even teens and adults will improve their math skills with this game.
Players work together to complete as many goals as they possibly can before the time runs out. You would have to solve different types of math equations (addition and subtraction) and then sequence them in the right order.
The time pressure and the sequencing part make this board game suitable for adults as well. Moreover, there are advanced cards and goals.
Bear in mind that a timer is not included.
You can get this game on Amazon or Genius Games. If you go to Genius Games, be sure to use the coupon code 15%OffFirstOrder to get 15% off your first order.
Virulence: An Infectious Card Game
Number of players: 2-5
Average playtime: 20 minutes
Concepts Learned from Virulence
- Science
- Biology
- Virus Structure
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Logic and Deduction
Virulence: An Infectious Card Game is the newest educational card game from the learning game company Genius Games.
Virulence is a biology card game through which players can learn about viruses (the terminology and main concepts). You will be playing as the actual virus and your aim would be to collect genomes, helicals, and so on.
It is a blind bidding game where everyone can use their bidding hands to replicate their virus or strengthen an existing one.
Hint: if you find it challenging to figure out how to play the game, watch the video instructions.
You can find this game on Amazon or on Genius Games. If you go to Genius Games, be sure to use the code 15%OffFirstOrder for 15% off your first order.
The World Game
Number of players: 2-5
Concepts Learned from The World Game
- World Geography
- Local Geography
- Flags
- Capitals
- Social Studies
- World Cultures
The award-winning world learning game gives everyone above the age of 7 the possibility to learn more about geography. That includes the basic facts about different countries (for example, where a country is located, what’s its flag and capital) and more challenging facts (like the population and neighboring countries).
You can choose one of the four challenges: continent, location, flag, and capital city. But the players always have the opportunity to update the game mode and come up with their own unique concept.
Hint: the game includes all countries and a high-quality world map that you can hang up in your house.
Wordical
Number of players: 2-8
Concepts Learned from Wordical
- Reading
- Spelling
- Critical Thinking
- Basic math
Wordical is a word game for children over the age of 8. However, middle schoolers will be able to make more complex words and have more fun while playing.
Each player has a few consonant cards. You have to roll the dice with the vowels and then come up with a word that includes the letters from your cards and the dice. The person who manages to come up with the longest word with the hardest letters wins.
The game improves spelling and math skills as you have to count the points.
Hint: To make the game more exciting, automatically give 3 points to the player that makes up a word first.
Monopoly Deal Card Game
Number of players: 2-5
Average playtime: 15 minutes
Concepts Learned from Monopoly Deal Card Game
- Strategy
- Math
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Money Handling/Money Skills
The iconic board game is now available in card form. The version is very different from Monopoly, but still teaches children more about math and finance.
You would have to think of different strategies to collect the 3 complete property sets. However, there are also plenty of surprise cards (‘just say no’, for example) that might mess up your game.
This is a great option for parents that don’t want to deal with the classic Monopoly’s small parts.
Educational Card Games for Middle Schoolers (ages: 11-13)
These educational card games are perfect for middle schoolers. Tweens and teens between the ages of 11-13 (roughly) will love (and benefit from) these learning card games.
Periodyx
Number of players: 2-10
Concepts Learned from Periodyx
- Science
- Chemistry
- Periodic Table and Elements
Periodyx is a card game that makes the periodic table sound exciting and look cool. It includes all known elements and the more you play the game, the more you learn about the elements and their location in the periodic table.
Children can build the table on their own by matching the color-coded bars on the sides of the cards. Up to 10 players can choose to battle against each other for the highest element, boiling point, and so on.
Hint: there are 10 ways to play the game. The players can either play all of them one by one or focus on a few that they like the most.
Subatomic: An Atom Building Game
Number of players: 2-4
Average playtime: 50 minutes
Concepts Learned from Subatomic
- Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Elements
Subatomic is a deck-building game that focuses on particle physics and chemistry. Players can use quarks and photons to build neutrons, electrons, and protons. Every time they build up an atom, they score points. But the player can always choose to buy stronger cards that will allow them to build more atoms later on.
All the elements found in the game are actual concepts that exist in real life.
The box includes a booklet that explains the meaning behind the cards used in the game and tells you more about the scientists mentioned in it.
Hint: get help from a famous scientist and break the standard rules of the game.
Subatomic is available on Amazon and on Genius Games. If you buy your copy on Genius Games, be sure to use the coupon code 15%OffFirstOrder for 15% off your first order.
Educational Card Games for High School Teens (ages: 14+)
High Schoolers need fun learning card games too! These educational card games are perfect for teens and adults.
Ion: A Compound Building Game
Number of players: 2-7
Average playtime: 25 minutes
Concepts Learned from Ion
- Science
- Chemistry
- Elements
- Physics
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
While this game is labeled as being appropriate for ages 8+, having personally played Ion: A Compound Building Game, I would not recommend it for anybody under the age of 14 unless they have a decent understanding of chemistry.
