A Personalized Family Card Game – Perfect for any family get together.
Here’s a cute spin on the popular Israeli card games, using the members of your family.
Whether you’re gathered for a cozy Chanukah party or just want to make your family game night extra special, this creative, DIY card game is a fun, meaningful, and laughter-filled way to bring everyone together. Bonus: it makes a great homemade gift idea too!
You can go all-out with printed family photos and glossy cardstock, or keep it simple using simple index cards and markers. Either way, you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind game starring your favorite people.
Find your supplies here...
How to Make Your Family Card Game
Step 1: Choose Your Players
Make a list of the family members you’d like to include in the game. These could be people who are present at the party—or family members who are part of the fun from afar!
Step 2: Create Descriptions
For each person, come up with four adjectives, talents, or descriptions. These can be simple facts (oldest), silly (“loves ketchup on everything”), sweet (“gives the best hugs”), or impressive (“piano prodigy”).
Step 3: Design the Cards
Cards can be designed digitally on cardstock using Canva or by crafting them with index cards or blank game cards.
You’ll create four cards per person. Each card should have a photo and then a list of all four descriptions, but highlight a different one on each card. This helps players distinguish between them while keeping the game visually interesting.
No photos? No problem! You can simply write the names and descriptions on index cards in colorful markers.
Object of the Game
The goal is to collect the most sets of cards.
A set is all four cards that belong to one family member.
Setting Up
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Choose a dealer: Each player gets dealt one card face-up. The player with the youngest family member on their card becomes the dealer.
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The dealer shuffles and deals the cards face-down, one at a time clockwise.
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Card count per player:
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2–3 players: 7 cards each
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4–5 players: 5 cards each
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Place the remaining cards face-down in a pile. This is your stock.
How to Play
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The player to the left of the dealer begins by asking any other player, “Do you have [Name]?”
(Example: “Do you have Yossi?”)-
To ask, you must already have at least one card from that person’s set.
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If the player has any of that person’s cards, they must hand them all over.
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If they don’t, you draw one card from the stock.
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If you get a card you asked for, you continue your turn by asking again—either the same player or someone else.
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Collecting a set:
When you collect all four cards of one person, lay them out face-up. Then, you get to go again. -
If your request is denied and you draw from the stock without success, your turn ends.
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The game continues until all sets are claimed. The player with the most sets wins!
Additional Notes
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The classic version has 13 sets, but you can adjust based on how many people are playing.
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If you have fewer participants, consider making teams or adding in family members who aren’t present.
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If a player runs out of cards, they can draw from the stock when it’s their turn. If the stock is empty, they’re out.
Make It a Gift!
Wrap up your homemade deck in a small box or pouch and give it as a thoughtful, personalized Chanukah gift. You can even add a “Family Fun Night” label or instructions for easy play.
This charming twist on a beloved family card game brings family stories, personalities, and love into every round. Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, it’s sure to be a favorite tradition in the making.
Photography by Hudi Greenberger
This article originally appeared in Family First
