Checkers for Children

These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess.

Kobe Bryant

This is the fourth in a series of posts on games for children.

The quote above suggests that Checkers (called Draughts in England) is a simpler than chess. However, it is a challenging game of strategy, with simple rules and few pieces that is easily taught to young children. You can purchase sets wherever games are sold. They are readily available for little cost. Typically you can find sets at most dollar stores which is a bonus for teachers or parents on a budget. If you are interested in arts and crafts, they can be made. Here is a link for an example of a printable version.

There are many variations in rules. Wikipedia has an detailed article with many suitable links. Click here to read this article. Since we live in North America we suggest that you teach the version of rules used by the American Checkers Federation. Here is a good link that explains the rules clearly.

There are extensive data banks of games so that you may study strategy. For interested or gifted children, there are sets of checker problems which are very challenging. To solve, the child must figure out the next several moves to win the game. Click here for an example from Checker enthusiast, Jim Loy.