The Vikings (Treasure Chests) [Misc. Supplies]

Fiona Macdonald (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Treasure Chests

Play hnefatfl, a Viking game of strategy and build a model of a Viking ship. Open the secret drawer to find runes, maps, stickers, and cards that demonstrate Viking dress, illustrate the Viking territory, and show the hierarchy of gods and goddesses.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Misc. Supplies: 32 pages
• Publisher: Running Press Kids; Book and Access edition (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762401478
• ISBN-13: 978-0762401475
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7.3 x 3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viking treasures - game, ship, runes, history, and more!, January 9, 1999

By 

Lynn Hughes (Bucks County, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Vikings (Treasure Chests) (Misc. Supplies)

This sturdy box comes with its own key and contains a delightful variety of Viking information and paraphernalia. There is a light cardboard Viking ship to assemble, a Hnefatafl game (a good board game for 2) with plastic pieces based on the Lewis chessmen, a sundial that needs to be calibrated for your location (directions included), cardboard runes and information about their use in divination, 2 posters (1 each on history and on mythology), and a small book that gives a good introduction to the Viking world. It's more than one rainy day's fun and should appeal to a wide age range. The board game is an excellent strategy game for all ages through adult and will be played long after the ship has disintegrated and the posters have lost their novelty.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Viking Chest, January 31, 2006

By 

Darby Drake - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Vikings (Treasure Chests) (Misc. Supplies)

With the exception of the longboat, this product was great. The historical information was very detailed. The map was interesting since we are studying early exploration of the New World. We also enjoyed learning about the Viking religion. Very interesting!

I bought this item with the intention of supplementing our studies with a fun activity. It sat on the shelf until we were ready for it. Today we put together the longboat and the sundial. We couldn't find the "circle of card" for the sundial, but I cut a circle out of an index card and it worked perfectly. Sometime this week we will label the sundial with the hours.

We also played the Viking game. The game, Hnefatafl, is a lot of fun and will probably be finding a new, sturdier game board soon so that it can be a regularly played game in our home.

My son placed all the stickers on the map and onto the mythology/religion page with ease. It was very interesting and kept his attention while I was struggling with the longboat. The longboat was part of the reason I purchased this item, and the most difficult thing to put together. It is not something an 8 yr old can handle unless he/she is used to making models. The cardboard was difficult to glue together (which we did not know glue was required until after reading through the directions ~ paste or glue stick will not work) and had to be clamped together with paperclips in order to dry. If you do not have paperclips, you will have to hold it together after each step with your hands until it dries. This makes for a long, possibly two day, build. I had allotted an hour, which clearly wasn't enough time to complete the longboat project. Four hours later, I am writing this review, and waiting for the glue to dry on the deck of the boat. I will have to reglue the stern as it has come undone (again). I also should mention that extra care must be taken with the oars. The oars have a narrow section where they hook into the longboat, and can easily break off. We have already accidentally broken 3 of our oars. Tomorrow, we will see about repairing the boat.

We are also saving the runes until tomorrow. I am really looking forward to learning about the runes. We are planning on writing letters to each other using them. I may try to make a game out of it, like a scavenger hunt in code.

What I thought would be the best part has turned out to be the most difficult, and the Viking game, Hnefatafl, has become the best in its stead. I should have known! My son adores chess. If you like chess, you will enjoy this game.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toy with history., June 2, 2001

By 

Suzanne E. Mcbroom "luvbunny13" (Potsdam, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Vikings (Treasure Chests) (Misc. Supplies)

This treasure chest contained a surprising array of information and activities. My husband and I loved playing "King's Table" so much, we are now making our own board to go with the pieces. A good interactive introduction to Norse culture. Lynn Hughes' review of this product was very descriptive and accurate.