Category: family card games

SKIP SMALL TALK, HAVE BETTER CONVERSATIONS: DR. CHERINI GHOBRIAL’S CARD STORY

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Charles Levin - Branding, Card Designers, Card Games, Card Innovation, Card Story, Client Feature, Collaboration, conversation starter, Custom Design, Custom Gifts, custom party favor, Entertainment, family card games, game night, gaming events, Networking, Personalized Branding, Press Release, Self-Care, Social Media, Uncategorized

Small talk sucks! The unCURATED card game conquers chitchat once and for all!

unCURATED is a memento to late nights on the porch, where an exchange of meaningful stories forged better conversations, deep-rooted relationships, and stronger connections.

Its founder and creator, Dr. Cherini Ghobrial, hopes that each card pulled moves you closer to a solidified emotional foundation and further away from surface-level interactions.

About Dr. Cherini Ghobrial, Creator & Founder of unCURATED

After graduating from pharmacy school, where she earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Dr. Ghobrial wanted to pursue health beyond physical wellness. Her current journey tackles the small-talk crisis.

The unCURATED card game is three rounds of creative questions designed to spark meaningful conversations, cultivate connection, and tend to all things essential to our emotional wellness.

My hope for unCURATED is that by creating spaces to ask better questions, together, we can create spaces where we can be seen, where we can see others, and where we can see ourselves more deeply. Where we can realize our shared belonging to each other, and remind each other that we’re not alone. –Dr. Cherini Ghobrial

At the beginning of the creative process, Dr. Ghobrial was unsure how impactful or far-reaching unCURATED would be. But her vision became crystal clear once she realized how much humans resent small talk. Conquering unpleasant pleasantries with more thought-provoking questions, unCURATED allows a genuine interconnection to enter the chat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUInccZvSQ-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Our Small World Moment

There’s no better feeling than seeing a client’s card game being played and enjoyed. –Shuffled Ink Staff

By chance, hundreds of miles away from Shuffled Ink‘s Orlando manufacturing facility, one of our employees spotted Dr. Ghobrial’s unCURATED decks at Valor Coffee in Downtown Alpharetta, Georgia.

The wonderful humans at this brick-and-mortar shop think the world of unCURATED’s mission and have happily offered the game for several years now.

“I remember packing and shipping those cards,” our team member said. “So, it was really cool to see her game out in the real world.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKcE-eprJf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Say Hello! Find unCURATED At These Locations

Since launching in 2019 and winning the Plywood Presents: Idea Competition in Atlanta, the unCURATED card game has shipped across the globe to countless individuals and businesses.

So, whether you spot the deck by coincidence or pop into one of its East Coast vendors, be sure to grab a deck, join a group, and start connecting!

If we manufactured your card project and you would like us to share your Card Story on our blog, feel free to connect with our Marketing Team here.

COMMONLY PLAYED FAMILY CARD GAMES

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Charles Levin - Card Games, Classic Games, family card games, game night, Playing Cards

Playing cards originated during the 10th century in China. Back then, the card’s design carried a considerably different look and shape than what we know today. Instead of suits and faces, citizens would draw domino dots on slips of paper. Once playing cards reached Europe during the 14th century, its appearance transformed to hand-painted drawings. But while the artwork evolved as time progressed, one steady tradition was always present: playing card games. Flash forward to the 21st century, where many card games with varying designs and purposes are created and played daily. Generally, families have at least one playing card game in their home. According to The Board Game Family, 96 percent of families who play these games feel closer to one another. Family gatherings often involve playing both classic and new games that every family member can take part in and enjoy. This is why card game family traditions will never go out of style. So, shuffle the playing field during your next family event with a classic or new game of your choice. Here’s our list of commonly played family card games that you can try!

