Free word search maker

Make your word search puzzle as complex or easy as you want

As a learning tool, a word search helps improve vocabulary, spelling, and pattern recognition skills. As a game, it’s a really fun way to pass the time. Combining these work-and-play functions can be a challenge. In addition, you need to consider the age and learning abilities of your students.

Good thing Canva makes the job easier with its word search templates. If you’re a busy teacher, you don’t have to start from scratch. Go simple with a 9x9 grid or create a more difficult puzzle with a 15x15 template. Tweak to simplify it or make it more complex. Customize the puzzle’s font style, size, and color, too.

Plus, you can design a puzzle according to the lesson or occasion. Creating a word search for Christmas? Add a Santa icon and snowflakes. Making a puzzle for a science class? Throw in some farm animals or an astronaut. Put a soccer ball for sports-themed word hunts, a violin for music class, or fruits for nutrition day. Whatever’s the lesson of the week, you can customize your word search puzzle to a T.

Generate a word search through collaboration

Coming up with ice-breaker activities can feel like a task. So make things easier by collaborating with your fellow educators. Brainstorm⁠(opens in a new tab or window) word search themes that can be used by different classes. Create customized word search templates together—one that can be easily modified in the future.

Collaborating is easy when you use Canva’s online word search maker. Share the link to your design, so colleagues can check for errors, give feedback, and even make direct edits to the puzzle. For a more exciting classroom activity, you can divide your students into groups, which can be both word search creators and solvers. Those who come up with the best word hunt will win a prize. There will surely be no dull moments in class.

Make tests and evaluations less stressful

Not all learners are great at taking quizzes⁠(opens in a new tab or window); some might find it hard to think clearly under pressure.

Apart from exams, puzzles can help you gauge students’ progress. For example, an occasional word search game can be an informal test of their vocabulary and spelling prowess. Introduce it as a fun and low-stakes quiz to encourage them to do their best.

Make a word search that fits your subject and your students’ learning level. Apply an appealing color palette⁠(opens in a new tab or window) and add amusing elements like vectors and stickers to brighten the layout. Give your word search a title, too.

Introduce your word search puzzles as an enjoyable form of downtime during class, so learners feel free to apply themselves to the worksheet as best as they can.