Card games are great for wet weather days, during the holidays, down on the beach or for playing with extended family. Here are some of our favourites…

Knock

Aim: To be the first player to use all their cards.

Number of players: 2-6 Age: 5+

Preparation: Remove jokers and deal each player five cards. Place remaining cards face down on the table turning over the top one.

Gameplay: The youngest person goes first, looks at their cards, and tries to match either the number/picture of the revealed card or its suit. If they can match, they play that card and the next player does the same. Anyone who can’t match either suit or number/face must pick up a card from the table pile. If this matches they can play it and it’s the next player’s go, if it doesn’t they must pick up another card. If, after picking up three cards, they still can’t go, play moves on.

Some cards have special features. An eight makes the next person miss their go, Aces change direction of play and twos mean the next person picks up two cards unless they have a two. In this case the following person has to pick up four cards and so on.

Once a player has one card left they must shout KNOCK. Failing to do this during their turn results in the penalty of having to pick up three cards. Play continues until one person finishes all their cards. Remaining players tally up the score of the cards in their hands; Ace is one, all other cards are face value; picture cards are 10.

We play a number of hands and people remain in the game until they hit 101 points (we also have a dog’s life). The winner’s the last person left in the game.

You’ll probably use up the table cards in the course of the game. Simply shuffle all discarded cards and place back in a pile face down.

Beat your Neighbour (aka Beggar my Neighbour)

Aim: To be the last player standing holding all the cards.

Number of players: 2-6 Age: 6+

Preparation: Deal out all the cards (minus jokers) evenly between players.

Gameplay: Everyone holds their cards in a pile, facedown and doesn’t look at them for the duration of the game. The youngest person goes first and plays the top card from their pile discarding it into the middle of the table.

Cards two through to 10 have no significance, so if any of these are played the game moves to the next player and they play their top card. If an Ace is played then the subsequent player has four attempts to play a picture card or another Ace. If a King’s played, the next player has three attempts to play another picture card or Ace; a Queen played means the following player has two attempts to play a picture card or Ace, and if a Jack is played the next player has just one attempt (ie Jack’s are the best card to have).

If that player fails – that is they can’t play a picture card or Ace – the previous player wins all the cards on the table, which they put at the bottom of their pile. They then lay down their top card and play resumes. If they succeed, play moves to the next person who has four, three, two or one attempt/s to play a picture card or Ace dependent on what was played.

If you use up all your cards, you’re out. The person that ends up with all the cards is the winner.

Pig

There are many variations on this card game, here’s ours…

Aim: To get four cards that are the same denomination (eg four Queens).

Number of players: 3-13 (4-7 is optimum) Age: 5-13 years

Preparation: From a deck of cards, separate out as many quartets/sets of denominations as there are players. For example, if three people are playing sort out three quartets as shown below. After separating these out, shuffle and deal four cards to each player.

Gameplay: Everyone looks at their cards and then simultaneously passes a card they don’t need to the player on their left. Play continues until someone completes their set of four matching cards. At this point, the player puts their finger on their nose. All other players must copy this action. The last person to do this is the loser. We continue until someone has three strikes, at which point the person with the least strikes is the winner.

Poker – Texas Hold’em

It might not sound too child-friendly but this version is a fairly easy game to pick up (harder to get very good at though). It’s really great for getting children to work out permutations and calculate probability. There’s also a strong bluffing element!

Aim: To make the best five card poker hand every round and win all the chips.

Number of players: 2-23 Age: 8+

Preparation: Remove the jokers from the pack. Choose a banker for the first round and allocate an equal number of poker chips to each player (in different denominations). The banker deals two cards to each player.

Gameplay: Everyone looks at their cards. The person immediately to the banker’s left has to put in the ‘small blind’ (a predetermined amount, say a chip with the face value of 10). The person to their left is the ‘big blind;’ they have to put in double the small blind. The blinds kick off the betting and have to be played at every hand regardless of whether cards are good or bad.

