USE GAMES TO GET KIDS Fall in Love with Reading

USE GAMES TO GET KIDS Fall in Love with Reading

Djeco Card Games

If I'm looking for a card game for kids, I always check Djeco first. Why?

Written by

Máté Lencse

Educator, game designer,

founder of PlayWise

Why listen to him?

Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays because this is how he can best connect with many of his friends. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:

Djeco Card Games

If I'm looking for a card game for kids, I always check Djeco first. Why?

Written by

Máté Lencse

Educator, game designer,

founder of PlayWise

Why listen to him?

Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays because this is how he can best connect with many of his friends. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:

Djeco Card Games

If I'm looking for a card game for kids, I always check Djeco first. Why?

Written by

Máté Lencse

Educator, game designer,

founder of PlayWise

Why listen to him?

Máté has been regularly playing modern board games and classic abstract board games since 2013. He plays because he loves to. He plays because as an educator, it is his most important motivational and developmental tool. He plays because as a father, it is one of the highest quality times spent with his daughter. He plays because it adds to his marriage. He plays because this is how he can best connect with many of his friends. He plays to get to know games and as a game designer, to be able to create new ones. Thus, it's not surprising that he often plays through 15-20 games weekly. Learn more about him and his background on his author page or follow him on social media:

About Games

Let’s start with the fact that a board game is a product: it’s not enough for the game to be good — the product itself also needs to be well made. Djeco cards understand exactly who they’re speaking to. The boxes are uniform, clearly showing that they belong to the same brand, and the line of Djeco games always looks impressive on a store shelf. The illustrations are unique and interesting; they don’t always jump on the cuteness bandwagon. This makes it much easier for me, as an adult, to sit down and play with them. The cards are larger than average, making them easier for children to see when they hold them, and the cards are also thicker than usual, which obviously adds to their durability.
The game ideas are simple and genuinely playable from the age of 4–5. They’re not meant to revolutionize anything — and for a children’s game, that’s not the point. One or two clever rules, smooth gameplay, frustration, joy, victory, loss, cooperation. The goal is to spark emotions, keep it short, and make the rules easy for parents to grasp — which can sometimes be harder for them than for the kids, since play is no longer their natural language. In fact, let’s not just talk about parents: every game below has worked beautifully with grandparents too, as well as in school settings.

Familou

Chatty, placing, collecting cooperation.

Age, Playing Time, Players

Recommended for ages 5 and up, 15 min, 2-4 players

Tools

42 "animal families" cards + 6 "wolf" cards.

Skills

Cooperation, logical thinking, memory.

Instructions

Players work together to collect full animal families before the wolf cards run out. Talk to each other, pay attention to one another, and the wolf won’t stand a chance.

Mysterix

You’d think it’s simple and easy to remember — but your memory will only get in the way!

Age, Playing Time, Players

Recommended for ages 4 and up, 10 min, 2-5 players

Tools

54 cards (9 scenes — 6 cards per scene).

Skills

Visual perception, concentration, speed.

Instructions

You have to spot the odd one out on the flipped card as fast as you can. Fast-paced, exciting, and simple.

Note from Máté

Why is playing cards with kids such a great idea? Because it’s cool, it’s relaxed, and it easily creates a cheerful, low-stakes atmosphere where it just feels good to be together. Card games are usually based on luck — which, of course, is unpredictable — so chances are naturally balanced. No need to worry that the adult will always win, since the draw of the cards ensures variety. Shuffling, dealing, holding cards, placing, drawing, winning tricks — these all become satisfying little rituals that both parents and educators can build on when aiming to create quality shared time with children.

Note from Máté

Why is playing cards with kids such a great idea? Because it’s cool, it’s relaxed, and it easily creates a cheerful, low-stakes atmosphere where it just feels good to be together. Card games are usually based on luck — which, of course, is unpredictable — so chances are naturally balanced. No need to worry that the adult will always win, since the draw of the cards ensures variety. Shuffling, dealing, holding cards, placing, drawing, winning tricks — these all become satisfying little rituals that both parents and educators can build on when aiming to create quality shared time with children.

Note from Máté

Why is playing cards with kids such a great idea? Because it’s cool, it’s relaxed, and it easily creates a cheerful, low-stakes atmosphere where it just feels good to be together. Card games are usually based on luck — which, of course, is unpredictable — so chances are naturally balanced. No need to worry that the adult will always win, since the draw of the cards ensures variety. Shuffling, dealing, holding cards, placing, drawing, winning tricks — these all become satisfying little rituals that both parents and educators can build on when aiming to create quality shared time with children.

Piou Piou

A fast-paced, collection-based game full of playful take-that moments.

Age, Playing Time, Players

Recommended for ages 5 and up, 10 min, 2-5 players

Tools

47 cards (6 foxes, 15 roosters, 15 hens, 11 nests) and 18 eggs/chicks

Skills

Strategic thinking, set collection, basic logic.

Instructions

We’re aiming for different card combinations: we can collect eggs, steal from others, chase away the fox, or hatch the eggs. Whoever manages to hatch three chicks first, wins the game.

Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading

Transform reading from a chore into play with our research-backed board game guide

Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading

Transform reading from a chore into play with our research-backed board game guide

Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading

Transform reading from a chore into play with our research-backed board game guide

Pipolo

A real oddball—yet you have to bluff with a straight face.

Age, Playing Time, Players

Recommended for ages 5 and up, 10 min, 2-4 players

Tools

40 animal cards (10 "hairy" cards, 10 "all naked" cards, 10 "feathered" cards and 10 "dressed" cards), 4 "joker" cards.

Skills

Bluffing, rule recognition, visual discrimination.

Instructions

Players take turns playing cards face down and making claims about what's on them (e.g. "hairy"). Others must decide whether to believe or challenge. The first to run out of cards wins.

I'm generally a rule-following player. I enjoy clear, well-developed, and compact rulebooks. But I've noticed that I'm a bit more flexible when it comes to Djeco card games—and it doesn't bother me at all. It's not that their rulebooks aren’t precise (they are, and compact too), but the gameplay often becomes more forgiving when led by the kids. This relaxed approach fits the overall mood of the games. Even I find myself going with the flow, sneakily collecting endless eggs. Give Djeco card games a try—they’re worth it!

Cooperative Games

While this article doesn’t cover cooperative games, we understand their importance and popularity. That's why we've dedicated a whole separate article to the topic. Access it through the link below to explore more!

Cooperative Games

While this article doesn’t cover cooperative games, we understand their importance and popularity. That's why we've dedicated a whole separate article to the topic. Access it through the link below to explore more!

Spread the Fun of Learning!

Love our content? Show your support by sharing our page with your friends and help us inspire more families and educators with the joy of learning through play! Your shares truly make a difference. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our community!

Spread the Fun of Learning!

Love our content? Show your support by sharing our page with your friends and help us inspire more families and educators with the joy of learning through play! Your shares truly make a difference. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our community!

Spread the Fun of Learning!

Love our content? Show your support by sharing our page with your friends and help us inspire more families and educators with the joy of learning through play! Your shares truly make a difference. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our community!

Your thoughts?

We'd love to hear your new ideas, and thoughts on our above list. Join the conversation!

Your thoughts?

We'd love to hear your new ideas, and thoughts on our above list. Join the conversation!

Your thoughts?

We'd love to hear your new ideas, and thoughts on our above list. Join the conversation!