Over summer, parents ask the same question: what activities will help my child grow, not just keep them busy? In recent years, chess has seen a surge in popularity among kids and families. For Dan Shapiro, that question became especially real during COVID …

At the time, chess was just another activity for his son to try. At the same time, more families were starting to rediscover chess as something that builds real skills.

What began as a simple game became a space where Dan’s son could think ahead, make decisions, and see direct results of his choices. There were no shortcuts, no guessing, and no one to blame. Every move mattered, and every outcome connected back to something he’d done.

It wasn’t immediate, and it wasn’t perfect. But Dan noticed that this was different from a lot of the other activities his son had tried. In many environments, kids are either told exactly what to do or evaluated based on outcomes they don’t fully control. With chess, the process itself started to matter more than anything else. Progress came from thinking, adjusting, and trying again.

Just as important, his son enjoyed it. Often, activities that are “good for kids” feel like work, but chess didn’t carry that weight. It was challenging, but fun. It gave his son a sense of independence and ownership that started to show up not just on the board, but in other parts of life, too.

Over time, Dan began to notice his son’s ability to pause and think before acting, willingness to make a decision without knowing exactly how it would turn out, and understanding that mistakes weren’t failures, just part of figuring things out. These aren’t always the kinds of skills kids pick up in school, but they show up everywhere else.

During summer, when structure disappears and screen time tends to increase, chess may fill a gap in a way few activities do. It creates a structure where learning happens naturally. And because it can be played both in person and online, it also works for real life, whether during a quiet afternoon at home or a quick game while traveling.

Reflecting on what worked, some simple patterns stood out that other parents can try this summer:

Start with interest, not pressure: Introducing chess casually, without expectations, makes it easier for kids to engage and enjoy the process.

Let kids make their own decisions: One of the biggest benefits comes from allowing children to think through moves on their own, rather than being told what to do.

Focus on the process, not winning: Progress comes from thinking, adjusting, and learning from mistakes, not from results.

Keep it flexible: Whether it’s a quick game at home, a casual lesson, or online play during travel, consistency matters more than structure.

For families in the middle of summer, sometimes the most meaningful activities aren’t the obvious ones. Sometimes, they are simply a game.

Dan Shapiro is the author of Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club. After seeing how chess helped his son build confidence and decision-making skills, he set out to better understand what it can teach kids beyond the board. For more information, visit DecodingGeniusBook.com.

This disclaimer clarifies that the magazine is reporting news from the publishing industry and is not offering an endorsement or review of the books mentioned.