This Easter Egg Sudoku activity is a way to introduce kids as young as preschool to the rules and the use of logical reasoning to solve a problem.
Sudoku is a great activity to strengthen logical reasoning skills and decomposition skills while working with a simple algorithm, or a series of instructions for solving problems.
Computational Thinking Concepts
Computational thinking is a new way of problem solving that involves thinking about a problem in a way that can be solved by using computing tools like logic, decomposition, abstractions, algorithms, patterns, data collection and analysis, and simulation or modeling.
Computational thinking can be used to solve problems in almost all areas of our lives and helps kids develop some pretty great life skills that can apply to a variety of situations.
A computational thinker approaches problems by:
- Experimenting and playing to solve a problem that might have more than one possible solution
- Working together with others to reach a common goal
- Persevering when faced with a difficult problem
- Finding and fixing errors in complex problems
- Designing and making solutions for open-ended problems
- Understanding their own strengths and weaknesses
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Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning is the ability to analyze and make predictions about things or explaining why something is the way that it is.
Easter Egg Sudoku is a great puzzle to use to emphasize the concept of logical reasoning by explaining why an egg cannot go in a certain space. Due to the rules of the puzzle, kids can speak to why each block is not certain egg colors, which helps them to identify the solution.
How to Play Easter Egg Sudoku
This activity is most effective when it is modeled by an adult or older sibling before starting. For example, solve one block space and explain why the square can’t certain eggs.
Repeat the process for columns and rows as well as squares. Use the following rules to reference when modeling your logical reasoning.
- Each Easter egg color can only appear once in each row
- Each Easter egg color can only appear once in each column
- Each Easter egg color can only appear once in each 2X2 block
Use an Algorithm to Solve Your Easter Egg Sudoku Puzzle
An algorithm is a series of instructions to solve a problem. Begin with teaching the rules of Sudoku. You can turn these rules into an algorithm that automates how you are solving each square.
Repeat your algorithm over and over again. Think about how this process starts with a series of steps and evolves into a program that is written for a computer to automate a task. Sudoku like a robot! For example,
- Choose square
- Check row for Easter egg color
- Check column for Easter egg color
- Check box for Easter egg color
- Determine answer
Recommended: Coding the Way Unplugged STEAM Activity
Use Decomposition to Simplify Your Easter Egg Sudoku Puzzle
Decomposition is the process of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, easier to solve, pieces. Focus on each 2X2 grid. Try to solve each square by using the Easter egg colors in the block and following rule #3.
Another way to use decomposition (my personal favorite!) is to work on one letter at a time. For example, start with the purple egg and work your way through the rest of the colors.
Easter Egg Sudoku for Preschoolers to 3rd Grade
Use the Easter Egg pieces to solve this Sudoku worksheet with your preschool through 3rd grade kiddo. Remember to model the logical reasoning process.
For example, solve one block space and explain why the square can’t be a certain color egg. Repeat the process for columns and rows as well as squares.
The worksheet download contains printable Easter egg pieces that you can cut out to use again and again with your puzzle as well as an answer sheet and blank grid for you to create your own puzzles.
For a fun twist, you can even use plastic Easter eggs to complete your puzzles!!
Recommended: Practice Logical Reasoning with Letter Sudoku Unplugged Activity for Kids
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Easter STEAM Activities for Kids
Find more Easter STEAM activities for kids!
Easter Egg Algorithm Art Unplugged Coding Activity
This Easter egg algorithm art activity introduces basic coding skills by giving kids a set of rules and steps to follow to create unique designs for each egg! An algorithm is a set of specific steps that you can follow to solve a problem.
Jelly Bean Sudoku Logical Reasoning Activity for Kids
Work on logical reasoning and colors with this Easter Jelly Bean Sudoku unplugged coding activity for preschoolers to 5th graders!
Easter Ten Frames Jelly Bean Math Activity
A great activity for preschool and kindergarten aged kiddos is working hands-on with objects to learn addition and subtraction. We decided to work with candy corn for our activity, but you can use other objects such as m&ms, fruit loops, popcorn, legos, etc.
Easter Bunny Egg Hunt Coding for Kids
This elementary egg hunt coding activity is a great Easter-themed way to introduce the basics of computer programming to kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Free Printable Easter Worksheets for Kids
There may still be snow on the ground here in Wisconsin, but Spring is quickly approaching! To celebrate, here are some free Easter worksheets for kids! These worksheets include a few different exercises for kids of different learning levels.
Repurpose Crayons: Make Sun Catchers from Crayon Shavings
Repurpose crayons into beautiful sun catchers from crayon shavings! Use crayon shavings to make Easter Egg sun catchers with this repurposed crayon activity perfect for Easter.
Preschool STEAM Easter Sequences Coding with Jelly Beans
Grab these Easter Sequences Preschool Unplugged Coding Activity worksheets to practice sequencing today and finish writing sequences with jelly beans!
Hexadecimal Color by Number Easter Eggs
This Hexadecimal Color-by-Number Easter Egg worksheet is a great introduction to how HTML color coding works and other basic coding skills!
Meet Toni, the Maker Mom behind Our Family Code
Hey there, I’m Toni! I’m a software engineer and Maker Mom that finds my joy in unleashing my children’s curiosity by exploring STEAM concepts with my fantastic five!
When I’m not chasing toddlers or raising tweens, you can find me tearing things up and putting them back together over here at Our Family Code.
I am the owner and content creator of multiple educational websites designed to increase access to STEAM & STEM education with a focus on teaching computer science and coding to kids of all ages!
You can also find out more about me by visiting ToniGardner.com!
