Story Time Chess Review

I have had my eye on this Timberdoodle item for awhile and I'm so blessed to share it with you today, Story Time Chess!  This is geared for ages 3-103 or PreK and beyond.  Chess is an amazing game that sharpens critical thinking, boosts emotional intelligence and helps strengthen academic performance.  What sets Story Time Chess apart is its ability to teach chess to young children (no chess experience is required).  It does this using silly stores, colorful illustrations, custom chess pieces and a custom chess board.  Children learn how to play chess through fun stories instead of rules!

What's included?  Story Time Chess includes a custom double-sided chessboard with custom matching chess pieces, 2 storage bags for the pieces, and a splendidly designed storybook (also contains minigames).

The purpose of the 30+ minigames is to reinforce the mechanics of how the pieces move and the game is played.  The storybook shows each piece and the illustrated story behind how that piece likes to move.  In essence, it brings the chess pieces to life with their fun characters and interesting movements.  This really help children visualize the pieces on the chess board and really understand how to move each one.  F is 7 and G is 4 and I have been playing Story Time Chess with both of them and I am super impressed with their growing understanding and knowledge of the game of chess!  I mean, how many 4 year olds beg to play chess - mine does now 😉.

In Story Time Chess, children first learn about the kings.  Then the pawns, followed by the bishops, knights, rooks and finally the queens.

 

After learning all about King Chomper, G played a few minigames to help cement exactly how this piece moves in chess.  He learned about King Shaky too.

 

The boys loved the stories from the very first one.  They were smiling and laughing and thought they were silly and fun.  I enjoyed them as well and appreciate their creativity (it truly keeps the boys interested and motivated to hear and learn more).

Then came the pawns, the King's children.  Above G set up the pawns.  I love how the Story Side of the board shows children where the pieces start.

F & G playing a minigame with the pawns to help cement how they move and capture.

G loves the bishops, Bee & Bop!

 

Learning about the knights, Clip & Clop!

F & G playing knight minigames.

Queen Bella & Queen Allegra are the most powerful pieces for each team.

 

Once, children learn about all the pieces, they can play a full game of Capture The King!

Playing chess with G!

Good Game - I won round 1.

Story Time Chess is currently included in Timberdoodle's Kindergarten curriculum kit.  If you have young children or even older children that have trouble understanding the game of chess, this is a great item to have to help build lifelong skills.  Story Time Chess gets a big thumbs up from us and we absolutely recommend it.  It's easy to see how it has won so many awards 🥇.

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received Story Time Chess at a discounted price in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.