Best chess gifts for kids
Learn-to-play games for beginners, real sets for kids who already play, and puzzles for practice. Ages are the ones the maker gives. The first item is ours.
Prices checked on each product page in September 2026.
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BetterChess Mate in 1 deck
BetterChess · made by us
54 printed puzzle cards, easy to medium: the position on the front, the mating move and a one-line explanation on the back, and a QR code to play it online.
$34.99 plus shipping
See the deck - 2
Story Time Chess Board Game (Tin)
Story Time Chess / PlayMonster
Teaches chess through stories, for ages 3+. Tin with 32 pieces, character cutouts, minigame tokens, a storybook and a 2-in-1 board.
$49.99
View at playmonster.com - 3
Chess Teacher
Lakeshore Learning
Folding 15" board with 32 pieces, each with its moves printed on the base. Ages 6 to 11.
$16.99
View at lakeshorelearning.com - 4
No Stress Chess
Winning Moves Games
Learning game with 56 illustrated action cards that tell you which piece to move, plus a 2-sided board. Ages 7+.
$24.99
View at winning-moves.com - 5
Cardinal Games Chess Made Simple
Spin Master
Beginner set for ages 8+ with 3 levels of learning cards, Move Cards, a 17" double-sided board and pieces whose bases show their moves.
$26.99
View at growingtreetoys.com - 6
Bobby Fischer Learn to Play Chess Set
WE Games
Folding illustrated board that shows setup and legal moves, 34 pieces, a booklet and "equalizer dice". Ages 6+.
$28.99
View at target.com - 7
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chess & Pachisi
Melissa & Doug
Painted 17.5" wooden board, chess on one side and pachisi on the other, with 42 wooden pieces and a storage bag.
$23.95
View at rainbowresource.com - 8
Classic Wood Chess Set
Chess House
Wooden Staunton set with a 3.5" king and a 19" board with coordinates. Made in Poland.
$109.00
View at chesshouse.com - 9
Pocket Magnetic Chess Set
House of Staunton
6.25" pocket travel set with pop-out magnetic pieces.
$6.95
View at houseofstaunton.com - 10
Book Wooden Magnetic Travel Chess Set, Large
House of Staunton
Sheesham and maple magnetic travel set in a book-style case with a brass clasp. 9" x 7.25" x 2" closed.
$129.00
View at houseofstaunton.com - 11
Chess Puzzles for Kids
Gambit (Murray Chandler)
Hardback with 100 puzzles grouped by theme, from beginner level upward.
Price not shown
View at gambitbooks.com - 12
Learn Chess the Right Way, Book 1: Must-Know Checkmates
Russell Enterprises (Susan Polgar)
Workbook of about 500 puzzles, mostly mate in one, ending with mate-in-two patterns.
$19.95
View at russell-enterprises.com - 13
The Chess Deck: 50 Cards for Mastering the Basics
Clarkson Potter (Levy Rozman)
54 cards: 50 diagram cards on openings, tactics, famous games and brainteasers, plus 2 intro cards.
$22.00
View at penguinrandomhouse.com
FAQ
What age can a child start chess?
Makers aim learn-to-play products at different ages: Story Time Chess says 3+, Lakeshore's Chess Teacher 6 to 11, No Stress Chess 7+ and Chess Made Simple 8+.
What should I buy a kid who already knows the moves?
A real set to play on, and puzzles to practice with: a puzzle book, or mate-in-one puzzle cards.
Are the prices current?
They are the prices we saw on each product page in September 2026. Prices change, so check the linked page.
More: Chess gifts · Chess gifts for kids · Chess card games · Mate in 1 puzzles
