Happy Families is a traditional British card game usually with a specially made set of picture cards, featuring illustrations of fictional families of four, most often based on occupation types. The object of the game is to collect complete families, and the game is similar to Go Fish and Quartets. [2] Above: four cards from an 1880s edition of Happy Families published by John Jaques & Son, 102 Hatton Garden, London, which included 11 families of four members each. Jaques' Happy Families was originally published in 1851 and shown at the Great Exhibition of that year. It was an instant success, rapidly superseding similar games in which players collected sets of four cards. More... For example, if a child wants to play with cars but can't yet reach them without climbing up on furniture or standing on boxes, then consider purchasing an attachment that allows them to play with cars without having to stand up or climb up things.

M Gill went for Doctor, Lawyer, General, Minister etc although there were a few unsavoury characters thrown in too, like a Smuggler. Happy Families is one of the most popular card games ever devised, and it comes in many different guises. When you're shopping educational toys for your child, the first thing to consider is the age of the toy. Educational toys should be age appropriate, otherwise they will not be helpful in developing skills or learning concepts. Jaques may have been influenced by this game when they published their “Happy Families” in about 1851. For example, if you are buying a toy for a toddler that is too advanced, they may get bored and turn to other activities while they wait for the toy to be played with. Thus, early learning toys are appropriate for toddlers, instead of too complex toys.Happy Families is a traditional card game played in the UK, usually with a specially made set of picture cards, featuring illustrations of fictional families of four, most often based on occupation types. The idea of the game is to collect whole families. This is done by asking another player whether they have a certain card. If they don`t have it, it is their turn to ask. If they do, they have to pass it to the first player, who can ask again. Play continues until a player matches all of his or her cards into family groups. The game can adapted for use with an ordinary set of playing cards. Above: cards from The Round Card Game of Happy Families, published by Chad Valley Games, England. 1914 more → Spear’s Games Happy Families, c.1925 In all cases they offer the same benefits for early learners for developing matching and pairing skills, communication and social etiquette. The Happy Families Card Game is easy to learn, making it ideal for younger children who are just learning how to play card games. The colorful and engaging illustrations on each card help to make the game more interesting and enjoyable for children. The above notes have been taken from the article "Happy Families... an old game with new faces" published in the Newsletter of the English Playing Card Society, edited by Major Donald Welsh, Vol.9 No.38, Nov.1992, pp.78-81.

When a player completes a family they place it face-down in front of them. Play continues in this way until no families are separated among different players. The player with the most completed families wins. Rex's main interest was in card games, because, he said, they were cheap and easy to get hold of in his early days of collecting. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of Pepys games and his book is on the bookshelves of many.

The player whose turn it is asks another player for a specific card: the asking player must hold a card of the same family. [3] If the asked player has the card, they must give it to the requester, and the requester then takes another turn. If the asked player does not have the card, they say "not at home" and it becomes the asked player's turn. The Happy Families Card Game is suitable for children aged 4 years and above and can be played by 3 players and more. Cheatwell Games: BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED - original illustrations from decades gone by. Based on classic children's stories. It is curious that "John Bull" is not called Happy Families although the sets are described as "families" on the instruction card. more→ Anne Abbot in around 1840 to entertain her children and later sold to W & S B Ives of Salem Massachusetts.

In Germany and Austria, the game is known as Quartett or Ablegspiel (in Upper Austria and Styria) and is not restricted to sets of four people, but covers other topics such as farm animals or tractors. The game can also be adapted for use with an ordinary set of playing cards. We’re Gibsons, the family-owned jigsaw puzzle and board game company. Founded in London in 1919, we’ve been entertaining generations for over 100 years and our passion is creating the best quality products for all ages.Above: cards from Cheery Families manufactured by De La Rue, London, c.1890. More... The Chad Valley Games Happy Families, c.1914