The Family Photo Game

We have collected a HUGE number of family photos over the years.

Many of them have been digitized, so we don't really NEED all those prints.

We didn't want to throw them away...so we made a GAME out of all the old photos!

The only problem: it isn't really a good idea to post too many family pictures online these days.

So I've made ugly alterations that make these instructions a little less lovely. Family safety is more important that a set of A+ instructions.

We hope you will have fun playing this game with YOUR family photos!

Supplies

Printed family pictures, card stock, scissors or paper cutter, printer (optional)

Step 1: Cut the Cards

Decide what SIZE will work best for you. If all of your photos are the same size, you won't need to do any cutting.

The game CAN be played with 4" x 6" photos, but you will need a lot of table space when playing.

I cut my photos to the same size as an Artist Trading Card: 3.5" x 2.5".

You will need at least fifty photos. More cards = MUCH MORE FUN!

Step 2: Make Some Point Cards

Cut card stock to the same size as the photos. If you want to print the "point cards," set that up on your printer. If you use ATC-sized cards, you can print the PDF shown here. Make at least twenty score cards.

Have some blanks, ready to fill out as needed. Every game is different.

Most of the time, you will need a LOT of one-point cards.

Step 3: Set Up the Game

Deal three cards to each player. Set the remaining cards in the center.

In this example, we have players A, B, and C.

Before the first player takes a turn, set up the "Picture Pool." The "Picture Pool" should always have three cards face up.

Step 4: Player a Takes a Turn

Player A has three cards to choose from.

The goal is to create a SET.

A SET is a group of three cards that have the same number of people on each card.

If the people are different, the set is worth ONE POINT.

If the set has the same person on each card, the set is worth THREE POINTS.

If the set has the same PAIR of people on each card, the set is worth SIX POINTS.

If the set has the same TRIO of people on each card, the set is worth TWELVE POINTS.

Player A does not have any matching PERSONS, but there is a TWO PERSON-TWO PERSON match.

Step 5: Player a Adds a Second Card to a Set

Player A has taken card 3 to begin a one-point set. (Two people on each card, but not the SAME people.)

Step 6: Replenish the Pool

Player A now needs to take a card from the pile to replenish the POOL.... so that it will be ready for Player B.

Step 7: Player B Chooses From the Three Cards in the Pool

Player B draws card 1 to begin to form a one-point set which has two people on each card.

Step 8: The Pool Is Ready for Player C

Since the card chosen by Player B was the top card of the pile, the pool does not need to be replenished.

Player C chooses card 3 to begin a set with three people on each card.

Step 9: Player C Replenishes the Pool

Before a player's turn is complete, that player replenishes the pool

Step 10: Player a Takes a Second Turn

Player A sees that card 3 can be used to complete a set of TWO-PERSON cards.

Step 11: Player a Adds the Third Card

Player A now has a SET. Since the people on the card do not match, it is a ONE-POINT set.

Step 12: Player a Adds a Point Card AND Replenishes the Pool

Player A adds a point card on top of the SET of three. Before doing anything else, Player A replenishes the pool.

Step 13: Player a Adds a Third Card to Their Playing Area

Whenever a player completes a set, that player adds a third card to the playing area. But the turn is not over. Completion of a SET allows the player to continue playing.

Step 14: Player a Gets to Choose Again

Player A chooses Card 1 to begin another one-point set. (One person, but it's not the same person.)

The pool does not need to be replenished, since Player A took the top card from the pile.

Step 15: Player A's Turn Is Complete

The pool has been replenished and is ready for Player B.

Step 16: Player B Forms a Set

Player B has the chance to complete a set. It is also a one-point set. Each card has two people... but not the SAME people.

Step 17: Player B Continues...

Player B adds a POINT CARD to the set, but does not need to replenish the pool before adding a third card to their playing area. Then Player B gets to draw another card to complete the turn. (Scroll through the pictures and make sure you understand each step of Player B's turn!)

Step 18: Player C: One Complete Turn

Player C picks card 3. This completes a one-point set, so a POINT CARD is added and the set is removed from the playing area. The playing pool is replenished. Player C picks a card to complete the playing area. Player C continues the turn by picking another card. This card (Card 1) is added to start a two-person set. Since Card 1 came from the top of the pile, the pool does not need to be replenished.

Step 19: Everyone Is TIED!

After four rounds of play, all three players are tied. It is now Player A's turn.

Step 20: Refusing a Card

In this example, Player B wants to score 3 points for a SET that has the same person on each card. None of the cards in the POOL will allow for this, and Player B does not want to add card 1 and get just one point instead of three.

So instead of drawing a card, Player B can remove the top card from the pile and cover either of the other two cards in the pool. This can be a good strategic play if the pool contains a card that has been sitting there for a long time. (That group of four has been sitting there since the start of the game!)

A REFUSAL can be done at any time, and can be a very strategic move. Imagine that the pool has a trio that is needed by Player C to complete a 12-POINT trio. Player B can refuse a card and cover that trio with the top card from the pile. (Of course, there could be another trio below it, but odds are good that Player B just denied Player C from a bunch of points!)

Step 21: Getting to Know the Cards

Our family has HUNDREDS of cards for this game. As we have played the game, we've learned some strategies.

The grandkids know that Gma and Gpa take a lot of vacation pictures together. So a Gma/Gpa card is a pretty good bet for a SIX POINT set!

They also know that Mommy-Daddy-FirstChild is a fairly common trio, so that can turn out to be a DOZEN points.

Step 22: Making Up Your Own Rules

Some of the fun is changing the rules to fit the way YOU want to play.

Perhaps on Uncle Joe's birthday, all Uncle Joe cards can be wild!

Perhaps everyone is missing cousin Rowan today. Every Rowan card gets five extra points.

Make as many point cards as you want.

Change the rules as often as you want.

The important thing is to have fun and enjoy family memories.