Popular Family Card Games

1. SPOONS

This family card game is played with a traditional 52-card deck and basic household silverware: spoons. To play an efficient game of Spoons, you must shuffle the playing cards before dealing to ensure an even playing field. This is a quick-paced game with a fair amount of bluffing for all players involved. Now, this is not a relaxed game in the slightest; your attention and focus will be torn in many directions. Your goal is to obtain four of a kind, meaning the faces must be the same but the suit doesn’t matter. In addition, you should also be looking out for missing spoons. If there’s a missing spoon, this means someone has already secured four of a kind. Now, here’s the fun, competitive part. If you do notice a missing spoon, then any of the remaining spoons are up for grabs even if you do not have four of a kind. Unfortunately, in every game, there has to be a loser. So, the player who does not pick up a spoon in time loses.

Since Spoons is played with a traditional deck of playing cards, try your hand at designing your own custom card back. At Shuffled Ink’s Design Shop, everything revolves around your unique style. You decide the template, image, colors, font, and more! The possibilities are endless, and the Design Shop will help bring your vision to life.

2. WAR

The card game War is played with a standard 52-card deck and requires two players. But don’t worry, War can still be played during your family game night. Rather than each round played by all family members, War can be played in a tournament-style fashion, where the winner of each round plays whoever is up next until someone finally wins. Now, how do you play? It’s important to thoroughly shuffle the deck in a way that will randomize the playing cards. Cut the deck in half, and deal each player 26 cards, one at a time, face down. Then, once all cards are dealt, both players reveal one of their cards. Whichever player has the highest card of the two will win that hand and collect both cards. Once there are no more cards to reveal, each player will count how many cards they have, and whoever has the most is the winner.

What does it mean to have ‘War’?

If both players reveal two cards of the same rank, then you have WAR.
When this happens, each player will put one card face down and one card face up.
Once revealed, the player who has the highest card takes both piles. If the cards happen to be the same rank again, then each player places one of their cards face down and flips one card face up.
And, naturally, the player who has the highest card will collect all of the playing cards that were dealt during that round of War.

3. UNO

This shedding-type card game is one of the most well-known and commonly played games. Playing UNO reminds me of summer vacations spent with my grandma, where it became a family tradition to play the card game every night after dinner. There’s something truly special about a card game that can successfully entertain people of all ages, connecting both an 80-year-old and a 7-year-old (in my case). Invented in 1971, the first people to play Merle Robbins’ newfound game was his family. And with their stamp of approval, it soon turned into the classic family-friendly game we all know and love. But the game’s success and efficiency require proper dealing and shuffling in order to keep each game fresh and competitive. The shuffling procedure provides each player with an equal element of chance, creating a fun game that packs together the holy trinity: luck, surprise and betrayal.

4. HEDBANZ

Hedbanz is the perfect card game to include during your next family game night. This is a guessing game, where each player has a card on their forehead with a cartooned image of an animal, object or food. The goal is to guess “What Am I?”. A big rule is to only ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions during your timed guessing turn. This kid-friendly card game can easily become your newfound family tradition.

A Pack of Possibilities at Hand

Customized Card Game – Prudential Game of Odds Just like UNO, every single card game began as a customized project idea. When thinking about the most popular card games played today, such as Apples to Apples, Codenames, etc., your ideas can just as easily become the next big card game; the next family tradition. Unlock all of your creative ideas. Explore our options to produce your next project and request a quote today! ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

7 FUN WORD GAMES AND MORE FOR KIDS

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Charles Levin - Card Games, Education Learning, family card games, Flash Card Retention, word games

It’s important to play fun word games for kids as school wraps up and summer sets in. A healthy amount of school-related games must be in the cards, so check out these must-play learning games!

1. Bananagrams: Word Game

This family-friendly word game for kids consists of letter tiles that resemble the popular board game Scrabble. But in this fun game, you create your own crossword grid and produce as many or as little words as you can. This allows your child to brush up on previously learned words, as well as discover new ones. The end goal here is to create words by using every single tile to win the game. In the Bananagrams word game, there’s a little bit of luck involved and a whole lot of fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGRF5KwQApw&feature=youtu.be

2. Codenames: Board Game

This board game Codenames is directed toward older children, with the age being 14+.

