How to Play Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers is a fun and easy little game suitable for children 5 years old and up. It helps children practice addition and improves their spatial skills.

 

Setting Up Finders Keepers

Deck of 52 playing cards Finders keepers
Deck of 52 playing cards.

All you need is a deck of 52 cards for this game. It requires at least 2 people, but can fit as many as 4.

Lay all the cards out face down in an array; there will be 6 rows with 8 cards each. The 7th row will only have 4 cards.

Be sure to discard any Jokers before you start. They are not worth any points.

 

The Rules

Rules of Finders Keepers

The goal of the game is to collect cards that make a predetermined sum.

  • The youngest player always goes first.
  • The starting player will name a number from 1 through 25.
  • The player will turn over 2 cards to see if they add up to the number the first player called. For example: the player calls out a 13 and proceeds to flip over a 7 and a 6.
  • If the numbers match the sum, the player keeps the cards.
  • If the cards do not add up to the called number, the player will turn 1 card face down and leave the other card face up. It doesn’t matter which one stays face up.
  • The next player (going counter-clockwise) will then turn over 2 cards. They are trying to make the number the first player called out. They can also use the first player’s overturned card to make the sum as well.
  • If the player makes the sum, they can take the cards that made the sum and leave the other face up. If all three cards make the sum, the player keeps all three. If they do not make the sum, the player will turn all cards over except 1
  • If a sum is not made, the plays continue until someone gets the sum.
  • Even if cards are taken, the array should not be moved around.
  • The player who got the sum will get to call out the new sum (again, 1 through 25) for the other players to find.
  • The game ends once all the cards are gone. The player with the most cards automatically wins the game.

 

The Point System

Scoring Point System in Finders Keepers

  • Aces = 1 point
  • Number cards are worth their face value. For example, a 7 card =  7 points.
  • Jacks = 11 points
  • Queens = 12 points
  • Kings = 13 points

 

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