About the MakeWordSearch Team
MakeWordSearch makes free printable word searches for children ages 6–9 (about grades 1–3) and for the parents and teachers who print them.
What we make
Each theme page has six ready-made puzzles: three at the Starter level and three at the Explorer level, each with its own answer key in US Letter and A4. If you want your own words, the word search generator makes a puzzle from your list.
How every ready-made puzzle is checked
- Word lists follow fixed rules for each level: Starter uses 8 words of 3–6 letters across and down; Explorer uses 12 words of up to 9 letters and adds a diagonal. No words are hidden backward.
- Every Explorer puzzle hides at least two words diagonally, so the instructions always match the grid.
- Every grid is scanned in all eight directions against a watch list of rude and unkind words. If the filler letters spell one, or cross a puzzle word to spell one, the puzzle gets a new layout.
- Each word appears only once in its grid, so the answer key never circles one copy while another sits elsewhere.
- The preview, the puzzle PDF and the answer key all come from the same puzzle, and each one shows the same puzzle ID.
- Beyond these automated checks, word lists, puzzles and page text get a separate review, done with AI review tools, before they are published.
What we don’t do
- No accounts and no email sign-up to download.
- No ads inside the PDFs or on the word search generator.
- Words you type into the generator stay in your browser. They are not uploaded or saved.
Read more in our privacy policy and terms of use.
Contact us
Spotted a problem in a puzzle, or have an idea for a theme? Email us at [email protected]. The contact page lists what helps us find the puzzle you mean.
Frequently asked questions
Who is behind MakeWordSearch?
The MakeWordSearch Team. We choose the word lists, write the pages and run every ready-made puzzle through the checks described above before it goes up.
Can I use these puzzles in my classroom?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your class or your family. Please share a link to the page rather than reposting or selling the PDFs. Each puzzle is a single black-and-white page with a separate answer key. The terms of use have the details.