Betting

The person after the big blind then decides if they want to play their hand, fold or raise the stakes. If they want to play, they have to match the big blind. If they feel they’ve got a particularly strong hand they can even add more chips (or perhaps bluff). The next player then has to make the same decision based on their hand. This carries on until it’s back to the person who’s the big blind. If the stakes have been raised since they posted the blind, they must match ‘call’ if they want to stay in. They can also opt to raise. If they do this then there is another round of betting where, once again, people must decide it they want to call, fold or raise. Once the betting has finished, all the chips bet up until this point are put into the middle (the pot).

The flop

The dealer then deals three cards face up. This is known as ‘the flop’. The person on the dealer’s left then decides what to do based on the five cards they have at their disposal (two in their hand and the three ‘community cards’ on the table).

They can choose to bet or ‘check’ ie not bet. If they check, the next person can also do this. In fact everyone playing can do this. However, if someone decides to bet then the subsequent player has to call the bet if they want to continue playing. They can also raise; again the next player has to match/call if they want to remain in. This carries on until it’s back to the person who initiated the round. If the stakes have been raised since their go, they must call or otherwise fold. The game then continues to the next phase (turn card). Similarly, if everyone has checked play moves on. All chips bet that round are put into the pot.

The turn card and the river card

The dealer then turns over a fourth card. A further betting round continues as above. Now there are six cards in play there’s a higher chance that people have completed flushes, straights, three-of-a-kinds etc (or could be bluffing) so betting could change; watch out for this. Finally the fifth card – the river card – is dealt and the last betting round takes place. When there are no more raises, the players left in reveal their cards to everyone. The person with the highest hand (as shown in the graphic above) takes all the chips that have been played.

If someone has bet all their chips and lost, they are out of the game.

Next hand and finishing the game

For the next hand, the person to the left of the previous dealer now becomes the new dealer and the subsequent players to their left post the small and big blinds respectively. You keep playing hands until one person has won all the chips. You can also play until someone has won a certain amount if you want a shorter game!

Chase the Ace

After the poker masterclass, here’s one of those card games that requires little explanation and is based completely on luck. Again there are several versions, here’s one.

Aim: To not be left holding the Ace. There’s no overall winner, just one person that loses.

Number of players: Four or more Age: 6+ years

Preparation: From a deck of cards remove the jokers and one Ace. Deal out the remaining cards.

Gameplay: Everyone looks at their hand and discards any matching pairs they have of the same denomination; for example two Jacks or two fours. They place them face up in the middle of the table so everyone can see.

Following this action, the person who has the most cards in their hand goes first. They hold up their cards to the player on their left making sure they can’t see them. This player selects one at random. If they can make a pair now this card has been added to their hand they place it in the centre. If they can’t they’re just left holding more cards. Play continues clockwise in the same way with the next player offering their cards to their neighbour.

If you pair up all of your cards, you’re ‘safe’ and have finished your game. The other players carry on until one player is left holding the single Ace (remember you removed one before the game started). They are the loser.

A few other card games to try

Crib/cribbage is one of the classic card games, but a bit more challenging. It can be played as a pair, as a three and as partner crib (two players on each team). My eldest learnt it when she was eight and really enjoys it. Here are the rules.

Kraker Laken Poker (Cockroach poker) a family favourite where bluffing is key and the aim of the game is not to lose. There’s one loser and everyone else shares in the victory. It bears no resemblance to poker other than the bluffing. Find out how to play here.

Solo card games such as patience are also good to learn as are any of the huge variants of rummy.

What are your favourite card games?

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Pre-relaxation of lockdown rules

We’re big fans of eating out, so our last pre-lockdown meal out on March 15th felt like a very long time ago. In early lockdown we didn’t go anywhere other than having a daily walk. With the relaxation of some rules, we began going a little further afield and became accustomed to taking picnics to quiet spots.

