Word
Search Maker
Create your own custom word search worksheets! A variety of options
are available including font size, font style, lowercase or uppercase
letters, grid shape, word placement, and more.
Experiment with the settings below to find the best results for
printing. You may also need to adjust your browser’s page setup (change
margins, header/footer, or switch to landscape/portrait mode), then
go to ‘Print Preview’ before printing. These options are under your
browser’s File menu. Landscape mode works best for many puzzles.
Also, set your margins to 0.5″ or less.
Before you create your puzzle, you might also
want to highlight your word list and press Ctrl+C to keep a copy
of it on your computer’s clipboard. That way, if you need to come
back and change settings, you can paste the words into the blank
by pressing Ctrl+V. Otherwise you’ll have to re-type them.
(These
shortcut
commands work on Windows systems.)
PLEASE NOTE: If you are concerned about inappropriate words in the randomized letters, be sure to proofread before handing out to students.
Word searches, or word finds, are great boredom busters for all ages!
These word finds are relaxing and fun. They are a great way to take a break from digital technology and are a really simple way to engage in a little brain activity. You can keep them in your handbag for those moments when the kids need a bit of distracting (waiting rooms, anyone?!). Or pack them in the car when you’re heading away on holiday. And they are a great way to celebrate upcoming holidays. We often rely on food and decorations to set the scene, but activities like these can really get you in the holiday spirit too!
Are word finds good for the brain?
You betcha!
“Studies have shown that word search and other puzzles can help improve memory, focus, vocabulary, and overall mental acuity.”
Ask Science: Is word search good for your brain? www.funster.com
But what’s better than doing a word find, I hear you ask? Creating your own! These are such a fun way to make your own activities for your kids. And after you’ve set a few down in front of them, I bet they’ll be wanting to try it out for themselves. You can choose a theme that suits you, such as sports your family likes, or places you each want to travel and really personalise it. It’s as easy as that! And a great way for kids to create challenges for each other (not to mention the obvious sneaky spelling lesson – shhh!).
Do-it-yourself word finds
Learn how to create your own word find
- Write a list of words
Brainstorm words to fit your theme. It’s fun to have some easier and some harder. I use ten words for 5-8 years old, fifteen words for 9-12 years old and twenty words for teens (and adults!).
- Prepare the grid
You can create one yourself, or use my template here. Simply open it up, save a copy to your own computer and then close mine so that you don’t get mixed up between the two. My template has options for all three age groups, so you can select the one you like or use all three.
- Enter the words into the grid
These can be up, down, across, backwards, diagonal – any direction you like. This is how you make your word search easier or harder. I think the hardest words to find are backwards, on the diagonal! They can either overlap each other, or go in separately. As you enter the words make sure to list them below the table also, so that you remember which ones you have already added.
- Fill in the rest of the grid
Fill in all of the blank spaces with random letters. This does take a little more attention than you’d think and you need to watch out for any naughty words that you might accidentally spell. I also like to put in a few false starts, either around the start of the word or by starting to spell the first few letters of a word in a completely different spot. This plays tricks on the eye and makes you work harder to find the word. I put in a few double “s” or “t” to catch the eye also, and “ing” or “ent”. Your brain likes to look for patterns – give it a challenge!
- Finishing touches
Whether you are using your own grid, or using my template, you might like to get rid of the grid now. Select the table properties and choose ‘0 pt’ for the table border. And add some graphics or colour if you want to fancy it up a bit. Your word find is ready to go! Print it out and have some fun.
DIY word finds – the shortcut
Short on time or effort? No worries! You can still make your own word find, choose your theme and create your own list of words without the hassle. Discovery Education has an awesome word search puzzle generator. You enter the list of words and it will populate the grid for you!
TheWordSearch.com also has a pretty cool generator. Not only can you create and print out your own puzzles, but it generates a URL (a web address) for your very own word find so you can email the link to someone else. That’s a great way for the kids to send their own creations to the grandparents. Then they can either print it off or play it online.
I was going to suggest a third one that was pretty cool because you can use their pre-made list and it has a built in checker for bad words, but you can pretty easily (and mistakenly) click on ‘edit the bad word list’ and before you realise it you’re staring down every bad word you could think of. So just in case the kiddos are following these instructions, we’ll leave that one out for today 🙂
Not ready to make your own? Check out these free holiday word search printables.
- Christmas word find printables (suitable for all ages)
- Easter word find printables (suitable for all ages)
-
Title:
-
Instructions:
-
These word search puzzles were made here! -
Our MOST ASKED QUESTION:
How do I make multi-word entries?
Colorado Springs
I Have a Dream
United States, etc.
It’s simple! Click the video —>
-
Make «Hidden Message» Word Searches!
Watch our video to learn how you can create a puzzle inside of a puzzle, commonly called a Hidden Message Word Search puzzle!Please SUBSCRIBE to our
- Do you want UPPERCASE or lowercase? We’ve always had that ability! It is in the blue menu after making the puzzle under «Advanced Options…» we have LOTS of options in that menu. We get asked everyday for options that are already there! Don’t cheat yourself out of the perfect puzzle by not looking for it in the blue menu on the left.
-
Rows
(10-50)
-
Columns
(10-50)
- Grid styles
- Language
- Word Placement
-
Show Grid Lines
Yes
No -
Place Word List:
Hide word list
Sort word list alphabetically
- # of columns for word list if ‘Bottom’ list is chosen above.
- TIP: Use the «Fun Options» for neat options like:
1. Hide «WordSearchPuzzle» but show «Word Search Puzzle» in the word list! and
2. Hide «SantaClaus» but show «Who visits on Christmas?»
Watch the video below for more fun tips!
Choose up to 3 fonts + Arial (default)
Check out our «Fun Options» video, then click the button below!
I understand that by clicking «Fun Options» below, it will lock out my word list above to further changes, and saving options will be unavailable.
Fun Options
Make your own word search puzzles with the Word Search Maker! This easy-to-use tool allows you to provide your own word list and create custom word searches in minutes. You can then download and print them instantly, or play online the pre-made puzzles right away. So get creative and have some fun!
How do you create custom Word Search Puzzles?
It’s easy! Just provide your word list and the Word Search Maker will create a puzzle for you.
- Enter your words into the text box provided. Make sure to add no more than 30 words.
- Select the theme or topics of your word search.
- Words should only include letters from a-z – uppercase or lowercase. You can use space and dash but these will be omitted while searching for your word search.
- Make sure not to use any personal information if you want your puzzles added to our database.
- When you are ready, click on “Regenerate” and the word search will be generated for you.
- If you want to download and print your word search puzzle, just click on “Download PDF.” The word search will be downloaded as a PDF file which you can then print.
NOTE: These are randomly generated words so be sure to proofread carefully before using. You can also regenerate the puzzle with new array of words.
Create your free, printable wordsearch here:
Enter a page title:
Enter the number of letters across:
Enter the number of letters down:
Select the directions you would like to have the words go:
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
Would you like the letters in the wordsearch grid to be UPPERCASE or lowercase letters?
UPPERCASE
lowercase
Enter each word you would like to try to fit in the puzzle on a new line:
Please Note: The computer will try to place as many
words as possible into the puzzle, but some words may not be used. Also, please
be aware that
the computer will automatically fill in left over spaces with random letters
— these random letters may form words, it is up to you, the creator, to check
for any offensive or unwanted words. If you do not like the way the puzzle
is created use the refresh button on the browser to generate a new puzzle.
Click here to learn more about the other activities EdCreate has to offer!
Create a wordsearch that can be played and saved online:
Play an online wordsearch example
or Create a free trial and start creating your own online wordfind!