Codenames Game Versions

Codenames Word Game: During this fun word game, you are given an outline of words in the set that belongs to you and your partner. If you are the spymaster in your team of two, your goal is to describe the word(s) to your partner without specifically using any of the words in your set.
Codenames Pictures Game: Now, for the abstract drawing version of Codenames, you have to describe what you see in the drawing, and hopefully, your partner will see and understand the same drawing that you happen to see.

For more information and rules for this game of guessing, watch the video below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8RWBooJivg

3. Summer Crossword Puzzle Game

This summer, crossword puzzles are the perfect word games for kids. It’s a simple game to acquire (printable online) and it’s mobile. Make a long car ride more interesting and fun with a summer crossword puzzle game. Choose beginner, intermediate or difficult based on the age level of your child. This fun word game will not only allow for an increase in word development but also clue-solving skills for your child.

4. Go Fish!: Numbers Card Game

All you need to play this classic number card game Go Fish! is a standard 52-card deck. Your child will develop strategy and number skills as they seek any four of a kind, such as four kings, four aces, etc. In this card game, the rules are quite simple. There aren’t too many factors that go into booking four a kind because the suits (hearts, spade, diamond, clubs) don’t matter. This allows for a fair playing field and a positive learning environment for your child during summer vacation!

5. Uno: Numbers Card Game

This timeless numbers card game will keep your child focused on matching colors and numbers to maintain their learning skills this summer. The rules are straightforward. You can play a RED card on top of a RED card (or a green on top of a green and so on). You can even change the color streak if you have the same number as the last number played. Of course, there’s the infamous Draw Four, Draw Two, Skip and Reverse cards that will make you either shriek with frustration or laugh with glee! While UNO is extremely fun and entertaining for people of all ages, it equally benefits your child’s learning development while on break.

6. Multiplication Flash Cards

I distinctly remember my mom going through a set of multiplication flash cards with me every single night before bed during summer vacation. If your child isn’t gung-ho about math and numbers, make it into a fun numbers game, where there are positive rewards for correct answers. It’s important to make learning and practice feel less like a chore and more like a fun game, which it is!

7. Create Your Own Fun Word Game for Kids

If you’re looking to be completely in control with the types of learning games you want your child to be introduced to, consider creating your own with us! By personalizing playing cards, card games and/or flash cards into a school-related way, you’re heading in the right direction to keep your child’s learning skills to par this summer vacation.

**Customized Card Game: Numbers are Fun!**

by Peggy Bourke

Types of Summer Learning Games to Create:

Matching Card Games (numbers, colors, shapes, pictures, etc.)
Vocabulary/Pronunciation Flash Cards
Standard Playing Cards: There is a multitude of games that can be played with a classic 52-card deck but when you add your own personal touch (photos of your child’s favorite sports team, action figures, animals, etc. it allows you to add something unique to whichever learning game you’re playing)
Board Games Aimed Toward Strengthening Word and Number Skill Levels

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Tarot Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Flash Cards at: ShuffledInk

TRANSFORM TRADITIONAL CARD GAMES INTO FESTIVE ONES

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Charles Levin - Classic Games, family card games, Playing Cards

Stocking stuffer playing cards for pre-sale!

Custom card games make great gifts, but now your attention is turning to entertaining company and believe it or not, with a little holiday magic you can turn some of your existing card games into holiday custom card games.

CANES

Based on the traditional card game Spoons, the first person to secure 4 of a kind (ex. 4 aces, 4 threes, etc.) will grab one of the spoons at the center of the table. Instead of using traditional spoons, use festive candy canes or other holiday treats that are easy to handle and relate to the holiday season! Once you notice someone pick up a candy cane, you are free to grab one yourself. Much like musical chairs, whoever doesn’t get one fast enough is out of the game.

Need:

Classic 52-printed deck of cards
3 to 13 players
Candy Canes; one fewer than there are players (ex. If there are 5 players, then use 4 candy canes)

HOLIDAY-THEMED PICTIONARY

Whichever holiday you celebrate, use Pictionary as a catalyst to get your family and friends to draw specific festive items like a Christmas tree, a menorah for Hanukkah, a Kwanzaa kinara, etc. Use flash cards to list different holiday elements that can be drawn by the players. Whichever team has the most correct answers wins!