Restaurants and relaxation of lockdown rules – our experience

We didn’t take any food with us as we knew at the least we’d be able to get takeaway from somewhere. We didn’t want to head to a potentially very busy pub, but we were open to assessing the ‘eating in’ situation at restaurants once we got there.

On arrival in Whitstable we headed to The Lobster Shack – a great place we’ve eaten at many times before. It was only 11.30am but we wanted time to do some reconnaissance before anyone got too hungry.

We were met outside by one of the staff; it was open for dining in and they had availability. The waitress explained about the app ordering process, she also explained about the one way system for entering and exiting the restaurant. It all sounded good, but still slightly cautious we opted for a table outside.

It was very breezy outside and as it was early still we decided to venture inside. Whilst the outside had started to get quite busy, we were the first indoor customers, which was great.

The tables

The first thing I noticed was at least half of the tables had been removed and there were more than two metres between each. There was nothing on the table except a laminated page with instructions on how to order. There was also a very big area for service with a wide gap from the bar/pass to the nearest table.

The app

Once at our table, we downloaded the aforementioned app. You order your food and pay via your phone. It was a very straightforward process and payment was instant. Everything was done without any interaction with the staff.

Service

Staff were calm and collected. Most were wearing full PPE. Our drinks were brought out without fanfare and it all felt very well organised. My mind was truly set at ease. Shortly after, our food arrived with similar efficiency and modesty. The cutlery came in a box alongside sachets of condiments and napkins.

Toilets

The usual indoor toilets were closed and it was outdoor toilets only. You could wash your hands as usual in the cubicle and there was a sanitisation station outside as well (as you had no choice but to touch the lock to turn it, this was a sensible addition).

Overall experience

It might have been a relaxation of lockdown rules, but what we experienced was a very tight ship with lots of well-thought out and well-executed procedures. It felt completely safe and though it was a rather different experience to the past, I was surprised at how quickly we eased into it and really enjoyed ourselves. The restaurant was empty inside when we arrived but at full capacity as we finished our meal. Even at ‘full’ it was calm, distanced and safe. The food was topnotch too. Well done The Lobster Shack!

Tips for eating out now

• If it doesn’t feel right, don’t stay
• If it’s a place you have to book get on the website weeks in advance. With limited covers due to social distancing, places are getting booked very quickly
• If it’s a place you don’t have to book, get there early – it’s just more pleasant and you’ll avoid disappointment
• Have sanitiser on you just in case
• Keep an open mind – it won’t be the dining out experience you’re used to but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy

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We went to Lumiere London. It kicked off at 6.30pm and involved a lot of walking for the girls so we only saw a few of the installations. However, we loved what we did see. Then suddenly it was 8.30pm, we were caught in a massive scrum on Regent Street and we hadn’t eaten (the kids usually eat 5.30pm-6pm).

Being the West End on a Saturday night it was heaving. We tried a few places without luck. We got away from the crowds and navigated the back streets. By now hunger was really setting in and we were giving up hope of ever finding a table. I then spotted a Pizza Express. It was very busy, but worth a shot…

The very cheerful waiter who greeted us was really helpful and reconfigured the tables to accommodate five of us. We sat straight down and the menus were brought out promptly.

Sofia having lots of fun at a Pizza Express party

Pizza Express Children’s Menu 

The children’s menus had the familiar format: word searches, stickers and colouring along with the food options. Occupied immediately, the kids forgot how hungry they were. The £6.95 ‘Piccolo’ menu includes a dough ball starter (which comes with a child-friendly salad), main of pizza or pasta, and dessert, complete with a bambinoccino (frothy milk with a dusting of chocolate powder). I think it represents good value, although unlike the Carluccio’s children’s menu (35p cheaper) doesn’t include a drink.

Starters were brought out nice and quickly, which is great as my children go from being slightly hungry to ‘famished’ in a matter of minutes. They absolutely adored the dough balls and their pizza mains (all with different toppings) were finished with similar gusto.

