Sudoku for Kids #105
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published August 17, 2026
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Here’s a 6x6 Sudoku grid, perfectly sized for younger puzzlers. About half the numbers, from 1 to 6, are already filled into the squares. Your goal is to complete each row, column, and 2x3 box using the numbers 1 through 6, ensuring no number repeats within any of those sections. There's a satisfying click when you place the final number and see all the unique digits neatly arranged across the board.
To tackle this puzzle, try focusing on one specific row, column, or 2x3 box at a time that has the most numbers already filled in. Look at what numbers are *missing* from that section. Then, check the corresponding rows, columns, or 2x3 boxes for those missing numbers. If a missing number is already present in a conflicting row or column, you can eliminate that square as a possibility, helping you pinpoint the correct spot.
Parents and teachers can extend the life of this puzzle by laminating the printed page or placing it in a clear plastic sleeve. Children can then use a dry-erase marker to fill in the numbers, allowing them to try the same puzzle multiple times or share it with a sibling without needing to print new copies. This builds crucial logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Teacher notes
Skills practiced
- Logical reasoning and elimination
- Number recognition and one-to-one checking
- Persistence with a multi-step problem
- Explaining reasoning aloud: "this must be a 3 because..."
Suggested use in class
- Math warm-up projected on the board, solved together
- Independent center with the answer key face-down for self-checking (pair up students who need support)
Time estimate
10–15 minutes
Materials
- Printed page
- Pencil with eraser
Download & print — it's free
US Letter (8.5×11"). Print at home, no sign-up needed.
Tip: set your printer to “Fit to page” for best results.
Includes answer key (page 2 of the PDF)
Print just page 1 for the puzzle, or both pages to keep the solution handy for checking.
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Frequently asked questions
Should kids solve sudoku in pencil?
Definitely pencil, with an eraser nearby. Guessing and backtracking are part of learning the game, and being able to erase keeps it playful. Writing tiny "candidate" numbers in a corner of a square is a real solver technique kids enjoy discovering.
How long should a kids' sudoku take?
Anywhere from five minutes to half an hour is normal, and speed doesn't matter. If it's over in two minutes, move up a grid size; if it stalls completely, solve the next number together and hand the pencil back.
Is this too babyish for my 8-year-old?
Try it before assuming — kids this age still love a good puzzle or coloring session, especially with "grown-up" tools like gel pens or fine-tip markers. Adding a self-set challenge (a timer, a color pattern, beating a sibling's time) refreshes any page.
Why does the page look cut off when I print?
That's almost always a scaling setting. In the print dialog choose "Fit to page" (or 100% if your printer handles margins well) and make sure the paper size is set to US Letter. Printing from the downloaded PDF, rather than the browser preview, also gives the cleanest result.