Chess is one of the oldest board games known to the world. Its origins date back to the early 6th century in East and Central Asia, between modern-day India and Iran. It reached its present form some 500 years ago, and became popular, firstly amongst the European nobility, before spreading and reaching to the millions who play it today.

The rules of chess are simple to learn, yet the game can turn out to be very complicated, given the possibilities it offers. It can be taught and learned at almost any age, and because of its strategical nature, can be used not only as an entertaining game but as an educational tool as well.

Given its nature as a game, it is easy to capture children’s attention when trying to attract them to play chess. All it takes is a board, a set of pieces, a brief explanation of the rules, and the rest is entirely up to their imagination. It is a game, after all, and kids will take to it with the same joy as to any other. With time and practice, and if the child’s interest has been awakened, there is a host of material available to enhance chess knowledge. No other game or sport has had so many books published about it as chess, and the resources at hand, via the internet are legion. There are pages with the basic rules, club pages where you can find just about anything related to chess, and professional clubs organizing everything from scheduled classes to international tournaments.

Some countries, mostly in Europe, have included chess in their school programmes. Studies have shown that the involvement with chess improves children’s abilities in fields like logic, spatial awareness, and concentration, from the very beginning. Many schools across the UK have introduced chess as an optional class, with the most promising pupils engaging in local tournaments and club activities. Its competitive nature brings benefits as well, with the young ones learning to enjoy notable victories, handle heartbreaking defeats and, above all, respect their opponents.

Chess can also be used as a party theme. Imagine a giant board drawn on the floor, with kids dressed as chess pieces moving over it. Or a seasoned player walking around a horseshoe-shaped set of tables, playing 10 or more children simultaneously, with all of them striving to beat the master. Maybe having a bunch of kids sitting focused on a board, with the knowledge that the winner of the impromptu organized tournament will get the brand new chess set. All this while training their young brains to focus and think logically. Who knows? One of them could end up being a world champion someday!

More and more parents are taking their children’s parties to venues that lie away from home. Restaurants, especially those that are children friendly, are becoming very popular as venues for birthday parties.

Reasons to Take the Party out

While it may be wonderful to have a birthday party at home, sometimes it just isn’t practical. In a day and age where money is increasingly hard to come by, more people are opting for living cheap, comfortable and requires little maintenance. While this is perfect for small families living on a day to day basis, it just isn’t suitable to host a party with a group of children all running in different directions.

What Most Restaurants Offer for Kids

There are a number of restaurants around today that are geared towards children. These are perfect venues for a party. While they offer reasonable packages on food, party packets, and birthday cake, they also already have the entertainment. You will find a number of these restaurants offer a standard price per child. Within that price range, there is provision for a standard meal, a packet filled with goodies, and a birthday cake with candles that will be shared among the little ones. Play areas are the main attraction for these restaurants, and the children will definitely have a whale of a time with their friends.

The Best for Last

Parties at home can be stressful. First, there is all the running around to decorate, bake, buy sweets, set up, and then you still have to entertain the children, as well as the parents. With a restaurant venue you book in advance, and they do all the hard work for you. The best part is saved for the very end, of course, no dreaded cleaning up after an army of kids has torn through the area. Simply pack up your personal effects, and hit the road. Of course, you should always ensure that everyone cleans up after themselves, and throws their papers, and trash away as they go along.

Restaurant venue parties for children are becoming the norm. Besides the fuss, and hassle involved in throwing a party, it often works out far cheaper to go the restaurant route. Life is stressful as it is, and there is barely enough hours in the day to get your normal activities done. Why put yourself under added pressure by adding to your to-do list.