And for the adults…

I had one of the newer additions to the menu: the American Hottest. This boasts pepperoni, hot green and roquito peppers, fresh red chilli, ‘nduja sausage, tomato, buffalo mozzarella and chilli oil. I loved it, but it was too hot to handle for Matt. He plumped for the tamer American Hot. Mine was washed down with a very smooth Chianti Riserva DOCG, which was available by the glass.

It was getting extremely late so we didn’t have time to stay for dessert, but the staff were very happy to parcel up the girls’ three chocolate brownies for us to take away.

Pizza Express – an old favourite

Pizza Express is not fusion, it’s not funky or quirky, but it consistently provides a really good, efficient, family dining experience. My dad’s Italian, and we used to go to Pizza Express when I was little. That’s a compliment as there are very few non-Italian pizza places that he would grace.

Sofia’s request on her birthday was to go to Pizza Express for dinner after school. I’m on their mailing list so get loads of money-off voucher codes. My birthday is eight days after Sofia’s, so I had a voucher for a free bottle of Prosecco, wine or beers – obviously meant to be used for my birthday celebrations with lots of friends. Despite the fact that it was just three children and me, I was still able to use the voucher. They even kept the wine in the fridge for me to take home afterwards!! I looked like a bit of a wino, but hey.

Pizza Express party

Sofia has now been to two pizza-making parties at Pizza Express and came back raving about them, so definitely one to consider for the future.

• You might be interested in other party ideas. 

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I started flicking through to see if there were any ideas that could be adapted for a thirty-somethings girls’ night in.   I reckon there are…

Girls’ night in ideas

Book’s version: Movie Star Punch

• Lemonade
• Fresh orange juice
• Strawberries
• Mint leaves
• Lemon slices

My version: Negroni Punch 

I love a classic Negroni aperitif – one part gin, one part vermouth, one part Campari (a bit of orange peel as a garnish) – but this punch sounds like a great, longer drink alternative.

Book’s version: Plait perfection 

A step-by-step guide to creating a French and fishtail plait.

My version: I nearly always wear my hair down and sometimes run straighteners through it if it looks really bad of a morning. I commented that a friend’s hair always looks nice (not over the top, just casually styled). She said it was really quick and easy to do – all part of the blow-dry apparently. She said we should organise a girls’ night in and she’d show me and others how. I want to do this.

Book’s version: Get swishing

“Swishing is when you swap clothes you no longer want with your friends.”

This would work on the school run

My version: Much as I would actually love to do this, the fact that I’m 5ft nothing is slightly limiting. However, accessories would be good. I don’t accessorise much at all so this could provide the opportunity!

Book’s version: Fun Times 

A pure and simple games night with the girls, with the suggestion of everyone bringing around their favourite board game to play.

My version: Who’s in the Bag? (always great comedy value) with plenty of Prosecco followed by the Top Gun drinking game. Also, I’d take round the surprise hit of 2023/2024 Chicken vs Hotdog. It’s a silly game, but so much fun; it went down a storm at the New Year’s Eve party!

Book’s version: Movie Night 

The suggestion is a ‘movie marathon’.

My version: Not sure I’d have the attention span for back-to-back films in one night. However, I’d definitely be up for a Sex and the City, Father Ted, The Sopranos or Cold Feet marathon.

Sofia is already asking if she can buy this book. I can really see the appeal. Alongside the inspiration for different themed nights in are recipes, craft ideas, quizzes (think Cosmopolitan mag quizzes but more age-appropriate), games and activities. I now really want to organise a girls’ night in.

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I’m no stranger to a Wetherspoons pub or Michelin-starred dining. Both have their place. However, for me the holy grail is a smart pub that serves great food in nice surroundings. Oh yes, it also needs to be relaxed and  family-friendly.

The Old Plough

On New Year’s Day we decided we were in need of a walk. My husband Matt suggested Norbury Park in Surrey and we headed out. We couldn’t find it and then the girls started moaning that they were hungry.  I spotted a pub – The Old Plough – and we swiftly did a U turn.

