Printable Word Searches for Kids is a fun way to keep your child entertained for hours on end. With the added benefits of helping them improve their vocabulary, preparing for spelling tests and providing them with some great problem solving skills, word searches are one of my favorite activities for kids.
Benefits of Word Searches
As a child I enjoyed sitting in class doing a word search puzzle and found it very enjoyable to hurry up and be the first one to get them done. However, as a child I did not realize the benefits of doing these puzzles. Little did I know that by just sitting and finding words in a grid I was actually preparing myself for future success in school and life.
Word searches help improve your child’s spelling skills. By looking for words in a grid they are seeing the word multiple times which will help them to remember how to spell it correctly.
They also help with vocabulary. As they are looking for words in the grid they will come across new words that they may not have heard before. By being exposed to new words, they will increase their vocabulary.
Word searches are also great for problem solving skills. Often, in word searches, there is only one correct answer and your child will have to use logic and reasoning to find it. This is a skill that will be used often in adulthood.
Focus and concentration is another skill that your child will improve while doing word searches. They will need to focus in order to find all of the words in the grid. This is a great skill to have as it can be transferred to other areas of their life such as homework and projects.
Last, but not least, word searches are relaxing. After a long day at school or a busy week, doing a word search can help your child to relax and unwind.
So, the next time you are looking for an activity to keep your child occupied, consider doing a word search puzzle. Not only will they have fun, but they will also be gaining important skills that will help them in school and in life.
Here are 20+ printable word searches for kids:
Animal Word Searches
These animal word searches are perfect for kids who love animals. With many different themes to choose from, there is sure to be an animal word search that your child will enjoy.
1. Farm Animals – If your child enjoys farm animals, this farm animal would be a fun way to introduce all the animals to them. It includes words such as cow, sheep, pig and chicken.
2. Sea Animals – For the child who want to learn about sea animals, this sea animal word search includes words such as whale, octopus and starfish.
3. Jungle Animals – This jungle animal word search includes words such as tiger, monkey and lion.
4. Pets – This pets word search includes words such as hamster, dog and fish and would be a fun activity for any child.
Letter Searches
Word searches that are letter based such as sight word searches or alphabet searches are a great way for kids to practice their letter recognition skills. They can also be great spelling test prep. Here are some letter searches that your child is sure to enjoy.
1. Alphabet Search – These alphabet search includes a puzzle for all 26 letters of the alphabet. Plus, it teaches them how to trace the letters.
2. Letter Alphabet Words – This wordsearch offers words that start with each letter of the alphabet. It includes words for the letter “A” such as acorn.
3. Sight Words – This sight words wordsearch is a great way to teach your homeschoolers their sight words and includes words such as the, of and to.
4. CVC Words – This CVC words wordsearch includes words such as hat, mat and rat.
Number Searches
Number word searches can be used as a great learning tool for kids. They can help with counting, identifying numbers and even simple addition and subtraction.
1. Counting to 10 – This number search includes the word form for the numbers 1 to 10 and would be a great way to introduce numbers to your child.
2. Counting to 20 – For the child who is learning how to count past 10, this number search includes the word form for numbers 11 to 20.
Holiday Word Searches
When the holidays role around I often like to find new activities to keep my kids busy. Holiday word searches were always one of my favorite activities to do with my kids. Here are some holiday word searches that your family is sure to enjoy.
1. Christmas – Celebrate the Christmas holiday with Christmas word search. It includes words such as ornament, reindeer and stocking.
2. Valentine’s Day – This Valentine’s day word search can be a great party activity and includes words such as cupid, love and kiss.
3. St. Patrick’s Day – This St. Patrick’s day word search includes words such as leprechaun.
4. Easter – This Easter word search would be fun to use during an egg hunt and includes words such as chick, basket and egg.
5. Halloween – Give this Halloween word search away with candy during Halloween or use it as a special party activity. It includes words such as ghost, pumpkin and bat.
Sports Word Searches
Sports word searches are perfect for kids who love sports. I also think they are a great way to introduce new sports to kids. Here are a few themes to choose from:
1. Football – This football word search includes words such as touchdown, referee and helmet.
2. Soccer – This soccer word is great to teach the positions in soccer and includes words such as forward, dribble, throw-in.
3. Basketball – This basketball word search includes words such as dribble, jump, shoot and ball.
4. Baseball – This baseball word search includes words such as bat, base and home run.
5. Tennis – This tennis word search includes words such as backhand, deuce and fault.
Food Word Searches
One thing I love about food word searches is that they can be used as a learning tool. For example, you can do a word search with your child and talk about the different foods that they find. Here are a few themes to choose from:
1. Fruits – This fruits word search is great for the fruit lover and includes words such as apple, banana and grapefruit.
2. Vegetables – This vegetables word search is great for teaching all the vegetables and includes words such as carrot, celery and corn.
3. Desserts – If you have a tasty treats fan in your home, then this desserts word search would be fun. It includes words such as cupcake, donut and ice cream.
5. Breakfast Foods – For a cute way to teach your kid all the breakfast food, try this word search. This breakfast foods word search includes words such as waffle, pancake and toast.
Theme Searches
If you are looking for a way to motivate your children to enjoy learning, try using themed word searches. These word searches can be used on a specific subject that your child is struggling with or simply as a way to introduce a new topic. Here are a few themes to choose from:
1. Disney Characters – A Disney character word search like this one would be fun for any Disney fan and includes words such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.
2. Dinosaurs – If you have a child who enjoys dinosaur, this dinosaur word search is perfect for the dinosaur fan in your home and includes words such as bones, claws and eggs.
3. Colors – Teaching your child colors would be easier with this colors word search. It includes words such as yellow, blue and green.
4. Shapes – This shapes word search could be used for a homeschool activity and includes words such as square, rectangle and circle.
5. Unicorns – These Unicorn word search are great because they come in a set of three and includes words such as glitter, wings, and magical.
Word Searches for Older Kids
For the child in your home who enjoys a challenge, try one of these word searches for older kids. They are perfect for kids who are looking for a mental workout!
1. Geography Words – This geography word search would be a useful tool for your child’s geography class or something to do for fun and it includes words such as continent, area and eco system.
2. Science Words – This science word search would be a fun activity after a science lesson and it includes words such as matter, measure, and beaker.
3. Math Words – This math word search is a great challenge and it includes words such as algebra, geometry and pentagon.
4. Bible Words – Use this Bible word search for a bible study lesson. It includes the words such as Jesus, Moses and David.
Ways to Use Printable Word Searches
There are so many different ways you can use printable word searches for kids too. Here are some ideas:
-As a time filler during those long road trips
-A fun way to learn spelling words
-A rainy day activity
-A great party game
-A way to bond with your child – doing a word search together is a great way to spend some quality time with your child.
Tips for Making Word Searches Fun
There are a few things you can do to make word searches more challenging and fun:
1. Use a timer – set a timer for a certain amount of time and see how many words you can find in that time.
2. Use difficult words – choose harder words that are not so easy to find.
3. Make it a competition – see who can find the most words in a certain amount of time.
4. Use themed word searches – choose word searches based on a certain topic or theme.
5. Get creative – make up your own word search puzzles.
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Printable word searches are a great way to keep kids entertained and can be used for a variety of different purposes. There are so many different word searches available on the internet, so you are sure to find one that your child will enjoy. Why not try a few out today?