Today, I want to share my thoughts on the Story Time Chess – 2021 Toy of The Year Award Winner. As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for educational and fun toys for my kids, and this chess set definitely fits the bill. It’s specifically designed for kids, beginners, and even toddlers, making it accessible to a wide range of ages.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Adventure in Chess: The game of chess is known for developing cognitive and emotional skills in children, and this set takes it a step further by incorporating engaging stories and characters. It makes the learning process both educational and entertaining.
- No Chess Experience Required: Whether your child has never played chess before or has limited knowledge, this set is perfect. The rules and strategies of the game are taught through the stories, activities, and imagery, making it easy for young children to grasp.
- Over 30 Mini Games: To enhance the learning journey, this chess set includes over 30 mini games. These games help children understand and practice different moves and strategies in a fun and engaging way.
- Dual-Sided & Dual-Purposed: The chess pieces and board in this set are not only beautifully crafted but also serve a dual purpose. They can be used for regular chess or tournament play, making it versatile for different skill levels.
- Award-Winning: This chess set has received over 17 prestigious awards, including the 2021 Toy of The Year People’s Choice Winner, 2021 Webby’s Family & Kids Winner, and 2021 ASTRA Best Game For Kids Winner. Its accolades speak to its quality and effectiveness.
What Can Be Improved
- Availability of Workbooks: While the set itself is easily accessible, it would be beneficial if the workbooks for the different levels were available for purchase on platforms like Amazon, just like the other levels of the game.
- Stories Might Be Juvenile: Some may find the stories in the set a bit juvenile. However, it’s important to remember that they are designed to make learning fun, and they do serve their purpose well.
Quick Verdict
The Story Time Chess – 2021 Toy of The Year Award Winner is hands down one of the best chess sets for kids on the market. Its combination of educational storytelling, engaging characters, and quality craftsmanship make it a standout choice. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has some chess experience, they’ll enjoy the journey of learning and playing chess with this set. I highly recommend it for parents and caregivers who want to introduce their children to the world of chess in a fun and interactive way.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
As an avid chess player, I was thrilled to come across the Story Time Chess – 2021 Toy of The Year Award Winner on Amazon. The product received great reviews, so I decided to give it a try. I purchased it on Amazon and to my delight, it arrived within a few days. The quick delivery was impressive.
When I opened the box, I found the Story Time Chess set neatly packed inside. The set included chess pieces, a chessboard, and a colorful instruction booklet. The chess pieces were made of sturdy material and had beautiful designs. The chessboard was foldable and had clear markings, making it easy to set up the game. Overall, the unboxing experience was satisfying.
Specifications
The Story Time Chess set is a product from the brand Story Time Chess. It is manufactured by the same company and is designed for children aged 3 and above. The set is made of high-quality chess pieces and comes with a foldable chessboard. The dimensions of the chess set are 10.6 x 2.95 x 10.45 inches, and it weighs 3.52 pounds. The set is recognized as the 2021 Toy of The Year Award Winner, which showcases its educational and strategic qualities.
Documentation/ User Guide
The included instruction booklet proved to be extremely helpful in understanding the rules and strategies of Story Time Chess. It provided step-by-step instructions on setting up the chessboard and explained the movement of each chess piece in a simple and engaging manner. The user guide also included fun activities and puzzles to reinforce the learning experience for kids. If you’d like to check out the user guide, you can find it here.
Features – What We Found
1. Adventure in Chess
Story Time Chess offers a unique and engaging way to introduce chess to younger children. Through the use of characters, stories, activities, and imagery, the game brings the rules and strategy of chess to life. This adventure-based approach makes learning chess enjoyable and helps children develop cognitive and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their entire life. It takes the challenge out of teaching chess to younger kids and makes it a fun journey.
Pro-tip: Encourage your child to actively participate in the storytelling aspect of the game. They can create their own characters, imagine different scenarios, and even come up with their own chess strategies. This will enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills.
2. No Chess Experience Required
One of the standout features of Story Time Chess is that no chess experience is required. The game effectively teaches young children the moves, strategies, and language of chess through the captivating stories and activities. Children as young as 3 years old can easily grasp the concepts of the game and start playing. By integrating chess into a story-based framework, this game eliminates the barriers that often discourage children from learning to play chess.
Pro-tip: Use the included storybook as a bedtime or daytime reading activity. This will reinforce the concepts and rules of chess, helping your child retain and apply what they have learned during gameplay.
3. Over 30 Mini Games
Story Time Chess offers a variety of mini games that support the learning journey. With over 30 mini games included in the set, children can enhance their understanding of the various moves and strategies of chess in a playful and engaging way. These mini games are designed to be fun and educational, reinforcing the lessons learned and building confidence in playing chess.
4. Dual-Sided & Dual Purposed
The chess pieces and chess board included in Story Time Chess are not only beautifully crafted but also have dual functionality. The chess pieces and board are dual-sided, enabling them to be used for regular chess or tournament play. This versatility allows the game to grow with your child as they progress in their chess skills. The custom design by former Disney illustrator Ryan Terry adds an extra touch of visual appeal to the game.
Pro-tip: When your child is ready to transition to regular chess, use the same chess board and pieces to continue practicing and honing their skills. This will provide a seamless transition and prevent the need for purchasing additional chess sets.
5. Award-Winning
Story Time Chess stands out as the most awarded children’s board game in history. With over 17 prestigious awards, including the 2021 Toy of The Year People’s Choice Winner, 2021 Webby’s Family & Kids Winner, and 2021 ASTRA Best Game For Kids Winner, this game has been recognized for its innovative approach to teaching chess to children. The accolades are a testament to the game’s effectiveness and appeal among both kids and their parents.
Pro-tip: Explore the story of how Story Time Chess was created, as well as the achievements and awards it has received. Sharing this information with your child can inspire them and motivate them to engage even more enthusiastically with the game.
Check out Story Time Chess on Amazon
Our Review, Score and More
Our Score: 93.0
I recently purchased the Story Time Chess set for my kids and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. As a parent, I wanted to introduce my children to the world of chess, but I was concerned about how to make it engaging and easy for them to understand. This chess set solved that problem perfectly. The game is woven through fun and engaging stories, which not only teach the rules and strategies of chess, but also help develop cognitive and emotional skills. My kids have been hooked from the moment we started playing.
The set includes over 30 mini games that enhance the learning journey, making it even more enjoyable for kids. The beautifully crafted storybook, illustrated by the award-winning former Disney illustrator Ryan Terry, adds an extra level of excitement and imagination to the game. The dual-sided chess pieces and board are of high quality and can be used for regular chess or tournament play, making it versatile for all levels of chess players.
I highly recommend Story Time Chess to parents who want to introduce their kids to chess or enhance their chess skills. Not only is it an educational tool that teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy skills, but it also provides hours of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Click here to check out the Story Time Chess set on Amazon and experience the joy of learning chess through storytelling!