Sudoku for Kids #123
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published August 20, 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.
This free printable sudoku puzzle for kids features a neat 6x6 grid, thoughtfully divided into six 2x3 boxes. About half the numbers, from 1 to 6, are already filled in, giving your child a satisfying head start. The goal is to complete each row, column, and smaller 2x3 box so that every number from 1 to 6 appears exactly once, with no repeats. Working through the clear, bold outlines to discover each missing number is a wonderful exercise in logical deduction.
A great way for your child to approach this puzzle is to focus on a single row, column, or 2x3 box that has the most numbers already filled in. By identifying which numbers from 1 to 6 are already present in that specific section, they can often quickly deduce the one or two missing numbers. This technique of eliminating possibilities helps build confidence and provides a clear starting point for problem-solving.
For a practical tip, consider laminating this sudoku page after printing. Your child can then use a dry-erase marker to complete the puzzle, allowing them to erase and retry as many times as they like without needing a new printout. This makes it a reusable activity perfect for car rides, quiet time, or even for passing around in a small group, encouraging cooperative thinking and number sense.
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
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.