Variations
What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Grid | 9 × 9 letters |
| Words hidden | 8 of 8 |
| Margins | 1/2″ |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
First word searches
A word search is a gentle reading activity: children look for familiar words, letter by letter, and get a small win each time they find one. Keeping the grid small and the directions simple makes the first puzzles achievable, which matters more than difficulty for early readers.
Ideas for the classroom and home
- Build a puzzle from the week’s spelling list for homework.
- Use topic words from science or history as a fun review.
- Make a party puzzle with the names of the guests.
- Give early finishers a medium puzzle with diagonals.
Printing tips
Print at 100% / Actual size. Print page 1 only for children and keep page 2 as the answer key.
More word search maker sheets
Frequently asked questions
What makes these easy?
A small grid (8 to 10 squares), large letters, and words placed only across from left to right or down from top to bottom, the two directions children read in.
Can I use this week's spelling words?
Yes. Type the words, separated by commas or new lines, and the puzzle is built from them. Spelling list puzzles are a popular homework activity.
How many words should I use?
Six to ten short words for a 9 × 9 grid. If a word does not fit, the spec line tells you; make the grid bigger or remove a word.
Is there an answer key?
Yes, page 2 highlights every word.
Can each child get a different puzzle?
Yes. Press New puzzle between prints, or change the puzzle number, for a different arrangement of the same words.
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