Bar menu at The Old Plough

The Old Plough has a real charm but isn’t twee. It was packed and no tables were available in the restaurant until 3pm. We were invited to wait at the bar in case a table became available in the bar area where we’d be able to have the full restaurant menu. We never made it to a table and instead took root at the bar and ordered bar snacks.

The bar area was very cosy and featured armchairs and a fire. However, we were more than happy perched on bar stools (with the girls looking worryingly at ease). We went for cocktail sausages with a mustard and honey glaze, nachos and calamari. All three of these can be hit and miss in a pub and have a tendency to be rather heavy and greasy. However, the sausages were really great quality with a perfectly balanced glaze, the calamari had lovely light, crisp batter and the nachos weren’t claggy with cheese; they were actually light with the accompanying salsas really fresh. We were very impressed and decided that we’d have to sample the full menu very soon. We headed off for our walk but never did find Norbury Park.

The Old Plough’s restaurant menu

Children’s food and starters

Fast forward a week and with my visiting mother- and father-in-law, we returned; this time with a reservation. We recognised a few people there from last time so knew that it must be popular with locals (usually a good sign). We were immediately escorted to our table. The restaurant wasn’t very busy at that time, but within the hour was packed out.

The service was attentive but not overbearing and the menu was quite varied and extensive without trying to do everything. We ordered beef burgers in buns with home cut chips for two of our daughters and sausages, chips and peas for the other. The waitress immediately asked if we wanted the children’s food to come out with the adult starters.

Sausages and burgers can vary tremendously on quality. These were top-notch and although I didn’t try the chips I was told they were delicious and crispy. The portions were very large yet reasonably priced. I was the only one drinking and had a glass of Prosecco to start. Matt and I had starters of bang bang peanut satay chicken with crunchy oriental vegetable salad (£7.50) and crispy fried sesame king prawns with wasabi and lime mayonnaise (£7.50). Both were very tasty. Again the batter for the prawns was crispy and light. The salad with the prawns was also oriental in style, very fresh and crunchy.

Mains

My mother-in-law, mindful that we were having a big curry in the evening, went for a lighter bite of steak, mustard mayonnaise, roasted onions, tomato and rocket served on ciabatta (£7.95). This came served with a choice of soup, salad or home cut chips. They omitted the onions at her request without problem. I’m sure she’d be the first to admit that she can be quite fussy, but it went down very well, with the only criticism being that it was too large a portion to finish!

My father-in-law, due to illness, doesn’t have a huge appetite and is rather limited on what he fancies eating. He plumped for a children’s portion of fish and chips. He really enjoyed it and it was great to see him eating well. The batter was very nice and crisp and the chips had already had the seal of approval.

Children’s portion of fish and chips (with peas)

Matt and I, not so mindful about eating big again for dinner went for one of the specials: Beef, mushroom and blue cheese pastry pie accompanied with mash, honey-glazed carrots and red cabbage (£13.95). The pie was delicious and the mash was wonderfully smooth and creamy. I’m rather a vegetable dodger and cooked carrots are far from a favourite of mine. However, they weren’t soft, soggy and flavourless, instead having a nice bite to them and a lovely sweetness (but not too sweet) courtesy of the glaze. They served plenty of wines by the glass. They also had a list of specials, off which I ordered a very nice and decently-priced Nero d’Avola.

My steak, mushroom and blue cheese pie

Dessert and afters

I was rather full so bypassed dessert, but my in-laws shared a pistachio cheesecake with greek yoghurt, honey and raspberries (£5.95). The feedback was that it was very tasty, but slightly over-baked. They also had coffees, which they said were very good. Whilst I did a toilet run with the kids, Matt ordered me a Brandy Alexander!?! Although part of the after dinner cocktail menu, it went down amazingly well at lunch. Heavy on the brandy – delicious!

We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit and I’m looking forward to returning in the warmer months so we can experience some al fresco dining (and perhaps combine with a visit to nearby Wisley Gardens) but in the meantime would like to go back to try out the evening menu.

