Kids

Fun Party Games That Encourage Literacy In Kids

by Kevyn Gohu
September 8, 2025

Here are some really fun party games that encourage literacy in kids!

We’re not talking about the typical “Bring Me!” or Pinoy Henyo—these games are often in the form of cards. Most of them may have a maximum of five (5) players. But the games get so fun that the kids end up pairing up to win. The best part is, they can be played in smaller areas and are perfect for kids who get overstimulated by large parties. Here’s Modern Parenting’s recommendation of “party games”:

Poetry for Neanderthals

Created by the same studio that brought kids Exploding Kittens, the party game Poetry for Neanderthals is similar to Pinoy Henyo but with a catch: it must be said in poetry form, and all the words must be one-syllable only. Failure to do so means getting thwacked by the inflatable bat that comes with the set!

Monopoly Deal

One of the biggest frustrations many families have with the classic Monopoly is that there’s so much to bring out. With Monopoly Deal, everything’s restricted to cards. Players each get five (5) cards and get to play only three (3) moves. At the start of the player’s turn, they get to draw two cards.

And let’s be honest, financial literacy is a must for kids. Monopoly Deal makes that fun, and it also challenges them to read the effects of the cards. There’s truth to the meme that Monopoly Deal and Uno test friendships and family bonds.

Cards Against Humanity

This is for the older kids, probably 16+ and up. Cards of Humanity is a game where it is socially accepted to say the most heinous and scandalous lines. It can feel like a test of one’s humanity: just how evil can one be anyway?

But that’s the “interesting” part of the game. It gives a glimpse to kids what kind of craziness can happen in the world. They also get to see the “humor” of their friends. As many say, true friends often share the same ideas whenever they impulsively think about committing crimes.

Dug2ngan

While the first three games are in English, Dug2ngan is a homegrown Filipino game that teaches kids how to form words in Filipino. Each card has a syllable from the Filipino language printed on it, helping kids form words. The one who forms the most words once the deck is used up wins.

The best part is, it’s a game that can use various languages like Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, and the like. The players just need to agree on it.

Anomia

Ever have those moments where you just forget the name of an item, even if it’s right in front of you? That’s what this party game simulates: Anomia is a game that challenges how quickly one thinks. When players have two cards that match, they have to name an item in the opponent’s batch. The winner is the one who has the most cards.

Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates

If there’s any game that will reveal one’s tastes, it’s Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates. Meant for older kids or young adults like 18+ and up, Red Flags: The Game of Terrible Dates has a simple mechanic: you have to ruin what looks like a perfect date. Each card in the player’s hand is a “flaw” which can ruin the combination, and the players have to defend their choice to the card czar or the one who set up the combination.

Many YouTubers have actually streamed playing the game, as it is also available online.

There are so many fun party games out there!

For Filipinos, parties are often big and not too fond of card games. However, when we have kids who prefer more intimate parties, these party games do just that. They create opportunities for deep conversations and also challenge them to understand various things about people.

The games are easily bought online, either from their website or Lazada/Shoppee. Even if the game is not “official” (or just a copycat), the important part is—the kids have fun and they learn. Happy playing!