Jacques Original Happy Families

A classic, original game with unforgettable illustrations. In terms of the depictions, definite echoes of Thackeray's style of caricature (check out The Rose and the Ring, and his remarkable - and frequently omitted - illustrations for Vanity Fair.) Warmest recommendation, and delighted to see this echo from my father's childhood still in print.

Good old nostalgic game, brings back memories of family life when I was younger, somethings are better never changing so lets drink to the future and bring back a few things from the past.

We had another version of this Happy Familiies game from Mothercare and that was pretty limited as it only had 6 families in it. Even though this has more families in the pack, it still doesn't make the game any more interesting. We've found that you pretty much suss who has got the card you need because younger children sort out their cards in piles on the floor and it's hard not to look at the piles they are picking from and have got left. The only solution would be to sort the cards in separate rooms and keep going back and forth! It amuses my 5 year old but for anyone older, it's just boring

Had a pack when I was knee high to a grasshopper. Found these by accident and bought a pack for our grandson - should liven up Boxing day if my memory serves me right. These are a spot on copy of the old fashioned cartoon characters, high quality and well worth buying (especially if you want to annoy the other players)

There's a bit of strategy in this old favourite of a game, which can be nervewracking. It's clever and fun.

This is a very simple but enjoyable card game which we played as kids back when there were no playstations, x-boxes and very few TV's. It's appeal is still valid & our grandkids aged 5 & 6 love it.

Enjoyed playing with my great niece.Good to explain about some of the dated professions.Really pleased with them.

Got this card game last Christmas. We had a lot of fun with it after Christmas dinner. The only thing is there was a bit of squabbling going on when someone started cheating!

I grew up playing happy families and this is the deck we used. Lots of fun and teaches kids good manners :)

Happy Families is an old-school children's card game, but the illustrations (allegedly by Tenniel but uncredited - Tenniel did the original illustrations for Alice in Wonderland) are what take it right over the top and make it more interesting than "Go Fish" even for older kids and adults. That, and the rigorous insistence on manners ("you didn't say 'thank you!'") breaking up streaks and leading to critical turnovers in the game.What I especially love, is that the game is self-put-away. That is, when the game is finished, the winner - and it's a winner-take-all game, so know that going in - has all the cards in nice, neat sets, ready to be slid back into the box.The cards I received seem sturdy enough, about like ordinary off-brand playing cards. They are slightly undersized, which is good because you typically have to hold a lot of them in your hand. The writing is on the small side, but that ceases to be a problem the more you play.In all, this is a classic card game that deserves more widespread play!

I replaced my Mum's originals with this, she is really happy. Thanks :)