A few more details:

• High chairs
• Baby change
• Friendly dogs welcome in the bar and garden (on a lead)
• Childrens’ menu
• Newspapers
• WiFi
• Car park
• Close to Cobham and Stoke d’Abernon station (Waterloo line)

Whilst well-behaved children are very welcome at The Old Plough, they are only allowed in the restaurant until 8pm and in the pub area until 7pm. Also, those expecting packs of colouring books and crayons on arrival for the kids will be disappointed. I personally like that differentiation.

You might also be interested in: Date Night at Dans le Noir?

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noun, informal

A prearranged occasion on which an established couple, especially one with children, go for a night out together.

It’s safe to say that my husband Matt and I, pre-children, would certainly have been described as bon viveurs. There wasn’t such a thing as ‘date night’, we just ate out about four times a week and drank far more than we should. However, this changed with the arrival of our first daughter and even more so when we added to our number with twins.

Dans le Noir

Nights out on our own are now few and far between so I was pretty chuffed when we got a voucher for Dans le Noir? restaurant in Clerkenwell, London (there are also ones in Paris, New York, Barcelona, St.Petersburg and Kiev) as a present. Dinner at Dans le Noir is in the total darkness, guided and served by blind people.

What happened?

We started in a well lit bar area at the front. First off all your belongings go into a locker. NO MOBILE PHONE! I’d left the number of the restaurant with our babysitters, so I wasn’t panicking about the temporary loss of my iPhone. It was actually quite liberating.

A glass of Champagne and a Campari and Soda later and the concept had been explained to us and we had selected a menu from a choice of four: meat, fish, vegetarian and surprise. We opted to have the two courses paired with their chosen wine selections. I was expecting the ‘experience’ itself to overshadow the food, which I thought would be fairly standard fare. I was therefore slightly surprised to see the £42 price tag for starter and main.

After ordering, we were introduced to our guide Roberto. I was instructed to place my hand on Roberto’s shoulder and my husband did the same on my shoulder. We were then led through, behind the black curtain and into absolute pitch darkness. Immediately it sounded so loud inside and I thought there must be 100s of people there. It was communal seating and Roberto informed us that we were the last two on the end of a table of six.  He also directed us towards our napkins, cutlery and wine glasses. We had no idea who we were sat next to and I spent the first few minutes thinking the man diagonal to me was actually speaking to me. I expected my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but they never did.

How was it?

I lost inhibitions at the same time as losing one of my senses; strangely, I really felt myself relax. I wasn’t preoccupied by how I looked and acted; wasn’t scrutinising others or messing about with my phone. It made me really focus on chatting to Matt and concentrate on what I was eating. An interesting date night, it would make an excellent first date as you really do focus on each other without distraction and you don’t feel self-conscious.

Cocktails at Giant Robot

I really enjoyed the food and thought that I had guessed the majority of what

I was eating (it turned out I was right on some, but completely missed other things). The wine didn’t taste fantastic on its own but was very pleasant when accompanied by the food.

We called Roberto over when we’d finished and were led back into the light squinting, and with Matt wearing a hefty canteen medallion. We were then told what our menus had contained. I’ll keep the specifics of the food we had a secret. The surprise menu indeed had some very surprising choices, but all very nice. I discovered my palette wasn’t as educated as I imagined. The wines were both varieties I really like (and which I would drink on their own ordinarily), so I was shocked I hadn’t thought much of them until paired with the food.

We had a debrief about what we’d eaten and were shown how the food was presented. We were astounded to see how beautifully it had been displayed – obviously this had been lost on us. I immediately felt bad that at one point I’d picked up some of my food with my hands after I’d been chasing it unsuccessfully around my plate with my fork for some time!

Last orders

We were buzzing from the experience and headed over to Giant Robot (now sadly departed) for some very expertly mixed cocktails. We rounded off the evening in the American Bar at The Savoy – an old haunt.

An extremely successful and very enjoyable  ‘date night’:  When’s the next one?

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