Best Chess Sets For Children: Fun and Educational Picks for Young Players
As a parent or educator, watching kids fall in love with chess is awesome. However, high-end chess sets and children rarely mix since the young ones can be tough on sets. That’s why finding children's chess sets is a must so they can learn to play in an enjoyable, fun way without any risk of damaging the pieces.
Now, before buying any chess set for your kids, there are a few factors you need to consider. These include their age, knowledge of the game, personal preferences, etc. That is why we will cover everything you need to know about chess sets for kids. In addition to that, we will also cover a couple of relevant products that caught our attention.
How to Choose the Ideal Children's Chess Set
Age Appropriateness
One key factor to consider is the kid's age. There is an extensive range of different complexities and designs made to suit various age groups. For example, younger kids may prefer chess sets with big, colorful pieces. These are not only visually appealing but also easy to handle.
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Moreover, chess sets with large pieces are safer for them as the risk of swallowing a piece is almost non-existent. But what if your kid is a bit older and safety isn’t that much of a concern anymore? Then, you can opt for traditional sets with regular-sized pieces and a classic design.
Make sure to check out How to Become Your Child's Best Chess Tutor!
Durability
Kids can often be unpredictable and rough with their toys. That is why you should always aim for chess sets made of sturdy materials. Such chess sets are usually made out of wood or durable plastics. Some of the most durable hardwoods are oak, maple, walnut, and mahogany.
Portability
If your child will be playing chess while traveling, you should consider portability. Since chess involves dozens of pieces, you should aim for sets that offer storage bags.
Still, if that doesn’t do it and you want even better portability, aim for a foldable chessboard. Such a chessboard may even include a lock so it doesn’t open that easily. This way, you can store the pieces inside the chess board and ensure they won't disappear.
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Chess Accessories
Aside from chess sets, several chess accessories can significantly enhance your child's playing experience. These accessories can range from storage cases to scorebooks. This way, it will be easier to introduce your children to the game of chess and help them learn even more complex things, such as chess notation, at a young age.
Make sure to check out our collection of Chess Books for Children! You will find 70+ books that will teach your kids to play chess and significantly boost their skills.
Personal Preferences
Last but not least, if the chess set isn’t a gift and you are not planning on surprising your kid with one, you should definitely talk to your child and discuss any personal preferences.
Best Children's Chess Sets
1. Magnetic Travel Chess & Checkers Set
This large magnetic chess set is ideal for traveling as it offers a snap-closing plastic box that measures up to 14” x 14” when open. The entire set is plastic, meaning you won’t have to worry about its longevity.
In addition to that, all the pieces have magnetic bases, which keep them firmly on the chessboard, even if you hold them upside down. In other words, even if you play chess in the car, there are no bumps or anything else that could tip the pieces over mid-game, making it perfect for travel.
Please note that this chess set might not be the best option for young children. However, older children might find magnetic chess sets quite attractive!
2. Drawstring Chess Set Combination
Even though the drawstring chess set combination doesn’t offer magnetic pieces, it is still quite portable. The chessboard is made out of high-quality vinyl that is resistant to accidental spills, tearing, or dirt. Also, you can easily roll it into a tight tube shape.
There are 34 pieces, including the two additional queens for pawn promotion. You also get the drawstring chess bag large enough to carry all the pieces easily.
Moreover, there are plenty of different colors to choose from: navy blue, red, royal blue, black, green, and burgundy. Let your child choose the color of the bag and set!
3. Magnetic Wooden Travel Chess Set
If you want excellent craftsmanship for an affordable price, the magnetic wooden travel chess set is the way to go! Not only is it made out of maple and golden rosewood, making it extremely durable, but it also features pieces with magnetic bases. These make them an ideal choice for travel.
The circle shape of this chess set makes it quite unique and really catches the attention of children. In addition to that, it features a pull-out drawer that contains foam with specifically designed inserts for easy storage of the pieces. This way you don’t have to carry an extra bag just for the pieces. They will always remain in perfect condition as they won’t scrape against each other all the time.
4. Giant Chess Set
To really spark your kid’s imagination, you might want to check out giant chess sets. This particular model includes a gigantic chessboard and pieces up to 12 inches in height. The pieces are made of heavy-duty, water-proof plastic, making them perfect for outdoor use.
Kids tend to like giant chess sets as they give a feeling of being on an actual battlefield, and the moves you make seem more vital. Giant chess sets give you the perfect opportunity to spend quality time outdoors and help your kid learn how to play chess.
Final Thoughts
Long story short, finding the ideal chess set for children is not as much about finding proper pieces and a chess board. It is about investing in their cognitive development. If you want to surprise your kid, you can never go wrong with giant chess sets.
On the other hand, if you want something more affordable and more portable, the round magnetic chess set is the way to go. Still, if this isn’t supposed to be a surprise gift, you should discuss any personal preferences with your kid before making the purchasing decision.
Finally, make sure to check out How to Find the Right Chess Books and Tools for Your Child.