This compound drafting card game is about combining positive and negative ions to, ultimately, form neutral compounds. You will be building compounds that actually exist in nature, so knowing exactly what you are creating can be fun.
This is also a memory game as the players have to pass their hands of cards to the opponent and then try to recall what those were.
Hint: there are different expansions available.
Ion: A Compound Building Game is available on Amazon and on Genius Games. Use the coupon code 15%OffFirstOrder to get 15% off your first Genius Games order.
Ecosystem
Number of players: 2-6
Average playtime: 15 minutes
Concepts Learned from Ecosystem
- Science
- Biology
- Ecosystems
- Biodiversity
- STEAM
- Critical Thinking
- Strategy
Ecosystem is a card-drafting game that focuses on biology. Your main aim is to build an ecosystem by aligning animals with their habitat.
The game not only shows different animals through incredibly beautiful cards but also teaches the players about the balance of natural order. Simply draw a card, add it to your layout (ecosystem), and pass the cards to the next person.
By the way, this educational card game has great replay value, so no matter how many times you have already gotten this game off of your shelf – it will still be entertaining. We almost always begin our family or friend game nights with Ecosystem.
This game is officially recommended for high schoolers and teens but we frequently play it with our older elementary students and they love it.
Hint: you can initiate a discussion about food chains or conservation during the game.
Ecosystem is available on Amazon or Genius Games. If you buy it from Genius Games be sure to use the coupon code 15%OffFirstOrder for 15% off your first order.
Lovelace and Babbage
Number of players: 2-4
Average playtime: 20 minutes
Concepts Learned from Lovelace and Babbage
- Programming
- Arithmetic
- STEM
- Logic
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Science
- Planning/Architecture
- Strategy
The game Lovelace and Babbage features the foundations of programming and arithmetic. You can make it more competitive and use a timer that is included in the set.
To start the game, select a character and subroutine cards, each of which has a number – that’s the goal that you have to reach. Begin at number 55 and perform different math equations to reach the goal.
Hint: make the card game more interesting by learning more about the main characters (Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage).
This game is available on Amazon and Genius Games. If you choose to buy it from Genius Games, be sure to use the coupon code 15%OffFirstOrder.
Wingspan
Number of players: 1-5
Average playtime: 60 minutes
Concepts Learned from Wingspan
- Science
- Facts About Birds
- Logic
- Nature Studies
Wingspan is a card-driven board game that is all about birds. You become an ornithologist who is willing to attract the best birds to his aviary. The facts that you’ll learn include the scientific name, wingspan, nest type, and so on.
Each bird initiates a chain of different combinations. You can gain food tokens and lay eggs, for example.
The game that won the Connoisseur’s Game of the Year includes 170 mesmerizingly beautiful bird cards.
Hint: the game has a solo mode.
Chronology
Number of players: 2-8
Concepts Learned from Chronology
- History
- Critical Thinking
- Strategy
Learn more about history and what came after what. In Chronology, you have to build your own timeline and then decide where the new historical event presented by another player falls. The first person to grow a 10-card timeline wins.
The chances are that you would have to play the game hundreds of times, in order to memorize all the events. Chronology comes with 429 double-sided cards (and that’s 858 events!).
Hint: this is a US version, but you can find a UK version as well.
Bonus: Standard Card Deck Educational Games
Each of these learning games can be played with a standard deck of cards.
Crazy Eights (ages: 5+)
The main aim of the game is to get rid of all your cards.
Turn one of the cards – this is your discard pile. Each player has 5-7 cards (depends on the number of people playing). You can discard a card that matches either the suit or the number of the top card in the discard pile.
Don’t have such a card? Then pick up another one from the remaining deck.
As you might have already figured out, the eights are crazy. That means that you can put them on any suit.
The game is a fun and easy way for the kids to learn numbers and suits.
Rummy (ages: 7+)
Once again, the player who manages to get rid of all cards wins.
During the game, you have to collect ‘melds’ – sets of 3 or 4 of one kind. Each player gets 6-10 cards and the dealer then forms a stockpile. Turn the top card of the pile face up and start a second one.
Every player chooses whether to take the card from one pile or the other. If a player has collected a ‘meld’, he has to lay it down on the table face up. The opponents that have the set’s fourth card can add it to someone else’s ‘meld’.
Learning card games such as these are a fun and simple way to educate children. And as an added bonus, you’ll get to enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. What could get better than that?
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Free Printable Games
Did you know that in addition to the list of amazing games below, I’ve got a collection of free printable games?
If you like including games in your child’s studies, you need to grab this free printable collection of games.
This collection includes 11 printable games (50 pages) for your kid to enjoy, no matter where you are! Enjoy in the car, at the desk, or on the living room floor.
And the best part is these printable games are educational too!
Grab your collection of free printable games now!
Perfect for ages 3-13.
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