by Kim
Card games have become very popular in my house recently. They are a perfect way to stay out of the uncooperative weather and still have fun. Games such as Crazy Eights, Go Fish, War, and Uno are hits. But with three small children I cannot hold everyone’s cards for them. Here are three different playing card holders you can use for those little hands.
CLOTHESPIN METHOD
This is a old favorite of mine because clothespins are so accessible. My mom used this method with me when I was a child. It is very easy for the kids to hold.
CHIP CLIP METHOD
The chip clip allows you to spread the cards out easier than the clothespin method. But if you have quite a few children in your house getting together enough chip clips may be difficult.
EGG CARTON METHOD
Simply cut small slits into the bottom of an egg carton on egg egg holder.
Then your child can stand the cards up in the slits. You can space them out easily. The best part is that you can add or remove cards without messing up the rest of the cards. It is a great way to reuse one of these, too. The con of this method is that it can tip over easily.
What do you use in your house to help the littler ones play cards?
Kim is a contributing writer for No Time For Flash Cards, a mom to a toddler, a preschooler, and a foster parent, too. She juggles her day by trying out fun activities and crafts with the kids. After all, she is just a big kid herself. See what she has been up to over at Mom Tried It.
Awesome tricks! I have never seen the egg carton one before.
wow!
am i so non-creative that i can’t even fathom a clothespin???
apparently. (which is exactly why i’m so thankful i found this site to begin with!!!!)
and each one got better and better.
i’ve been wanting a card holder for forever- and NEVER once thought of making one. the egg carton is PERFECT. so smart. thanks! we will play go fish again today!
Great ideas! I made a holder out of 2 old CD’s- glued together slightly off, so that you are able to easily insert & remove cards- not my original idea, borrowed from someone else.
Love this idea!
Good ideas.
Why don’t you weight down the inside of the egg box – e.g. with a couple of heavy stones or a small sealed bag of dried lentils or something? Then it wont tip over.
On pinterest I’ve seen people use a pool noodle – cut it into a small piece, then slit it to put cards in. On pinterest.com/funkist/ot-ideas and elsewhere….love these ideas you have.
Years ago when I worked as a nanny, I would turn a game box turned upside down (the long rectangular kind like Monopoly comes in) and the child would put their cards in the gap between the bottom of the box and the lid. One family had an old hardwood floor with gaps between the boards and the kids could stick their cards in the gaps!
I love the egg carton holder in particular – so clever.
When I was little, I would set up cereal boxes to make my own fortress so I could lay my cards down while I played Uno.
Love this!! My 3 year old has to spread out her cards on the floor and I always feel guilty that I can see all of them. Hah! Thanks for sharing!
I have seen the clip, but the other two are new to me! Genius ideas!
My kids use the wooden box of dominoes to stand their cards up, slipping the cards in between the sides of the box and the stacks of dominoes. Works a treat! But I do like the portability of the peg/chip clip ideas for when we take card games on holidays or to Nana’s house with us. Thank so much 🙂
What great ideas! I just pinned this. 🙂
Love the egg carton idea – works for those who can only use one hand
Brilliant!
Another great idea is to use a wax paper or aluminum foil container. Remove the metal cutter first and then fold the cover down into the box so that the cover is at a 45 degree angle from the box. Our neighbor lady had a stroke but loved to play cards so this way she could always see the cards but only needed one hand to play.
You mentioned that egg carton tips easily. Weight it down by putting uncooked beans, rice or popcorn inside and glue it shut with hot glue. The weight of the contents should keep it from tipping so easily.
Love these suggestions. Shared in the MySideof50 Facebook Group and am sending a link to this post out in my Sunday newsletter! Lots of my readers have grandchildren they play cards with!
Thank you!
What great ideas!
Hairbrush – stick the cards in the bristles.