Sudoku for Kids #109
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published August 18, 2026
Solve this exact puzzle on screen — free, nothing to install.
Add a name, change the title and print your own version — free, in your browser.
Here’s a 6x6 Sudoku puzzle designed specifically for kids, featuring clear 2x3 boxes within the larger grid. About half the numbers, from 1 to 6, are already filled in, giving your child a great head start. The satisfying challenge comes from figuring out where the missing numbers go, ensuring that each row, each column, and each of the six 2x3 boxes contains every number from 1 to 6 exactly once, with no repeats.
To tackle this Sudoku, encourage your child to start by looking for a row, column, or 2x3 box that has only one or two empty spaces. By focusing on these nearly complete sections, they can often deduce the missing numbers more easily. For example, if a row is missing only a '3' and a '5', they can then look at the columns intersecting those empty spots to see which number fits where, using the numbers already present as clues.
For a practical tip, consider printing several copies of this puzzle and laminating one. Your child can then use a dry-erase marker to solve it repeatedly, making it a reusable activity. This not only saves paper but also allows them to practice the logical thinking and number recognition skills this Sudoku helps build, without the pressure of a single attempt.
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.
Show answerHide answer
More printables you'll like
Frequently asked questions
How do I explain sudoku rules to a child?
One sentence: every row, every column and every box must have each number exactly once. Start by pointing at a nearly-full row and asking "what's missing here?" — kids grasp the rule fastest by finding one forced number, not by hearing the theory.
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.
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.