How to Play Sudoku for Kids: Teach a Child to Play Sudoku

Sudoku is a great puzzle game that can help kids to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

This is thanks to the remarkably simple rule set, the process of elimination that’s involved with solving Sudoku puzzles, and the attention to detail that’s required. 

While there are plenty of Sudoku puzzles that can be challenging even for the most seasoned adult solvers, there are plenty of puzzles that are very approachable for children of all ages. 

However, before a child can start solving the puzzles, you must first teach them to play Sudoku. 

How to teach a child to play Sudoku

Don’t start with standard Sudoku straightaway

Depending on the age of the child, introducing them straight away to standard Sudoku with the 9×9 grid might be too much. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of Sudoku variants that simplify the puzzle to make the game more approachable. Especially when it comes to variations in the grid size, with Shidoku being a popular choice thanks to its 4×4 grid. 

Only having to place the digits 1 to 4 into 4 rows and columns is much easier than dealing with the digits 1 to 9 as there are fewer numbers that the child needs to pay attention to. 

However, getting the numbers 1 to 4 to fit still provides them with a basic understanding of the number puzzle which will let them eventually work their way up to the standard Sudoku. 

You don’t even have to start with numbers

Yes, Sudoku is a number puzzle, but that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to numbers. 

Instead of the numbers 1 to 4, you could instead substitute the numbers with pictures or shapes. For example, a circle, triangle, star, and diamond. 

You could then get your child to place these shapes so that every row, column, and 2×2 box contains one of each shape. 

The fundamental logic and thought process here is the same as if it was the numbers 1 to 4, however children adverse to numbers or math are more likely to give it a go. 

Teach your child to use pencil marks

Pencil marking is a commonly used Sudoku technique that will help them solve puzzles. 

With a 4×4 Shidoku, it’s easy to write in all the possible numbers empty squares could contain and then work through the process of elimination with your kid. 

Gradually move up to more complex puzzles

Once your child has mastered 4×4 puzzles, you should gradually introduce them to larger Sudoku variants, such as the 5×5 Godoku. Eventually arriving at regular Sudoku. 

There’s no reason to stop at regular Sudoku, however. 

While there’s a wide range of difficulty levels with regular Sudoku, there are also plenty of other types of Sudoku variants beyond different grid sizes to keep kids interested in the world of Sudoku. 

Some popular ones include Killer Sudoku, Skyscraper Sudoku, and Thermo Sudoku.