Buying guide

Calm Puzzle Ladder Step 3: Next Steps

Step 3 adds the first real new idea since Step 1: logic. Alongside bigger mazes and word searches, small 4 by 4 number puzzles introduce the rules of sudoku using only the numbers 1 to 4.

By the Buy Activity Books team · Updated October 27, 2026 · 3 min read

The short answer

Step 3 suits a child who finishes small mazes and four-word word searches on their own. Mazes grow from 5 by 5 to 9 by 9, word searches hide six words including diagonal ones, and 4 by 4 number puzzles introduce sudoku rules with just the numbers 1 to 4.

Key takeaways

Introduces logic with 4 by 4 number puzzles.
Word searches add diagonal words.
Every number puzzle has exactly one answer.
Three puzzle types, alternating predictably.

Our pack for puzzles for autistic children

Adds 4 by 4 logicGrowing puzzlers, any age

Calm Puzzles Step 3: Next Steps

The next calm step: mazes from 5 by 5 to 9 by 9, 8 by 8 word searches with six words, and 4 by 4 number puzzles that introduce sudoku logic with only the numbers 1 to 4. The same predictable layout on every page.

8 mazes, 8 word searches and 8 mini number puzzles
4 by 4 number puzzles: sudoku logic with just 1 to 4
Every number puzzle checked to have exactly one answer
Same layout, page count and I finished! box on every page

See inside →

At a glance

	Step 3: Next Steps
Best for	Ladder step 3
Puzzles	24
Grid	Mazes 5 to 9, 8 by 8 word search, 4 by 4 number puzzles
Difficulty	Adds diagonal words and 4 by 4 logic
Pages (A4)	32
Answer key	Yes
Paper sizes	A4 and US Letter
Price	$4.99

Signs Step 3 is the right start

Step 2 pages are done independently and calmly.
The child enjoys rules and finding the one right answer.
A 6 by 6 maze no longer feels like much of a challenge.
Numbers 1 to 4 are familiar.

What is inside

Eight mazes from 5 by 5 to 9 by 9, eight word searches on an 8 by 8 grid with six words each, and eight 4 by 4 number puzzles. The three types alternate in a fixed order: maze, word search, number puzzle.

Teaching the 4 by 4 rule

Show a finished puzzle from the answer key first.
Point out that each row has 1, 2, 3 and 4 once.
Show the same for each column, and each thick-lined box of four.
In a new puzzle, find a row with three numbers. Which one is missing?
Write it in. Repeat until the grid is full.

Diagonal words

Step 3 word searches add one new direction: diagonally down to the right. It helps to show this with a finger on the first puzzle. Words still never run backwards or upwards.

Moving on to Step 4

When 4 by 4 number puzzles and 9 by 9 mazes feel easy, Step 4 brings 6 by 6 number puzzles, bigger mazes and word searches with longer words on interest topics.

How we make every puzzle

Every puzzle in our packs is generated and then checked by computer before it is allowed into a pack. Anything that fails a check is thrown away and replaced.

One route per maze
Every maze is a perfect maze, so there is exactly one way through.
One solution per sudoku
Each sudoku is solved by computer and kept only if it has one answer.
Every word once
Each word-search word is checked to appear exactly once in its grid.
Answers included
Every pack ends with a full answer key, in A4 and US Letter.

Questions about puzzles for autistic children

Is a 4 by 4 number puzzle a sudoku?+

It follows the same rules as sudoku on a smaller grid: each row, column and box contains each number once.

What if my child only likes the mazes?+

That is fine. Use the maze pages and keep the others for later, or try Calm Number Logic if numbers become the favourite.

How fast do I get it?+

Straight away. The download page opens as soon as payment goes through, and a link is emailed to you as well, so there is no shipping and no wait.

Are the answers included?+

Yes. Every pack ends with a full answer key, so a parent, teacher or the solver can check the work.