Crossword puzzles are a classic way to practice spelling, vocabulary and reading, and these crossword puzzles for kids are made for children who are just starting. Each of the six printable crosswords has 11 or 12 words, simple clues written for ages 6 to 10 and a full answer key on page 2. The themes are animals, farm, food, ocean, school and space, and they run from easy to harder so that a child can move up as they grow in confidence. All the crossword puzzles for kids are free to print.
Quick answer: print one, read a clue aloud together and write the answer in the numbered squares, one letter per square. Start with the animal or farm puzzle, which has the shortest words, and move up to the school and space puzzles. If you are stuck, use the crossing letters or peek at the answer key on page 2.
Printable crossword puzzles for kids (PDF)
Six crosswords, each a two-page PDF: the puzzle with clues on page 1 and the solved grid on page 2. Click a picture to open it.
Which of the crossword puzzles for kids should you start with?
| Puzzle | Level | Sample answers | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animals and farm | Easy | cat, dog, frog, horse, barn, cow | Ages 6 to 7 and first-time solvers |
| Food and ocean | Medium | apple, lemon, bread, crab, shark, shell | Ages 7 to 9 |
| School and space | Harder | pencil, teacher, recess, planet, galaxy, orbit | Ages 8 to 10 |
How to solve a crossword step by step
- Read the clue. Say it aloud and think of a word that fits the meaning.
- Count the squares. The answer must have the same number of letters as the squares in its row or column.
- Start with the easy ones. Fill in the answers you know first.
- Use the crossing words. A letter you already wrote gives you a hint for the word that crosses it.
- Check the answer key. Turn to page 2 to see the solved grid.
Crossword words every child should know
- Across: a word that runs from left to right.
- Down: a word that runs from top to bottom.
- Clue: a hint that tells you what the word means.
- Crossing letter: a letter shared by an across word and a down word.
- Clue number: the little number in the first square that links the square to its clue.
What crosswords teach
- Spelling: each letter has to go in the right square, so children think about every letter.
- Vocabulary: clues describe a word, which stretches how children think about meaning.
- Problem solving: children use crossing letters to work out answers they did not know.
- Patience: filling a grid takes time, and the finished puzzle gives a satisfying result.
Tips for parents and teachers
Work on the first puzzle together. Read the clues aloud, ask the child to say the answer and let them write the letters. Praise a good guess even if it does not fit.
Keep a pencil with an eraser close by, because changing an answer is part of solving. If a clue is too hard, skip it and come back later, since the crossing letters from other answers often make it easy. Stop after one puzzle if the child gets tired, and save the next one for another day. For a group, hand each child a copy and let them work in pairs, or put the clues on a board and solve one puzzle together. A crossword is also a quiet morning job for early finishers, with the answer key kept at the teacher’s desk.
How these sheets are made
Every sheet is generated by a program. The words and clues were written for this page. A program places the words so that they cross correctly, with no two words running side by side, numbers the squares and prints the answer key from the same grid. The pictures are Noto Emoji artwork from Google, used under the Apache License 2.0; the project is on GitHub. A credit line is printed on every page.
Choose crossword puzzles for kids that match your child’s reading level, then move up as they get more confident.
Frequently asked questions
6 quick answers
Are these crossword puzzles for kids free to print?
Yes. Print as many copies as you like for your own children or class, with no account or sign-up.
What age are these crosswords for?
They are written for ages 6 to 10. The animal and farm puzzles suit ages 6 and 7, the food and ocean puzzles suit ages 7 to 9, and the school and space puzzles suit ages 8 to 10.
Do the crosswords have answer keys?
Yes. Page 2 of every PDF shows the solved grid.
How many words are in each puzzle?
Each puzzle has 11 or 12 words, which keeps the grid small enough for a child to finish in one sitting.
Are the clues original?
Yes. The clues were written for these puzzles in plain, child-friendly language, and each one avoids giving away the answer.
What if my child cannot read all the clues?
Read the clues aloud and let the child find the answer. They can also use the answer key to learn how the words fit together.
More puzzles to print
- Word search generator and hidden message word search.
- Word scramble printable with picture clues.
- Printable sudoku and printable mazes.
- Dot to dot printables.
- Riddles for kids and rebus puzzles.
- Every puzzle and brain teaser on PrintSheetLab.
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