Need:

Flash cards
Chalkboard or Whiteboard
Marker, Chalk, Pen, Pencil
3 or more players per team
Timer

RING OF FIRE

The traditional game Ring of Fire is played by adults 21 and over, where you place a classic 52-card deck around your choice of alcoholic beverage. Transform the beer typically used in this game into a festive drink like spiked eggnog or cider. You can even alter the game’s rules and relate them to whichever holiday you celebrate. For example, when you pick up a ‘9’ only rhyme with holiday-themed words. Remember, if someone picks up one of the playing cards and creates a break between two cards, they have to drink the designated spiked drink!

Need:

One classic playing card deck
One holiday-themed alcoholic beverage
Individual Alcoholic Beverages for Guests

DECK THE CARDS

Along with decking the halls, consider decking your cards! Create your own custom playing cards, custom card games and custom board games with Shuffled Ink. Here are some popular examples of creating custom holiday games!

Family Holiday Cards – Can’t choose just one photo to send to family and friends as your holiday card? Create a 52-card compilation of photos that commemorate your family’s special memories from 2018.
Holiday Recipes – Print 52 of your favorite holiday recipes onto playing cards for family and friends. Easily accessible and mobile, you can always have your recipes handy during any occasion this holiday season.
Flash Card Story Time – Use flash cards to teach your kids about your family’s holiday traditions, as well as explain why you celebrate your specific holiday.
Custom Holiday Games – Channel your inner festivities by creating your own original holiday-themed game (playing cards, card games, board games) to play with family and friends this year.

Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide. To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form. ● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk ● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk

THE PEOPLE YOU WILL MOST LIKELY ENCOUNTER ON GAME NIGHT

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Designers, Card Games, Classic Games, Custom Design, Design, Entertainment, family card games, game night

We know what makes our family and friends laugh, cry and tick, especially when we’re playing endless rounds of card games. With no shortage of entertainment and gathered personality types, we’ve put together a fun list of “players” you will most likely encounter on a typical game night!

The Sore Loser/Winner: Be sure not to pinpoint this player to just toddlers…they come in adult sizes, too. Game night wouldn’t be complete without accusations of cheating and at least two meltdowns. Not to mention, this player’s “losing” episodes are just as bad as their “winning” ones. We’ll let you decide who you’d rather deal with: Someone who displays intense gloating or walks away from a game in anger. All joking aside, most of us have experienced “angry bursts” while playing a game — when you draw the “Go to Jail” card and can’t collect $200 in Monopoly; when someone makes you “Draw Four” cards in UNO — so we understand your pain, and we don’t judge.

The Dynamic Duo: Typically dealt with during team games, these two players allow their one-of-a-kind bond to be known. Their complete starter pack includes an elaborate handshake, intense staring and, of course, twin telepathy. When this duo participates in a game, their competitors often feel two emotions: envy or loathing. They either wish they had a partner in crime of their own, or they simply can’t stand the pair’s obnoxious tendencies.

The “Wannabe” Pro: This player never misses an episode of Family Feud (including the reruns), tunes into Jeopardy every night at 7 and, in their spare time, researches cheat codes on popular games. And while you’ll have to deal with their smack talk before the game and during their brief winning streak, count on no words uttered when they’re losing.

Silent but Deadly: For this player, silence is key. Most of the time, it’s easy to forget about this player because they don’t openly make their presence known. Nevertheless, they often show no remorse for the game pieces that block them from what’s “rightfully” theirs: eternal glory. And while they share similar characteristics to that of The “Wannabe” Pro, it’s their tremendous gaming skills and mysterious persona that separates them from the mere hopefuls. By the time you realize their true intentions, it’s always too late.

The Happy-Go-Lucky Butterfly: This player would rather receive a sportsmanship award than a first-place trophy. Generally focused on life’s simplest pleasures — enjoying the company of friends and family — they often socialize more than playing the game, which can be frustrating for the players who must nudge them when it’s their turn. Regardless, inviting them to game night has more positives than negatives. This player’s happy-go-lucky attitude outshines their nonexistent competitive drive.

