Word Search
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Words to find
These puzzles are made for young readers. The grid is small enough to take in at a glance, the words are ones children meet every day, and the colours that mark each found word make it easy to see progress. There are 40 word lists to choose from, picked at random each game.
Two levels for growing readers
Starter
An 8 × 8 grid with 6 words of 3 to 6 letters. Words run left to right or top to bottom only.
Big kids
A 10 × 10 grid with 8 words. Some words now run diagonally down the grid.
Word lists for kids
Animals, On the farm, Under the sea, Birds, Minibeasts, Pets, Dinosaurs, Fruit, Vegetables, Breakfast, Puddings and sweets, In the kitchen, In the garden, Flowers, Weather, Space, Things that glow, Colours, Shapes, The human body, Clothes, Jobs, Sports, Musical instruments, Getting around, At the seaside, Camping, At school, Around the house, Toys and games, Once upon a time, At the circus, Rainforest, Polar lands, Feelings, Out for a walk, Through the year, Party time, Pirates, Opposites.
Tips for helping a child play
- Read the list together first. Say each word out loud and talk about the first letter before starting to search.
- Look for the first letter. Ask your child to find every D in the grid, then check which one starts DUCK.
- Use a finger. Sliding a finger along each row keeps young eyes on track.
- Use a hint without worry. A hint only makes the first letter of a word flash. It is a nudge, not the answer.
- Print a few. Paper puzzles are good for car journeys, waiting rooms and wet afternoons.
For teachers
Each press of New game gives a different grid, so a class can work on different puzzles from the same list, or the same printed puzzle together. Nothing on the site needs a login, and there is no chat or contact between players.
Questions from parents and teachers
What age is this word search for?
Starter suits children who are beginning to read on their own, usually around five to seven. Big kids suits confident readers, roughly seven and up. Every child is different, so try both.
Are the words safe for children?
Yes. Kids puzzles only use word lists written with young players in mind, such as Pets, Fruit, Weather and Pirates. The random letters that fill the gaps are checked so they never spell anything rude.
Can I print word searches for my class?
Yes. Press Print to get the grid and its word list on one page, with a tick box next to each word. Press New game for another grid and print again.
Does my child need an account?
No. There are no accounts, no chat and nothing to download. Progress is saved in the browser on the device being used.
When your child is ready for more, the Easy word search has a 10 × 10 grid with 8 words that run across and down.