Boredom Busters: Top Card Games of 2020

Looking for ways to spice up your family game night? If so, you may want to go back to the tried-and-true well of card games.

Whether you’re on the road or at home, card games remain a great family diversion. You have many options to choose from, from the classic Uno to new entrants such as Exploding Kittens. The only real question is: how much free time do you have?

Not sure where to start? Here are 9 of the top card games to play in 2020!

1. Uno

This is an obvious first choice, and there are many good reasons for it. Uno is fast-paced, easy to pick up, playable with 2-4 people, and appropriate for all ages. Most importantly, though, Uno is a blast to play and never, ever gets old.

The goal of Uno is to get rid of all cards in your hand. You can do that by matching the previously played card by number or color. If you don’t have a match, you pick up a new card, and there are several special cards to keep things interesting.

2. Quiddler

Most people who’ve played Quiddler describe it as a card version of Scrabble. Your goal is to form words by using cards in your hand. You get extra points for making the longest word or most words, and you get more cards in each new round.

Other than being a fun game on its own, Quiddler is a great way to practice spelling. It’s best for kids ages 8 or up, though younger children could enjoy it as well. You can play it with up to 9 players, and there’s even a solitaire version.

3. Five Crowns

Speaking of strategy card games that you can play alone or with a group, Five Crowns also fits the bill. With more people, this Rummy-style game gets competitive in a hurry. It lasts 11 rounds, though, so you’ll need to make some time for it.

The object of the game is to create “runs” in your hand. A run includes cards of the same suit in order, with the wild cards replacing any other card. Once someone gets a run, the round ends, and other players get points based on their cards.

4. Family Feud Strikeout

If you enjoy watching Family Feud, this game should be right up your alley. You can play it with 3 or more people, and it’s best for ages 10 and up. There’s no game board or complicated set-up, so you can play it pretty much everywhere.

Each card in the deck features a typical Family Feud scenario. Teams try to guess the top answers while avoiding strikes, which give up control to the other team. This goes back and forth until one team strikes out or completes the card.

5. Cards Against Humanity

This one is a bit of an outlier since it’s not really for kids at all. Still, its raunchy gameplay makes it one of the most popular card games out there, so we had to include it. The recommended age range for it is 17 and up.

The game consists of 100 black cards and 100 white cards. In each round, a player asks a question from a black card, and other players have to answer with one of their white cards. Most answers end up being inappropriate and/or hilarious.

6. The Shipwreck Arcana

The prettiest-looking game on this list, The Shipwreck Arcana is also a lot of fun. It features co-operative gameplay based on evaluation and deduction. It’s best for players ages 12 and up, with games lasting a mere 10-30 minutes.

As the name implies, the game features a modified version of the 22 major arcana. This makes the Shipwreck Arcana a great choice for fans of the tarot. To learn more about major arcana and its journey, click on that link.

7. Monopoly Deal

Do you love Monopoly, but can’t bear to sit through a multi-hour game? If so, Monopoly Deal may be a great alternative. As your goal is only to collect three full property sets, games don’t tend to last over 20 minutes.

The gameplay consists of players picking up cards representing the traditional Monopoly property. You also have access to action cards, which allow you to charge rent, steal other cards, and more. The game is best suited for ages 8 and up.

8. Exploding Kittens

This silly game is the most successful Kickstarter project ever, and it’s easy to see why. Simply put, Exploding Kittens is unlike any other card game out there. Though it may seem complicated, kids ages 7 and up can play it without issues.

Your main goal in the game is to not draw the exploding kitten card. If you do draw it, however, you may be able to defuse it or use it to attack other players. There’s a lot of luck involved here, but strategy plays a key role as well.

9. Epic Card Game

If you’ve been looking into card games like Magic: The Gathering, this may be your best bet. Much like Magic, Epic is a fast fantasy-themed game appropriate for ages 10 and up. Unlike Magic, it doesn’t require you to spend a fortune on it.

The game aims to recreate the TCG-style experience with a single box. The only two card types are Events and Champions, so the gameplay is quite streamlined. You can play it with random decks or create a draft/sealed format for 2-4 players.

Other Top Card Games of 2020

As you can see, card games are still a great way to bring a family together. The more you know your kids, the easier you’ll find something they’ll enjoy.

Keep in mind that this is only a small portion of the best card games on the market. After all, we haven’t even mentioned games like Dominion, Phase 10, or Incan Gold. With some research, you should be able to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Looking for more top card games that you can play with your family? Want to know how to entertain your kids without breaking the bank? Take a closer look at our “Parenting” section!