Sudoku for kids

Sudoku is one of the best puzzles for children: no reading, no sums, just careful looking and thinking ahead. Start small and they'll be solving 9×9 grids before you know it.

Which grid for which age?

Age	Grid	Numbers used
4 to 6	4×4 Sudoku	1 to 4
6 to 9	6×6 Sudoku	1 to 6
8 and up	Easy 9×9	1 to 9

Ages are only a rough guide. If a child gets stuck and frustrated, drop back a size. If they finish in a minute, move up.

How to teach it

Say the rule as a story. "Every row is a team, and no team can have two players with the same number."
Solve one together. Point at a row with one gap and ask which number is missing.
Let them use a pencil. Writing small guesses in the corner is a real Sudoku technique, not cheating.
Praise the checking. Looking back over a row is the habit that makes good solvers.

A 4×4 to start with

		4
	2	3
	1	2
	4

A 4×4 Sudoku for kids

Show the answer

1	3	4	2
4	2	3	1
3	1	2	4
2	4	1	3

Why kids' Sudoku is worth it

It builds logical reasoning: "it can't be 2 because there's already a 2 here".
It trains concentration and patience.
It's screen-optional: print a sheet and it's a quiet activity for a car ride or a classroom.

Play 4×4 online Play 6×6 online Print 4×4 sheets Print 6×6 sheets

Questions

At what age can a child start Sudoku?

Many children can solve a 4×4 Sudoku at 4 or 5 once they know the numbers 1 to 4. A 6×6 suits most 6 to 9 year olds.

Is the kids' Sudoku free to print for schools?

Yes. The printable sheets are free for home and classroom use. Each sheet comes with an answer page.

Does the kids' Sudoku collect any data?

There are no accounts and progress is kept on your own device. The site does show ads and uses analytics, as our privacy policy explains.

Play today's SudokuEasy, Medium, Hard and two kids' grids. Free, no sign-up.