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My husband introduced me to a card and dice game that is a favorite for our family for years now. He played it as a kid and remembered it as a game we could easily teach our girls. Family games help are great quality time and they help build life skills. We probably gather around the table for a board game at least once a week.
Normally we play this game with Skip-Bo Cards, but I thought I’d create a fun printable JUST for it. It really is that big of a deal around here.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Cards with Numbers up to 12. Use my FREE Download to create your own set! (1 set of cards per person – no limit to how many people can play.)
- Dice! We like each person to have their own set so that the game goes much faster (and people don’t get impatient waiting). Not necessary, though! If you have a set lying around, go ahead and start playing.
MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS (with my FREE Printable)
First, Download Free Game Printable. Download one copy per person playing.
Print the 2 pages of the download double-sided on a single page of card-stock. To make the game last even longer, laminate!
HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR (Game Rules)
- You will need numbered cards that go up to 12 and a pair of dice. (We’ve preferred SkipBo, but Phase 10, or Rook work well too.)
- Everyone starts the game with 10 cards in front of them, face up. Each person needs these specific card numbers: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Notice how there is not a number 1 or 7.
- The goal of the game is to turn all the cards face down. The first person to turn them all down is the winner.
- On your turn, you roll the dice. Whatever is the sum of the dice is the card that needs to get turned face down. If you roll a card number that is still turned up, you turn it face down. If you already have that card face down, you go clockwise around the table, the first person that still has that card turned face up gets to turn over the card and then it becomes their turn to continue rolling the dice. You just “helped your neighbor”. If everyone has that card turned over, as often is the case near the end of the game, the person rolling gets to continue rolling.
- You get to roll again every time you are able to turn a card face down.
- If you roll a 7, you have to turn a card of your choice back to face up and then pass the dice to the person next to you clockwise.
FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
I love this game because it is easy for even younger kids and fast-paced and everyone is constantly involved. Here’s a picture from a blog post from 3 years ago. My babies look so small!!!
Then:
Now:
Let’s not think about what this picture will look like in 10 years. Time, please slow down!!!
Have you ever played this before? What games do you play with your family?
From my home to yours,
Mary
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Cool! Never heard of it!
So fun!! Tell me what you think!
How many people are needed to play the game? Looks like fun.
I think at least 4 to be fun, but there isn’t really a set number. Enjoy!!
thanks for responding. Hope to play the game soon.
6-8 people or more. Just double up the skipbo cards so everyone gets 10 cards. It’s a really fun game to play with friends and family.
agree! the more the merrier with this game, you just need enough cards for each person. I’m actually going to suggest this game for our family dinner tonight with some extended family in town.
Never heard of it. Waiting to get it.
That sounds like fun. I can’t wait to try it!
We really love it! Fun and fast-paced, a good combo for keeping everyone’s attention!
Wish I had known about this when mine were younger !!!!! Love your blog and your topics — keep up the good work !!!
Oh, thank you! That is so nice of you to say!
I learned this game a little bit ago at a MOPS group and then taught it to my kids!! I made my own cards with just some scrap paper. Even my 4 year old was able to play it, they just love it!! Helps with math skills too!! I keep a set with dice in my purse and we pull it out when we have to wait for a while somewhere 🙂
It is an awesome game!! I love that you made home made cards – how fun!
I used to play this game with my sister and great grandmother as a little girl. She passed away 2 years ago at 100 and I was just thinking of her. I googled the rules of the game. We would play this and drink 7up. Such great memories.
Thanks for sharing! It really is a fun game and still one of our favorites. We played it 2 nights ago!!
Looks like a great game I love if you email me rules please
The rules are on the website whenever you need them. 🙂
Played it all the time but we use pennies. You ante a penny to start and every time a 7 is rolled a penny gets added to the pot..
What a fun variation.
Is this still available? Every time I click the download it just shows a page of numbers and letters.
I’m not sure if you read the rules of the game, but the printable coming up for you sounds correct to me. It should have lots of numbers 🙂
Is this still available? I can’t get the download link to open. Looks so cute!
Hi Tasha! Yes this is available. The link is working for me so I’m not positive what is happening.
We play it with large groups broken up into teams of 4. Each time a person turns all their cards over they yell a pre-determined word and a wrapped “prize” is tossed to them. Once they have the prize, they turn all their cards back over and continue playing with the rest of their team. We designate a time and whoever has the prized when the timer goes off, gets the prize. We have played this game for over 60 years… always a hit!
there is only one prize… it “travels”
Sounds fun!
I just printed out the “Help Your Neighbor” game and can’t wait to play it with my family this weekend. What a great idea! It’s wonderful to see you sharing such thoughtful and fun activities that bring people together.
You’re welcome!