Sudoku for Kids #97
sudoku · ages 5-8 · medium
Editorial team · Published August 16, 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 features a 6x6 Sudoku grid, designed especially for young solvers. You'll find a clear layout with six rows and six columns, further divided into six 2x3 boxes outlined with bold lines. About half the numbers, from 1 to 6, are already filled in, providing a great starting point for your child to complete the puzzle. The satisfaction comes from logically placing the remaining numbers, ensuring each row, column, and 2x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 6 exactly once.
To tackle this Sudoku, a great strategy is to focus on the 2x3 boxes first. Scan a box to see which numbers are missing, then check the corresponding rows and columns for those missing numbers. For example, if a 2x3 box is missing a '3', look at the other '3's already in the grid. If a '3' is present in the same row or column as an empty square within that 2x3 box, you know the '3' cannot go in that specific empty square, helping you narrow down its correct placement.
For parents and teachers, this page offers an excellent opportunity for repeated use. Print a few copies, or laminate one and use a dry-erase marker so children can solve it multiple times. This practice helps children develop their logical reasoning and number sense, building foundational problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
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.
What does sudoku teach besides numbers?
Logic, mostly — sudoku needs no arithmetic at all. Kids practice deduction ("this is the only place a 3 can go"), process of elimination, and the patience to check their own work. It's one of the best focus-builders that still feels like a game.
Can my child do this one alone?
That's the sweet spot of this age — hand it over and let them own it. Resist hovering: figuring out a sticking point solo (or choosing to ask for help) is a bigger win than a perfectly completed 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.