Word Search Puzzles for Kids

This subcategory brings together printable word search activities for home and classroom use. Start with Word Search for Kids or Easy Word Search, then choose a theme that matches your child's interests or current lesson. The topic pages include Animal Word Search, Fruits Word Search, Sight Words Word Search, Space Word Search, Ocean Word Search, Festival Word Search, Body Parts Word Search, Sports Word Search and Seasons Word Search. Each puzzle asks your child to find words hidden across a letter grid, usually from left to right, top to bottom or diagonally.

Use the size of the grid, the length of the words and the number of directions as a guide. For a child who is new to word search, begin with Easy Word Search and sit together for the first few words. A child who reads simple sentences may manage Sight Words Word Search or Body Parts Word Search. Older children can try Space, Ocean, Sports or Seasons puzzles with longer words and diagonal or backwards clues. You can give a word bank for support or cover it for a greater challenge.

At home, print one puzzle for a quiet activity after reading time, or let your child choose a theme for a weekend puzzle folder. Ask your child to circle each word and read it aloud after finding it. In class, use a themed puzzle as a vocabulary starter before a lesson on body parts, fruits, seasons or festivals. Children can work in pairs, take turns finding words, and use any new words in short sentences. Keep a pencil and a few coloured pencils ready for marking.

Open a topic page and select the printable you want to use. Most EarlyActivity printables are free, and you need a free account to download them. A free account can download up to 20 printables a day. The files are PDFs sized for A4 and US Letter paper. In your printer settings, choose Actual size or 100 percent so the grid stays clear. You may print them for home or your own classroom. Sharing or reselling the files is not allowed.