OY! games are wonderful tools for learning. The games are fast-paced and fun, and while some are perfect for younger children just learning their ABC’s, most are for older children who can spell. Six different games use 110 cards (105 letter cards with point values and five OY! cards).

In Line OY! every player gets nine cards, with the remaining cards forming the stock pile. The dealer places a Line of nine cards face up on the table and players take turns making words using at least one of the Line letters plus cards from their hands.

Quick OY! is an alphabet learning game in which all cards are dealt, and one card is placed face up. The first player has to play one within three letters forward or backward. For example if the starting card was “S”, you could lay a “P,” “Q,” “R,” “T,” “U,” or “V.” If an OY! card is played, the first to shout “OY!” wins all the cards in the play pile.

In Surprise OY!, the first player puts a letter card on the table and declares what the target word will be. The next player adds a letter to help form the target word, but after placing his letter may change the target word and rearrange the letters for the next player.

Yo Yo OY! is similar to Quick OY! except that, if the first player plays an “S,” and the next player plays a “V,” the play has to wrap in that direction of the alphabet, so that the next letter played has to be a “W,” “X,” “Y,” “Z,” or “A."

In Slapsell OY! players are dealt nine cards, then a target letter is turned up. Players have to use the target letter, plus at least two cards from their hand to form a word.

In the last game, Time OY! all the cards are dealt, then the first player lays four cards on the table, and uses at least two of them to form a word. The cards used to form the word are placed in a win pile, and those not used are left on the table. The next player lays out four cards and can use those, and the ones not used by the other player to form his word.

All games have variations or tips to make the game easier or harder, depending on the age or ability of the children playing. Also see 1-2-3 OY! in Mathematics section. - Stephanie