Learning Chess for Kids: Beginner Tips and Our Personal Picks For Chess Game Resources

Learning chess for kids and how to play chess for beginners is a fun educational game. How do you explain chess to a child, learn to play chess for kids and what’s the best way for learning chess moves? We have game resources, including where to find free online chess for kids and kids’ games directions and strategy! Definitely add this to your homeschooling gameschooling and homeschool chess game teaching!

Best Learning Chess For Kids Games and Ideas (Even If You Hate Chess Or Don’t Know How To Play The Game!)

Want to know how to play chess for kids? Whether you’re wondering how to teach chess to 6 year old or play with teens, these game tips will help! Consider the game for your learning and family game night, even if you don’t know how to play chess! Here’s why…

Is chess good for a child?

Did you know that chess games have huge benefits for kids?

15 Important Benefits of Chess for Kids

1. Improves problem-solving skills: Chess requires players to analyze the board and think critically to make strategic moves, which can help improve problem-solving skills.
2. Enhances memory: Chess involves remembering the moves of different pieces, which can help improve a child’s memory.
3. Develops creativity: Chess allows for creativity in thinking and problem-solving, as there are often many possible moves and strategies.
4. Increases focus and concentration: Playing chess requires a high level of concentration and focus, which can help improve these skills over time.
5. Improves planning and decision-making abilities: Chess involves planning and decision-making, which can help children develop these important skills.
6. Boosts confidence: As children improve their chess skills, they can gain confidence in their abilities and feel more comfortable taking on challenges.
7. Teaches patience and persistence: Chess can be a slow-paced game, which requires patience and persistence to see through to the end.
8. Promotes sportsmanship and fair play: Chess requires players to follow rules and be respectful towards their opponents, which can promote sportsmanship and fair play.
9. Develops analytical thinking: Chess involves analyzing different possibilities and predicting the opponent’s moves, which can help develop analytical thinking skills.
10. Enhances spatial awareness: Chess involves visualizing the board and the pieces in different positions, which can help develop spatial awareness.
11. Helps with math skills: Chess involves counting and calculating moves, which can help improve math skills.
12. Increases social skills: Chess can be played with others, which can help improve social skills, such as communication and teamwork.
13. Provides a healthy outlet for competition: Chess can provide a healthy outlet for competition and a way to channel competitive energy.
14. Improves academic performance: Research has shown that playing chess can help improve academic performance, particularly in reading and math.
15. Offers a lifelong hobby: Chess can be enjoyed throughout a person’s life, providing a lifelong hobby and a way to stay mentally sharp.

So don’t worry about is chess good for child or if there are advantages of chess for kids! There are so many benefits to playing this game with kids! 

Don’t miss our free chess for kids resources below! KEEP SCROLLING FOR FUN CHESS IDEAS FOR KIDS — whether you’re wondering can you teach a 7 year old chess if you don’t know how to play, or can a 5 year old play chess, or you want to get your teen interested in your chess hobby, there’s something in here for you!

Chess 101: Ultimate Playing Chess Guide For Parents and Teachers

Before we get to the fun chess games and chess resources for kids, let’s start with a question that many parents have: at what age can a child learn chess?

What age can child learn chess?

Ultimately, the best age to start learning chess for kids is when they are interested, especially if you they are coming to you and asking you about the game. However, because of critical thinking skills and strategy involved, most kids are ready for the game around ages 7 and up when those skills are more developed and they can understand and enjoy the game more.

 

What age is best to learn chess?

Children can start to learn chess as early as 4 or 5 years old, although the optimal age to start learning chess can vary depending on the child’s level of maturity and interest. In general, most children are capable of understanding the basic rules and concepts of chess around the age of 6 or 7, and this is a good age to start teaching them the game.

However, it is important to consider each child’s individual developmental readiness and interest in the game.

Some children may be ready to start playing chess earlier, while others may not show interest until they are older.

It is important to make sure that the child is interested in learning and enjoys playing the game, rather than being pushed into it too early or too forcefully. 

If you want to learn chess for toddlers, you may want to hold off (unless you have an advanced toddler showing interest). But, if you’re wondering can a 4 year old learn chess, they might be able to depending on their abilities! You’ll have to use your own best judgment on age recommendation for chess.

