Since my son learned the earth's layers (check out our 3-D diagram), I thought it
might also be fun to find a way to teach him the atmospheric layers. A rousing
game of cards seemed like the perfect way to learn.
I designed a set of 1-10 playing cards plus wild
cards, for us to play like Skip-Bo Junior.
DIY the Game!
Download a free 11-page PDF of the playing cards from
Google Drive here.
If you have trouble accessing the file, you can request permission within
Google Drive or email me. Teachers: Use a personal email address when
requesting access to my files. Most schools block emails from outside their
domain, prohibiting me from granting you access.
Print on heavyweight cardstock and cut out. Print two copies of the WILD cards (on page 5). NOTE: This is a pretty ink-heavy printable;
I recommend taking the PDF to a copy shop so as not to use up all your home
printer's ink.
How to Win
The first player to play all of the cards from their
stockpile is the winner.
How to Play
This is a two-person game. The dealer deals 10 cards
facedown to each player; this is their stockpile. The top card is turned over
(i.e. face-up) and placed on top of the rest of the cards. Next, the dealer
deals three cards in three separate piles to each player face up next to the
stockpile. The dealer does this with each turn.
In the playing area between both players, four piles can
be started. These four piles are played on by both players and must begin with
a No. 1 card (the inner core) or a Wild card, played face up.
The youngest player looks at the three cards in their
"hand" (those dealt face-up by the dealer on the table) as well as
the one card on top of their stockpile to see if they can begin a new pile or
add to an existing one. The player plays all the cards that they can, even
those that may be revealed from under another card that was just played. For
example, if there is a No. 2 (outer core) card face-up on one pile, a player
can place the No. 3 (mantle) or Wild card on top of it from their hand, as well
as any other cards they may have to play.
If the card from the stockpile is played, the card
underneath is turned over. It's the next player's turn when a player can no
longer play any cards from their stockpile or hand. NOTE: The card on top of
the stockpile may not be moved to the player's hand, even if all the cards in
one pile of their hand have been played.
Each time it is a player's turn, three new cards are
dealt on top of the existing hand from the last round of play. Once the new
cards have been dealt, the player can take their turn.
When a pile has either been completed with the number
cards 1-10 and/or a mix of wild cards, the pile is turned over and removed from
the playing area, so a new pile can be formed in its place.
If the dealer runs out of cards and neither player has
played all the cards from their stockpile, the completed piles can be
reshuffled to continue play.
