Sudoku with Images

Sudoku with images can be an excellent way to engage individuals with dementia in a mentally stimulating activity. It offers cognitive benefits, such as improving memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, while being visually engaging and easier to understand than traditional number-based Sudoku.

You will need a Sudoku puzzle template with blank squares and a set of images to use instead of numbers. You can find printable Sudoku templates online.

Select a set of images that are familiar and visually distinct. Examples include animals, fruits, flowers, or other simple and recognizable pictures. Make sure you have multiple copies of each image.

Fill in some of the squares on the Sudoku template with the chosen images, ensuring that the rules of Sudoku are followed (each image should appear only once in each row, column, and subgrid). Leave the remaining squares blank for the participant to fill in.

Explain the basic rules of Sudoku to the participant. Show them how each row, column, and subgrid should contain each image exactly once. Start with a simple demonstration of how to place an image in one of the blank squares, ensuring that the rules are followed. Encourage the participant to follow along.

• Cognitive Stimulation: Solving puzzles may enhance memory, attention, and logical thinking skills.
• Visual Engagement: Using images instead of numbers makes the puzzle more visually appealing and easier to understand.