Variations
What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Words placed | 12 of 12 |
| Grid | 13 × 13 squares |
| Margins | 1/2″ |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
An easy animal crossword
Twelve animals children recognise, with clues built on one memorable fact each: the elephant’s trunk, the kangaroo’s pouch, the octopus’s eight arms. The word bank under the grid lists every answer, so children who are still learning to spell can match words to clues and copy them in.
Helping younger solvers
- Read the clues aloud for children who are not yet reading independently.
- Count the squares together. The number after each clue is the length of the answer, a good clue in itself.
- Start with the short words. Owl and Frog are quick wins that give letters for the longer answers.
Next steps
Once the word bank feels too easy, print Without word bank. For more puzzles at this level, the word search for kids and mazes suit the same age, and the crossword maker turns a class topic into a new crossword.
More crossword maker sheets
Frequently asked questions
What are the answers?
Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Penguin, Kangaroo, Octopus, Rabbit, Tiger, Frog, Owl, Camel and Dolphin. They are listed in the word bank and filled in on page 2.
What age is the animal crossword for?
About 6 to 9. The clues use simple facts children know, such as the giraffe's long neck, and the word bank lets early readers match rather than spell from memory.
Can I take the word bank away?
Yes. Choose Without word bank for confident readers, and the clue lists are all they have to go on.
Can I use animals from our class topic?
Yes. Replace the lines with the animals you are studying, one "answer | clue" per line, and print a new puzzle.
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