 

 

YOUR KIDS WILL ALSO ENJOY THIS GAME FOR LEARNING RESOURCE: Minecraft Game Ideas for Learning 

 

 

How do I teach my child to play chess?

How To Teach Chess To Kids:

• Use beginner chess games that give you clues on where to move
• Watch YouTube videos
• Read chess for beginner books
• Use chess strategy workbooks to practice
• Play beginner chess games
• Take a chess class for kids
• Join a chess kid club
• Use a learning chess app

KEEP SCROLLING for the full learn to play chess resources!

 

ALSO CHECK OUT MORE FUN LEARNING GAMES FOR KIDS:

Super Fun Maths Games For Kids To Play

 

 

Pros and Cons of Chess For Kids Online versus The Computer For Free

There are plenty of free online programs for kids to play, but there are also paid chess membership sites. So you may be wondering should I download a program for kids to play on the computer or join a membership chess site, or just play one of the many free games of chess available online for kids.

Let’s take a look at chess for kids against the computer versus online (and how to play chess by yourself)…

Online Chess for Kids

Pros:

• Convenient: With online chess, kids can play anytime, anywhere. No need to wait for a friend to be available, or for a tournament to start. There are always online opponents ready to play.
• Variety: Online chess provides access to a wide range of opponents, from kid beginners to Bobby Fischer like grandmasters. Kids can test their skills against players from all over the world at all different skill levels when they’re ready!
• Educational: Chess teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy. With online chess, kids can learn at their own pace and receive instant feedback on their moves. Many of those online programs offer varying levels of training and practice.

Cons:

• Distractions: Let’s be real, it’s hard to focus when the internet is just a click away. Kids may be tempted to switch tabs, watch cat videos, or check their social media accounts instead of learning about chess.
• Cheating: Unfortunately, online chess is not immune to cheating. Kids may use computer programs or receive outside help during a game, which defeats the purpose of learning and improving their skills.

PRO TIP: There are many online chess for kids free to play and chess for kids online game resources. See our list below for online ideas and games to learn how to play chess for kids!

 

Computer Chess for Kids

Pros:

• Challenging: Computer chess programs can be tough opponents, even for advanced players. Kids can test their skills against an intelligent, adaptive opponent that gets stronger with each game.
• Convenient: Like online chess, computer chess is available anytime, anywhere. Kids can play against the computer on their own schedule, without worrying about finding a human opponent.
• Free: Let’s face it, chess sets can be expensive and online memberships can be a waste if your kids don’t have a continued interest. 

Cons:

• Impersonal: Playing against a computer can feel lonely and isolating. Kids miss out on the social aspect of chess, such as meeting new friends, bonding with teammates, or trash-talking opponents.
• Unpredictable: While computer chess programs are impressive, they can also be unpredictable. Kids may encounter bugs, glitches, or unexpected behavior that ruins their gaming experience.
• Memory / bandwidth: Before you get a computer chess program, check that your gaming computer or laptop has the memory and bandwidth for a program like chess.

 

How do you make chess fun for kids?

Chess for kids strategies to keep them interested:

• Don’t force kids to play chess. Encourage their interest in playing the game.
• Start with simple rules and advance as your child advances. 
• Allow them to join a club for chess with friends or other kids their own age.
• Play fun games that use chess tactics and strategy. Start with easy chess for kids games!
• Learn the chess pieces by playing fun memory games with them.
• Look for a chess for kids printable (or a how to play chess for kids pdf) that helps them understand the layout and game play. (see resources below)
• Don’t rely on memorizing chess rules at first. Use chess moves cheatsheets to help.
• Don’t worry about learning chess tactics (or strategies for chess) at first. Just play for the fun of playing.
• Make small bets (winner gets to choose ice cream flavor tonight) to encourage play.

 

 

Here’s how to add chess as one of your fun learning games for kids!

Beginner Chess Games for Kids and Learning Chess Resources (Young Children Through Teens!)

How To Teach Beginners Chess (Even If You Don’t Know How To Play Chess)

Let’s be honest, rules of chess for kids can be overwhelming. But how to start learning chess doesn’t have to be, no matter if you have younger students or older students!

There are many different ways to teach kids chess and teach chess game, even if you don’t know how to play the game of chess yourself!

Let’s start with the best books on chess…

Read Chess Books For Kids (Best Chess Books For Beginner)

The first thing you may want to do when learning the game of chess is find a how to play chess for kids book to help your kids understand chess rules and how chess pieces move. This will help even before you decide on a learning chess set!

