Sudoku for Kids #48
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published July 26, 2026
This free printable sudoku for kids features a clean 6x6 grid, perfect for beginners. About half the numbers, from 1 to 6, are already filled in, leaving plenty of room for your child to complete the puzzle. The grid is divided into six 2x3 boxes, making it easy to identify the smaller sections. It's incredibly satisfying to logically deduce where each missing number goes, watching the grid slowly fill up until every row, column, and box contains the numbers 1 through 6, each appearing only once.
To tackle this puzzle, encourage your child to start with a single number, say "1," and try to place all the remaining "1"s first. They can scan each row, column, and 2x3 box, looking for empty spaces where a "1" is missing and doesn't conflict with an existing "1" in that same line or box. By focusing on one number at a time, children can methodically work through the puzzle, building their confidence with each successful placement.
For a practical tip, print several copies and laminate one to create a reusable activity page. Your child can use a dry-erase marker to fill in the numbers, wipe clean, and try again, either immediately or on another day. This not only saves paper but also allows for repeated practice, reinforcing logical thinking and number recognition skills without the pressure of a single attempt.
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.
More printables you'll like
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.
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.
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.
Will it print okay in black and white?
Yes — the printable itself is black line art on a white background, so any printer handles it, including basic laser printers. Set your printer to grayscale or "black ink only" to save color ink; the page will look exactly the same.