Animal Sudoku Challenge

For kids

Sudoku is a fun number puzzle! This version uses cute animals instead of numbers. Let's learn how to solve it!

What is Sudoku?

Sudoku is a puzzle where you fill in a grid so that each row, column, and small square has all the numbers from 1 to the size of the square. In our case, it uses animals!

• Each animal can only appear once in each row.
• Each animal can only appear once in each column.
• Each animal can only appear once in each small square (usually a 2x2 or 3x3 box).

Let's Try a Mini Animal Sudoku

Here's a super simple 2x2 Animal Sudoku. It only has four squares and uses four different animals: a lion, a monkey, a zebra, and an elephant. Each row, column, and 2x2 square must have one of each animal.

Look at the puzzle below. Can you figure out where the missing animals should go?

Hint: What animal is missing from the bottom row?

Tips for Solving Sudoku

• Start with the easiest: Look for rows, columns, or squares that are almost full.
• Elimination: If you know an animal is already in a row, column, or square, it can't go in the other empty spaces in that row, column, or square!
• Pencil marks: If you're using paper, you can lightly write possible animals in the empty squares.
• Check and double-check: Before filling in an animal, make sure it doesn't break any of the rules.

Sudoku puzzles are a great way to exercise your brain and have fun at the same time! Keep practicing, and you'll become a Sudoku master in no time!