Sudoku for Kids #110
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published August 18, 2026
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This free printable Sudoku puzzle features a clear 6x6 grid, thoughtfully designed for young problem-solvers. About half of the numbers from 1 to 6 are already filled in, giving a great head start on each row, column, and 2x3 box. The goal is to complete the grid so that every row, every column, and every 2x3 box contains each number from 1 to 6 exactly once, with no repeats. There’s a wonderful satisfaction in seeing the grid slowly come together, piece by logical piece, until every spot is perfectly filled.
To help your child get started, encourage them to look for a row, column, or 2x3 box that has the most numbers already filled in. By identifying which numbers are missing from that specific section and checking the surrounding rows and columns, they can often pinpoint the correct placement for a missing digit. This "find the missing number" strategy helps build confidence and provides a clear starting point for tackling the puzzle.
A practical tip for this page is to print a few copies and laminate one for repeated use. Your child can then solve it with a dry-erase marker, wipe it clean, and try again, perhaps even racing against their own best time. This not only reinforces number recognition and logical thinking but also provides a reusable activity for car rides, quiet time, or even a quick brain break during homework.
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
My child says the puzzle is impossible. Now what?
It isn't — every grid starts from a fully valid solution, so a way through always exists. The trick is to hunt for the most-filled row, column or box and ask what's missing there. If a wrong number went in early, a fresh printed copy is often kinder than untangling the error.
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.