A.B.C. Educational Cards

This 36-card deck is a simple means for helping small children learn letters and numbers. There is one card for each letter of the alphabet, and one for each numeral 1-10. On the back is the letter or number, on the front the same with an illustration (e.g. Z "zebra" with a picture of a zebra; or "5 balls" with a picture).

Simple games include:

• Simple Spelling Game. Spread out the letter cards, and pick out the first and last letter of a common word, e.g. C-T. Let the child figure out what goes in between, with help if necessary.

• Easy Counting. Have the child count the items out loud on the illustrated side, or have two numbers and have them figure out what the sum is.

Some editions have rules for advanced games:

• A.B.C. Rummy. Deal 7 cards to each player. In a turn, draw 1, lay down 3 or more consecutive letters or numbers and/or add to existing sequences, and discard 1. First one out cards wins 5 points per card in others' hands.

• A.B.C. Kasino. Deal 4 to each player and 4 face up in the middle. In a turn a player plays a card to the table, capturing other cards if adjacent to them, or leaving it there if unable to capture. After the cards are played out, deal 4 more each, etc., until all cards are played. Remaining cards go to the last capturer. Most cards captured wins.

• Snip & Snap. Deal the deck to 2 players, who take turns exposing the top card in their pile. They "Snip" each time, unless the card is adjacent to the opponent's last card, when he says "Snap" and captures his whole face-up pile. Continue until someone has all the cards.