All six Halloween 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
- Bat
- Cat
- Ghost
- Witch
- Candy
- Mask
- Moon
- Broom
Starter Puzzle 2
- Owl
- Hat
- Night
- Boo
- Spell
- Cape
- Wand
- Fog
Starter Puzzle 3
- Web
- Bone
- Mummy
- Trick
- Party
- Crow
- Orange
- Black
Explorer: 12 words · 12 × 12 grid · Across →, down ↓ and diagonal ↘
Explorer Puzzle 1
- Pumpkin
- Costume
- Spider
- Lantern
- Monster
- Skeleton
- Wizard
- Cauldron
- Goblin
- Treat
- Haunted
- Cobweb
Explorer Puzzle 2
- Vampire
- Scarecrow
- Haystack
- Hayride
- Moonlight
- Potion
- Bonfire
- Doorbell
- Caramel
- Cider
- Autumn
- Mystery
Explorer Puzzle 3
- Pirate
- Princess
- Superhero
- Dress Up
- Fairy
- Dragon
- Crown
- Lollipop
- Werewolf
- Shadow
- Spooky
- Black Cat
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 Halloween words of 3–6 letters, like “Ghost”. 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 “Scarecrow”, 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.
A friendly kind of spooky
These puzzles mix costumes, pumpkins and autumn fun with the classic Halloween cast — Ghost, Witch, Skeleton, Mummy, Vampire and Monster. Nothing is gory: every word is the kind you would find on a costume rack or a party invitation.
Reading the list aloud before you start means no word is a surprise, which helps children who are a little nervous about Halloween.
Talk about the words
Rhyme time
Bat, Cat and Hat all rhyme. So do Night and Moonlight. Can your child think of another rhyme for each?
Tricky spellings
The “tch” in Witch and the silent “h” in Ghost are worth pointing out. Owl and Crow both use “ow” but sound different.
Costume ideas
Pirate, Princess, Superhero, Fairy, Dragon and Wizard are all hiding in the grids. Which would your child choose?
Autumn words
Pumpkin, Hayride, Haystack, Autumn and Cider are about the season as much as the holiday.
Ways to use these Halloween word searches
A Halloween party table
Print a few copies of one puzzle and let children race to find the most words.
Waiting for trick-or-treating
A calm puzzle helps pass the time while costumes go on and it gets dark.
A classroom treat
Starter and Explorer puzzles side by side let mixed-age groups join in together.
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
Are these Halloween word searches too scary for young kids?
They are meant to be spooky in a friendly way, not scary. Starter Puzzle 1 and Puzzle 2 stay with Bat, Cat, Ghost, Witch, Candy, Owl and Wand; Starter Puzzle 3 and the Explorer puzzles add Mummy, Skeleton, Vampire and Monster. All six word lists are printed above, so take a look before you choose.
Which Halloween puzzle is easiest?
Starter Puzzle 1: Bat, Cat, Ghost, Witch, Candy, Mask, Moon and Broom, hidden across and down.
Can I use these for a Halloween class party?
Yes. Each puzzle is a single black-and-white page, so it is quick to print several copies, and the answer key is a separate page for the teacher.
Can I change the words in the Halloween word search?
Yes. Choose “Customize this word search” below the download buttons, or open the word search generator with the Halloween 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.