Try these chess books to get started!

Chess For Kids Book Resources:

How To Play Chess For Absolute Beginners

How To Play Chess For Children

The Everything Chess Basics Book (great for everything, including chess lingo!)

►CHESS FOR KIDS BOOKS IS AN AWESOME SERIES OF BOOKS, WORKBOOKS, AND CHESS PUZZLES FOR KIDS TO LEARN CHESS! (It’s kind of like a printable chess for kids to practice on before they get to the chess board! Great for DIY chess for kids!)

 

Play Beginner Chess Games (Chess Teaching Game Ideas)

A chess game is probably the best way to introduce young kids and even older kids to the game of chess. You’ll have so much fun as a family with these learning childrens chess sets and teaching chess board ideas!

These are some of our favorite chess teaching board games and beginning chess set ideas and one of the best way to learn chess for children!

Teaching Chess Sets / Learn Chess Set For Beginners:

For beginner chess player (and especially kids), it’s helpful to get a beginner chess set that shows chess piece moves or a learn chess board. For example, the Chess Teacher set puts the available moves for each piece on the back of the pieces. Which makes a great teaching chess game even if you don’t know the game of chess.

You can also use No Stress Chess, which is a chess game and learn to play chess set that uses cards to guide you through the play — great idea for a learning chess board!

Also try Fun Family Chess, which come with access to tutorials and also color-coded guides. Another great teaching chess set.

The Kids’ Book of Chess includes a chess set and is also a great starting chess guide for kids.

Story Time Chess game also looks like a lot of fun!

If you have some best chess games for beginners, let us know and we’ll add them to this list.

*ONLINE CHESS GAME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR KIDS BELOW (including app to learn chess recommendations for teaching chess to beginners)

 

 

 

 

 

Try Chess Puzzles For Kids

To go along with a chess learning set / chess learning board, chess puzzles and chess workbooks are another way for kids to practice and learn chest skills.

Grab one of the books like Chess Puzzles for Kids, which has a wide range of game levels practice and allows your beginner player to move to more advanced puzzles when they’re ready. I love this for a chess activity!

My First Book of Checkmate Workbook is another chess workbook that may be helpful.

 

Get Chess Video Games and Free Online Chess Games for Kids

If you’re looking for chess video games or chess for kids download, try:

• Chess for Kids Nintendo DS game
• Gameboy Ultimate Brain Games that includes chess
• Learn to Play Chess PC computer
• Pure Chess on PS4
• Nintendo Switch Clubhouse Games (which includes chess)

Your kids may also enjoy a handheld portable chess game like this.

 

What is the #1 chess website for kids?

Many of these chess websites have tutorial for chess beginners and then continue building on the skill, tactics, and strategy.

Try these free online chess games for kids:

• ChessKid.com
• Chess.com
• Lichess.org
• Chessmatec.com
• SparkChess.com (has learn, practice, and challenge levels, great as children advance through a skill level)
• ToyTheater.com
• KidChess.com

IMPORTANT: These games are free to play and offer a variety of features and skill levels for children (from beginner to advanced). Even though these are some of the the best websites for teaching kids chess and online chess games kids can play, please check these sites before your children start playing chess on them to ensure your kids are using the internet safely and appropriately, especially when playing online games, and that these sites meet your safety standards.

 

Play Chess For Kids Online: Free Chess Online vs Computer

Learning games for kids online is another fun way to keep the learning going and there are even online chess for kids games.

To play chess for kids free online, check out Chess Kid, which has a free chess online game for a range of levels from beginner to hard levels.

You can also toggle a “coach” on to help kids (it tells you when you make a mistake) and then toggle off as they advance through chess levels. It takes a basic chess knowledge, so you may want to review some of our recommended chess resources before trying out the online game.

Kid Chess (a different site) also has some chess vs computer online chess games to try out with free chess online play. They have a chess for kids free membership and also a premium membership.

Be sure to add these to your how to learn chess for kids resources and easy chess for kids online!

 

Try a Chess For Kids App

Chess apps for phone and tablet are great because kids can play them on the go (like in the car) and continuing practicing chess skills.

