Free Thanksgiving Word Search for Kids
This free Thanksgiving word search is a calm, happy way to fill the hours before the big dinner. I made it in three levels, so little ones, big kids and grown ups can all hunt for words at the same table.
Finding words like turkey, harvest and grateful is real spelling and reading practice, but it feels like a game. Every puzzle comes with a color coded answer key, and there is a lowercase version and a bright color version too.
Perfect for:
- the kids’ table at Thanksgiving dinner
- class parties and the last day before Thanksgiving break
- early finishers in November
- quiet time while the turkey is in the oven
- long drives to visit family
Difficulty Level
| Level | Words | Grid | Directions | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 10 words | 10 x 10 | Across and down only | Preschool to 1st grade |
| Medium | 18 words | 14 x 14 | Across, down and diagonal | 2nd to 4th grade |
| Hard | 30 words | 18 x 18 | All 8 directions, even backwards | 5th grade to adults |
The easy puzzle uses short, familiar words such as pie, leaf, fall and turkey. It is a friendly first word search for beginners.
The medium puzzle adds longer words like pumpkin, cranberry and scarecrow, with some words running on the diagonal.
The hard puzzle is a real challenge, with words like thanksgiving, mayflower and grandparents hiding in all eight directions, even backwards.
What’s Included
- Easy, medium and hard word searches in black and white
- Lowercase versions of the easy and medium puzzles for early readers
- A color version of the easy puzzle
- Answer keys for every puzzle, with each word highlighted in its own color
That is 7 pages in one PDF. The lowercase pages are great for little ones who know their lowercase letters better than capitals.
Ways to Use This Word Search
- Family race: print the same level for everyone and see who finds all the words first.
- Mixed ages: give each child a different level so the whole family can play together.
- Gratitude time: after the search, ask each person to name one word from the puzzle they are thankful for.
- Spelling list: pick five words from the puzzle and practice writing them after the search.
- Dinner table basket: print a stack and let guests pick one while dinner finishes cooking.
Download and Print
Click the link below to open the PDF and print it. There is no email sign up. The pages print on US Letter paper, and A4 works too if you choose “fit to page”.
Tip: print the black and white pages to save colored ink, and let kids use crayons or highlighters to circle the words.
More Thanksgiving Printables
- Printable Thanksgiving activity pages with a word search, mazes and math
- Free printable word search for kids with Thanksgiving, Christmas and December puzzles
More Puzzles for Kids
- Free printable mazes for kids in easy, medium and hard
- Preschool mazes with extra wide paths for little hands
- Free Christmas word search for the next holiday
Answer Key
Each word is highlighted in its own color, so it is easy to check. The easy key also fits the lowercase and color easy pages. Answer keys for the medium and hard puzzles are inside the PDF.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy word hunting!
