All six Christmas word lists
Read a list before you print to pick the puzzle that suits your child. Each puzzle has its own words — none repeats within a level.
Starter: 8 words · 10 × 10 grid · Across → and down ↓
Starter Puzzle 1
- Tree
- Star
- Gift
- Bell
- Snow
- Sled
- Elf
- Santa
Starter Puzzle 2
- Toy
- Bow
- Joy
- Card
- Angel
- Mitten
- Scarf
- Cocoa
Starter Puzzle 3
- Ice
- Cold
- Jolly
- Sing
- Frost
- Lights
- Merry
- Sleigh
Explorer: 12 words · 12 × 12 grid · Across →, down ↓ and diagonal ↘
Explorer Puzzle 1
- Reindeer
- Stocking
- Ornament
- Snowman
- Ginger
- Cookie
- Ribbon
- Candle
- Wreath
- Carol
- Winter
- Holly
Explorer Puzzle 2
- Chimney
- Fireplace
- Presents
- Tinsel
- Garland
- Mistletoe
- Pinecone
- Snowflake
- Icicle
- Blizzard
- Sweater
- Holiday
Explorer Puzzle 3
- Workshop
- Toymaker
- Rudolph
- North Pole
- Sugarplum
- Candy Cane
- Celebrate
- Family
- Snowball
- Jingle
- Twinkle
- Wrapping
Which level fits your child?
Both levels suit children aged about 6 to 9, but reading confidence matters more than age. A child who is still sounding out words will enjoy Starter; a child who reads short chapter books is usually ready for Explorer. As a rough guide, Starter suits many 1st and 2nd graders and Explorer many 2nd and 3rd graders. Neither level hides words backward.
Starter · 8 words · 10 × 10
Short, familiar Christmas words of 3–6 letters, like “Santa”. Words only run across and down, so children can scan one row or column at a time.
Explorer · 12 words · 12 × 12
Longer words of up to 9 letters, like “Snowflake”, in a bigger grid. Words also run diagonally, which asks for more careful looking.
Not sure?
Start with Starter. Finishing a puzzle feels better than giving up halfway, and you can print an Explorer puzzle next time.
Talk about the words
Christmas lists mix winter weather with holiday traditions, which gives you plenty to chat about while the search goes on.
Compound words
Snowman, Snowflake, Snowball, Fireplace, Pinecone, Workshop and Toymaker are each two small words joined together. Can your child split them?
Winter weather
Snow, Ice, Icicle, Blizzard, Cold and Winter describe the season. Which have you seen where you live?
Tricky spellings
Wreath uses “ea”, Holly has a double “l”, and Sleigh hides a silent “gh”.
Spot it at home
Find a word on the page, then look for it around the house — a Gift with a Ribbon or Bow, a Mitten, a Scarf, a Cookie.
Ways to use these Christmas word searches
The last week of school
A festive puzzle is a calm activity for the busy days before the winter break.
While the cookies bake
A Starter puzzle is a good match for the wait before the oven timer goes off.
Family gatherings
Print one of each level so younger and older cousins can join in at the same table.
Printing tips
- Choose US Letter in the United States and Canada, and A4 almost everywhere else. The layout is made separately for each, so nothing is cut off.
- Print at actual size (100%) rather than “fit to page” to keep the letters large and evenly spaced.
- Everything is black and white. Draft or ink-saving mode still leaves the grid easy to read.
- The answer key circles each hidden letter, so it works on a black-and-white printer too.
- Each page carries a small puzzle ID, such as MWS-1594VM4, printed on both the puzzle and its answer key so the pair is easy to match.
Frequently asked questions
Which Christmas word search is easiest?
Starter Puzzle 1: Tree, Star, Gift, Bell, Snow, Sled, Elf and Santa, hidden across and down in a 10 × 10 grid.
How are the three Christmas puzzles at each level different?
Each has its own word list with no repeats within a level. Explorer Puzzle 1 collects classic Christmas words, Puzzle 2 leans toward winter at home and Puzzle 3 toward Santa’s workshop.
Can I print them for a holiday party?
Yes. Each puzzle is one black-and-white page with a separate answer key, so it is easy to print a stack for a party table.
Can I change the words in the Christmas word search?
Yes. Choose “Customize this word search” below the download buttons, or open the word search generator with the Christmas words already filled in. Swap, add or remove words, then download your own puzzle and answer key.
Are these printables free?
Yes. All six puzzles and their answer keys are free PDFs, with no account or email needed.