Instructive and Educational Playing Cards & Games
Many packs are instructive or educational and designed to facilitate learning rather than just for play. Educational playing cards are a great way to learn new facts, or to review information that you already know. When the design of the illustrations is appropriate and amusing this helps to engage the imagination in the topic which can then be memorised more easily.
• See also: History of Educational and Instructive playing cards►
Temple Press War Planes
“War Planes” playing cards for aircraft recognition published by Temple Press Limited, c.1940.
The Famous Dinosaurs Playing Cards
54 different dinosaurs, both large and small, illustrated by Cecilia Fitzsimons.
The Royal Historical Game of Cards
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by Simon Wintle
The Royal Historical Game of Cards invented by Jane Roberts and published by Robert Hardwicke, c.1840.
Unique Australian Animals
‘Unique Australian Animals’ educational playing cards designed by Lawton Ho, Australia, 2004.
University of Essex
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by Matt Probert
A deck of cards produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006.
Uta Garuta
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by Anthony Lee
These cards are basically a poetry anthology (the Hyakunin Isshu, or 百人一首), transposed onto cards.
Vesalius Anatomy Card Game
Celebrating the work of Andreas Vesalius in the quincentenary year of his birth.
Weights and Measures
“Weights and Measures” card game by John Jaques & Son, Ltd., c.1910, a reminder of some of our more archaic units of measurement.
Welsh Language Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Welsh Language Playing Cards designed by Richard Ruston-Burgess, made in Wales, 2020.
Wie Wird das Wetter
Wie Wird das Wetter, a Black Peter game about the weather created by Gunter Eckhardt, published by Rudolf Forkel,1952.
Wild Flowers of America
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by Matt Probert
"Discover Wildflowers of America Playing Cards" manufactured by Carta Mundi (US), and created by Mark Hamilton and Sea to Sky Photography.
William Warter
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by Simon Wintle
William Warter's Proverbial Cards, which carry illustrations of old English proverbs, were first published in 1698.
Winstanley Geographical cards
Facsimile of Winstanley’s Geographical cards produced by Harold & Virginia Wayland, 1967.
World Tour
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by Simon Wintle
World Tour Quiz Game published by Tactic Group for Finnair involves recognising flags from different countries and their locations on the map.
Youthscape playing cards
Two packs of playing cards offering emotional help and support to young people.