Snap is a classic card game that is fun and easy for kids of all ages to learn. The goal of snap is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. It is fast-paced and exciting! Playing snap helps develop concentration, memory, visual perception, and motor skills in children. Read on to learn the basic rules of snap, variations to make it more interesting, tips for playing with younger kids, and the skills snap can help develop.
What You Need to Play Snap
Snap can be played with a standard deck of 52 playing cards or a special snap deck. Here is what you need:
- 2-4 players
- 1 deck of cards with identical backs
- A flat surface to play on
Standard playing cards work perfectly well for snap. However, you can also buy specially made snap decks. These usually have colorful pictures and themes like animals, vehicles, princesses, pirates, etc. This makes them more appealing for younger kids. Snap decks also often come with multicolored card backs, which adds variation.
How to Deal
The dealer shuffles the cards and deals them face down into a pile in front of each player. For 2 players, deal 7 cards each. For 3 players, deal 5 cards each. For 4 players, deal 4 cards each. Place the remaining cards face down in a draw pile in the center within reach of all players.
Rules of Play
The player to the left of the dealer starts by turning over their top card and placing it face up on the table. Moving clockwise, each player does the same with their top card. As cards are revealed, players should keep an eye out for any two cards that match in rank or face value (pair of 7s, 2 Queens, etc).
If two matching cards are laid down by different players consecutively, the first player to call “Snap!” and slap their hand down on the pair wins the pile. That player gets to add the pile of cards to the bottom of their face down pile.
Then the game resumes with players taking turns turning over their cards again. When a match is made again, call “Snap!” and claim the pile.
Winning the Game
The game continues until one player has collected all the cards. That player is declared the winner! It is perfectly acceptable to make false “Snap” calls to fake out opponents and slow them down. This adds to the excitement!
Variations
Once kids understand the basic snap rules, there are many fun variations you can try:
Pairs Snap
Only matching pairs of cards (2 Aces, 2 fives, etc.) can be snapped. Mismatched face values do not qualify (Queen and King).
Tens Snap
Only snapping on 10s (any suit) counts.
Slap Jack
Instead of snapping on pairs, players slap the pile when a Jack card is revealed to win it.
Wild Snap
Use 2-4 wild cards which can match with any other card for a snap. Jokers are ideal for this.
Category Snap
Create card categories like red cards, even numbers, face cards, etc. that players have to snap on instead of just matches.
Double Snap
To win a pile, a player must snap twice in a row on 2 different pairs.
Tips for Younger Kids
Snap is great for younger kids ages 4+ to start with just a few adjustments:
- Reduce hand size to 3-4 cards each
- Start with picture cards only so matches are easier to see
- Allow matching on both rank and suit
- Have kids lay their snap hand on the two matching cards
- Slowly increase difficulty as kids improve
Praise kids for making matches and snapping correctly. Draw piles can be fanned out for easier viewing. Demonstrate playing a few rounds yourself first so kids can learn by example. The more they play, the better their matching, memory and reaction skills will get!
Skills Developed by Snap
Snap helps kids build these important skills:
Visual Perception
Players must watch cards closely and recognize matching ranks. This boosts visual discrimination.
Concentration
Kids practice sustaining focus while watching for pairs turn over rapidly. This strengthens attention stamina.
Memory
Remembering previously played cards and possible matches exercises memory. Strategic observation plays a key role.
Reaction Time
Snapping quickly when pairs turn up helps hone reflexes and response speed.
Motor Skills
Physically slapping the cards and gathering piles boosts hand-eye coordination.
Sportsmanship
Kids learn to win humbly and handle losing politely. Taking turns and obeying rules are involved.
Conclusion
Snap card games provide children with quality entertainment and learning. The simple premise makes snap accessible to kids of preschool age all the way up through older gradeschoolers. It is easy to adjust for different ages and skill levels. Snap exercises visual scanning, focus, memory, and motor skills. Kids have fun snapping away while improving their concentration, reactions and card matching abilities. Keep games breezy and interactive. Be patient and offer encouragement as kids progress. Snap is sure to become a favorite card game across generations!