Sudoku is a great first logic puzzle, but numbers can confuse young children: they think they have to add. Picture sudoku solves that problem with simple pictures, such as a sun, a heart, an apple or a fish. Every page shown here was made with the free picture sudoku generator.
The rules, explained to a child
The grid has 4 rows, 4 columns and 4 small squares. Each row, each column and each small square must have all 4 pictures, once each. The 4 pictures of the grid are shown above it, so the child can point to the one that is missing.
Picture sudoku by age
| Age | Pictures given | Squares to fill |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 | 12 | 4 |
| 5-6 | 10 | 6 |
| 6-7 | 8 | 8 |
| 7-8 | 6 | 10 |
With 12 pictures given, every empty square can be found by looking at one row. With 6 pictures given, the child has to look at rows, columns and squares together. There are two grids per page.
How to solve a picture sudoku
Look for a row with only one empty square
Name the 3 pictures that are there: the missing one goes in the empty square.
Do the same with columns and small squares
Each new picture can open another row or column.
Tip
Drawing pictures takes time: let the child write the first letter of each picture, or use one color per picture.
After picture sudoku
The generator goes up to ages 7-8. After that, children can move on to sudoku with numbers. Picture sudoku is also part of the logic workbook, with dot to dot, patterns and coding with arrows: see how to make a logic workbook for kids and dot to dot printables.
Questions
At what age can a child do a sudoku?
With pictures instead of numbers, the LogikLand 4 x 4 grids start at ages 4-5, with 12 of the 16 pictures already given.
Does every grid have only one solution?
Yes. Each 4 x 4 grid is checked by the generator, and a grid with more than one solution is not used.
Does my child need to draw the pictures?
Not exactly: children can draw the pictures, write their first letter, or color the squares.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. The PDF has the page and the completed grids.
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Sources
This article is based on LogikLand's own puzzle generators.
Want to make a whole kids workbook?
LogikLand makes complete educational workbooks for ages 3 to 11: math, telling time, handwriting, word games, colouring, money, logic and picture activities, with the answer key at the end. Commercial rights come with the PRO and EXPERT plans.
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