Playing card suits Coloring Pages

Playing card suits

Playing cards have four marks: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.
These marks are called suits.
There are 13 cards for each mark, making 52 cards in all. With one or two Jokers added, you get one full set of playing cards!

The shape of each mark

The heart is a heart shape with rounded sides.
The diamond is a tall diamond shape.
The club looks like three round leaves together with a short stem.
The spade looks like an upside-down heart with a sharp tip and a short stem.
Clubs and spades look a little alike. But clubs have three round circles, and spades have a sharp tip.

"Trump" is only used in Japan

Did you know? Calling them "Trump" is something people do only in Japan!
In English, they are called playing cards.
In English, "trump" means the strongest card in a game, or the trump card.
Long ago, Japanese people heard visitors from other countries say "Trump!" (meaning "Trump card!") during a game. People think that is how Japan started calling the cards "Trump"!

Friends of hearts

The heart on a playing card is the same shape as this heart mark.
The first coloring page shows the four marks lined up in a row. The second coloring page is a pattern with lots of the four marks scattered around.
Have fun coloring them while thinking of games you play, like Old Maid or Memory!

Cards everyone can play with

With just one deck of cards, you can play many different games with your family and friends.
You can play Old Maid, Sevens, Memory, and Speed.
The cool thing about playing cards is that changing the rules makes a whole new game!
Once you learn the marks and numbers, even little kids can play together.
Memory is a game where you flip over cards to match the same numbers. Looking closely at the marks and numbers is great practice for your memory!

Take a look at the back of the cards too

Every card has the very same pattern on its back.
This is so no one can tell which card it is from the back!
There are many different card patterns, so check them out at the store!

Color in Red and Black

On real Playing card suits, hearts and diamonds are red, and clubs and spades are black.
If you try these colors first, your picture will look just like real cards.
For the black parts, dark gray or navy blue looks super cool too!

Try Using 4 Colors!

It is also fun to pick 4 different colors for each mark.
For example, pink for hearts, yellow for diamonds, green for clubs, and blue for spades.
If you pick your colors first, you can spot the same marks right away on the second scattered pattern!

Outline to Make Them Look Like Real Cards

If you draw an outline along the edges of the marks with a darker color, the marks will pop out.
The trick is to use a bright color inside and a dark color for the outline!

Color the Gaps Like a Table

Try coloring the spaces between the marks on the second page in green.
It will look like a fancy pattern, just like a green table used for card games!

Add Patterns Around the Marks

It is also fun to add your own patterns around the 4 marks on the first page.
Line up small dots or lines to make your very own card design.
When you finish, you can cut them out to make your own cards!

Think About the Joker Too

If you were to draw a Joker card yourself, what kind of picture would you draw? Try thinking of your own ideas, like a clown or a dragon!

Playing card suits have original shapes

People say that the 4 Playing card suits came from real shapes.
Spades were swords, clubs were wooden clubs, diamonds were money (coins), and hearts were goblets, a kind of cup.
The name "spade" comes from "spada," the Italian word for sword.

One year and Playing card suits

Each of the Playing card suits has 13 cards, so there are 52 cards in total.
One year has about 52 weeks, and there are 4 seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. It is a fun coincidence that the card numbers and the calendar are so similar!

The Joker is a special card

The Joker is a special card that does not belong to any of the 4 Playing card suits.
Depending on the game, it can be the strongest card, or it can be the card that makes you lose if you hold it.
The "Old Maid" in the game of Old Maid is this Joker card.

Playing card suits look different in other countries

Some Playing card suits have different shapes depending on the country.
Cards in Germany and Spain have suits shaped like acorns, leaves, and wooden clubs, too.