The Ferris Bueller: (For those of you who haven’t seen “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” it’s a movie about a teenager who plays hooky instead of going to school). Now, we all have that one friend who is constantly blowing up the group chat with messages to hang out, but when a plan is finally set, they never actually show up. And while you may not physically encounter this “player” on game night, their absence is still relevant, as their flaky actions can disrupt the flow of the game and result in unbalanced teams.

The Glue: Like The Ferris Bueller, this person technically isn’t a player, but they do play an active role in the game as mediator. Ensuring everything runs smoothly, they typically appoint themselves with the position, as they would rather observe than partake in the game. Even so, your game night wouldn’t be the same without this key “player,” for their calming energy in a room full of various gaming personalities is much needed.

***

Ever tired of playing the same games over and over again? Consider building your own custom card or board game with Shuffled Ink! The same personality types may continue to show up, but at least you’ll have something new to play, and it’ll be your own unique product!

Now, whether you find yourself fitting in all, one or none of the categories listed, Shuffled Ink hopes you have an unforgettable night of fun with these “players” …so much fun that you’ll end up doing it all over again!

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk Custom Card Games

5 FUN GAMES FOR FAMILY NIGHT

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Charles Levin - Board Games, Card Games, Classic Games, Entertainment, family card games, game night

Looking for the most family-friendly fun you can pack into game night? Then take a look at our picks for the top five fun games for family night!

Family-fun nights are a great way to keep your kids close. Moreover, board games have a number of surprising benefits ranging from strengthening your kid’s critical thinking to helping them build better vocabularies and learn about finances. Here are 5 fun games for family night that are sure to make your kids want to turn off their phones and turn on the smiles.

WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT BOARD GAMES?

Recent research suggests that playing casual, light-hearted board games can have some surprising benefits for childhood development. These include:

Board games are good for developing motor skills.
Playing board games can lead to better grades.
Board games can help your kid’s problem solving abilities.
Game night is great for family bonding.
Board games are some good ole fashioned, family-friendly fun.

5 FUN GAMES FOR FAMILY NIGHT

This is somewhat subjective. People tend to like the games that they grew up with. It’s also important to consider the age of your children and when determining what game to pick. Is it all about fun? Or are you trying to subtly insert some education into your gameplay? Here are 5 of our favorite board games for family night.

MONOPOLY

Probably the most iconic American board game of all time, Monopoly is a family-friendly, multiplayer classic dating all the way back to 1903. The game’s lessons range from personal finance and social skills to managing risk and basic math. There is also (as those who lose like to point out) a bit of luck involved, especially when the cards are in play. Monopoly is a must for any family night.

RISK

War huh, what is it good for? Having a bunch of fun with your family, that’s what! Risk is a strategic military game where the players go to war (on the board using military-themed thimbles) with one simple goal: conquering as much territory as possible. According to the box, Risk is great for all ages, but it’s probably better for those over the age of at least 8. Any younger and it might be too complicated.

CLUE

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable,” according to Sherlock Holmes “must be the truth.” Know this and you’ll never fail to win at a game of Clue. Clue is a crime-mystery board game where players acquire clues about who did what and where they did it. These clues are gained based on die rolls. Eventually, players use those clues to determine the guilty culprit. If you choose correctly, you win. If not, you lose. Clue is a fun way to help your children hone their deductive reasoning skills.

TRIVIAL PURSUIT

This one is great for when your children get old, like when they come home from college. It may not be as easy to get them to agree to game night. But if you can, Trivial Pursuit is a great option.

OPERATION

While Operation may not technically be a board game, it is a great way have fun with your family. It can also be surprisingly fun for adults: try nudging your kids while they reach for the funny bone and give yourself a good laugh. Hey, you probably deserve it!

Now that you know our picks for fun games for family night, why not create your own? Find out how simple it is to create a customized board game by clicking below. Then choose your own design and get started!

● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk

● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk