How to Play Trash (or Garbage)- Our Family's Favorite 7 Up Card Game

The Perfect “First” Card Game for Kids (Ages 3 to 10!)

I am always on the hunt for a game that’s simple enough for my 3-year-old but still engaging for my 6 and 9-year-olds. We needed a game that could teach the basics: number recognition, counting, and turn-taking, all without causing a meltdown.

Our family’s absolute favorite game for this is a simple card game we call “7 Up”.

You may also know this game by its more common name, “Trash” or “Garbage”, which is typically played with 10 cards.

The rules are so simple you can teach them in 30 seconds. I’ll teach you our super-simple “7 Up” version first (it’s the one my 3-year-old can play!) and then I’ll show you how to play the classic 10-card “Trash” version for older kids.

What You’ll Need

• Players: 2 or more.
• Deck: 1 standard 52-card deck for 2-3 players. Use 2 decks (or more) for 4+ players.
• Jokers: Optional! You can add Jokers as extra-powerful “wild cards.”

Version 1: Our “7 Up” Rules (Perfect for Ages 3-6)

This is the version we play most with our little ones. It’s fast, simple, and fantastic for number recognition.

1. The Goal: Be the first player to flip all 7 of your face-down cards to be face-up.

2. The Setup:

• Dealer shuffles and deals 7 cards face-down to each player.
• Each player arranges their cards in a single row. No peeking!
• These 7 spots represent the numbers 1 through 7 (Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
• Place the rest of the deck in the middle as a Draw Pile and flip the top card over to start the Discard Pile.

3. How to Play: The first player starts their turn.

• STEP 1: START YOUR TURN. Look at the top card of the Discard Pile.

  • If you can use it (if it’s an Ace-7 for a spot you still have face-down): You may pick it up.
  • If you can’t use it (or don’t want to): You must draw the top card from the Draw Pile.

• STEP 2: PLAY YOUR CARD.

  • If your card is an Ace-7: Place it in the correct spot in your row (Ace is 1, 2 is 2, etc.), and pick up the face-down card that was there.
  • Your turn continues! Look at the new card in your hand. If it’s another Ace-7 you can play, put it in its spot and flip the next card.

• STEP 3: END YOUR TURN.

  • Your turn ends when you flip over a card you can’t use (an 8-King, or a number you already have).
  • You must discard that “un-playable” card to the Discard Pile. Now it’s the next player’s turn.
  • Strategy Tip: Since you discard your unplayable card face-up, the next player might be able to grab it!

4. How to Win: The first player to get all 7 of their cards face-up wins the game!

Version 2: Classic “Trash” Rules (Ages 6+)

This is the full version, perfect for kids who know their numbers up to 10.

1. The Goal: Be the first player to flip all 10 of your face-down cards to be face-up.

2. The Setup:

• Dealer shuffles and deals 10 cards face-down to each player.
• Players arrange their cards in two rows of five (1-5 on top, 6-10 on bottom).
• These 10 spots represent the numbers 1 through 10 (Ace, 2… 10).
• Create the Draw and Discard piles.

3. How to Play: The gameplay is very similar, with a few key differences:

• Start Your Turn: Look at the top card of the Discard Pile.
  • If you can use it (it’s an Ace-10 or a Jack for a spot you need): You may pick it up.
  • If you can’t: You must draw the top card from the Draw Pile.
• Playable Cards: Ace (1) through 10 are all playable in their spots.
• Wild Cards: Jacks are WILD! You can place a Jack on any face-down spot. It acts as a placeholder for that number.
• Trash Cards: Queens and Kings are “trash.” If you draw one (or flip one over from your row), your turn ends immediately, and you discard it.

4. The “Wild Card” Rule (The Fun Part!): If you have a Jack in a spot (let’s say, the “4” spot) and you draw a “4”, you can:

1. Place the “4” in its correct spot.
2. Pick up the Jack.
3. Your turn continues! You can now use that Jack on any other face-down spot in your layout. This can lead to big, exciting turns!

5. How to Win: The first player to get all 10 spots filled (with numbers or Jacks) wins the round!