The Color Card Game: A Fun, Rainy Day Activity for Your Kids

Do you have a house full of bored, hyperactive 8 or 9 year-olds who can't go outside to play due to bad weather? If so, here's a fun card game that will keep them entertained, at least for an hour or two.

I have learned and played many card games like this over the years. But the Color Card Game is one I have always remembered, for two reasons. First, it is a simple and easy card game to put together and play. And, secondly, it's fun for anyone, no matter how old they are.

Before you can play the Color Card Game, you have to create the cards you'll be playing with.

Creating the Cards for the Color Card Game

Here's what you'll need to make the cards for the Color Card Game.

1. Blue, red and green markers or crayons. (Choose a bright green that won't be mistaken for blue, and a darker blue that won't be mistaken for green.)

2. Twenty one index cards. If you don't have index cards, you can use plain typing paper. Just cut the paper into twenty one square or rectangular shapes.

That's all you need to make the cards for this card game.

Now, take the red crayon or marker and write the word BLUE on the blank, unlined sides of seven index cards. Write the word "red" on the backs of the cards in black.

Take the blue crayon or marker and write the word GREEN on seven more index cards. Write the word "blue" on the backs of the cards in black.

Take the green crayon or marker and write the word RED on the last seven index cards. Write the word "green" on the backs of the cards in black.

And, just like that, you're ready to play the Color Card Game.

Playing the Color Card Game

When it's time to play the Color Card Game, gather the cards together and shuffle them up until they are well mixed.

Have each child take a turn, while someone else reveals each card to them the same way you would if you were practicing math with flash cards.

As each card is revealed, the child should try to call out the color the word is written in rather than the word itself. It's a lot harder to do than it sounds, which is what makes this card game so much fun.

Each one the player gets wrong goes into one pile, while the ones they get write go into another. The player who gets the most right wins the game, or the round if you want to play several times.

The Color Card Game is a fun, simple card game that you can have ready in minutes, and your kids can have fun playing for hours.