Easy Chess Kids Apps To Try:

1. ChessKid (iOS and Android): ChessKid is a free chess app for kids with a fun and interactive interface. It includes puzzles, lessons, and online games with other kids from around the world.
2. Play Magnus (iOS and Android): Play Magnus is a chess app for kids that allows them to play against a virtual Magnus Carlsen, the world champion. It includes different levels of difficulty, as well as puzzles and training exercises.
3. Chess.com (iOS and Android): Chess.com is a popular chess app for players of all ages and skill levels. It includes lessons, puzzles, and online games with a large community of players.
4. Chess Academy for Kids (iOS and Android): Chess Academy for Kids is a chess app that teaches kids the basics of the game, as well as advanced strategies and tactics. It includes interactive lessons, puzzles, and games.
5. Chessimo (iOS and Android): Chessimo is a chess app that helps kids improve their skills through lessons, exercises, and puzzles. It includes a variety of difficulty levels, as well as a built-in chess engine to analyze games.
6. Dinosaur Chess (iOS and Android): Dinosaur Chess is a chess app for kids that uses fun dinosaur characters to teach the game. It includes interactive tutorials, puzzles, and games for kids of all ages.
7. iChess (iOS and Android): iChess is a chess app that includes lessons, puzzles, and games for players of all levels. It also includes a built-in chess engine and the ability to play against other players online.
8. Chess Time (iOS and Android): Chess Time is a chess app that allows kids to play against other players from around the world. It includes a variety of time controls and difficulty levels, as well as puzzles and training exercises.

*These apps were available as of the initial writing of this post. If you find that one of these apps for chess is no longer available (or have reviews of chess apps), let me know and I’ll update this chess game list!

 

Learn About The History Of Chess For Kids

When we’re learning something new, I always like to cover the history of it.

If you like that, too, here are some chess resources to start with before you get to gaming.

Check out this animated video of chess history before you get started!

 

Check Chess For Kids Youtube

As you know, it’s shocking what kids can learn from YouTube! 

How To Play Chess For Kids Video Resources:

1. ChessKid: ChessKid is a popular YouTube channel that teaches kids how to play chess through fun and engaging videos. The channel includes tutorials, puzzles, and game analysis, as well as interviews with professional chess players. 
2. GM Daniel King: GM Daniel King is a chess grandmaster who creates educational content for players of all ages and skill levels. His YouTube channel includes game analysis, instructional videos, and tournament highlights.
3. ChessTalk: ChessTalk is a YouTube channel that features chess tutorials and game analysis for kids. The channel includes videos on chess tactics, strategies, and openings, as well as puzzles and challenges.
4. Chess24: Chess24 is a YouTube channel that features live chess tournaments, game analysis, and instructional videos. The channel includes content for players of all ages and skill levels, as well as interviews with top chess players.
5. The Chess Website: The Chess Website is a YouTube channel that provides chess lessons and tutorials for kids and adults. The channel includes instructional videos on chess basics, tactics, and strategies, as well as game analysis and reviews of famous chess matches. 
6. Agadmator’s Chess Channel: Agadmator’s Chess Channel is a YouTube channel that features game analysis and commentary on famous chess matches. The channel includes content for players of all ages and skill levels, as well as interviews with top chess players. 
7. Kingscrusher: Kingscrusher is a YouTube channel that features game analysis and commentary on chess matches from around the world. The channel includes content for players of all ages and skill levels, as well as instructional videos on chess tactics and strategies. 

IMPORTANT: As always, please preview these YouTube channels prior to allowing your kids to watch the videos. Some of these are for varying ages and you want to be sure that they appropriate for your child.

 

Join Chess Groups

Many local libraries and game shops have chess classes and even chess groups meetups! Search online for chess for kids near me or local chess club to find one in your area. Many are even broken into chess age categories so your kids can be with peers.

 

TRY THESE FUN GAMES FOR KIDS NEXT!

MORE GAME SCHOOL RESOURCES:
Games In Learning: How to Use Game Based Learning Effectively
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One Of The Best Learning Games We’ve Ever Used!
Free Typing Games to Learn Typing At Home
58 Best Board Games Recommended By Parents
Interactive Writing Games (perfect for Homeschool Language Arts Program)
Get a Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate Mario Day
How To Use Dominoes For Learning
Best Gamer Gifts For Kids (When You’re On A Budget!)

 

Have fun learning chess for kids!

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