December Word Search Printable
This December word search is a cozy winter puzzle for kids and grown ups. It is full of snow, scarves and sleds, plus New Year words and holiday traditions, so it fits the whole month and not only Christmas.
I made it in three levels so everyone at home can join in. Hunting for words like snowman, fireworks and countdown is real spelling and reading practice, but it feels like a game. Every puzzle has a color coded answer key.
Perfect for:
- a snow day at home
- winter break and the last week before the holidays
- early finishers in December
- quiet evenings by the fire
- waiting for midnight on New Year’s Eve
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 winter words such as snow, hat, sled and frost. It is a gentle first word search for beginners.
The medium puzzle adds longer words like skating, sweater, fireworks and countdown, with some words on the diagonal.
The hard puzzle is a big challenge, with words like thermometer, resolution and celebration, plus Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and menorah, hiding in all eight directions.
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
- Winter break kit: keep a few printed pages in a folder for slow afternoons.
- Mixed ages: give each child a different level so the whole family can play together.
- New Year talk: after the hard puzzle, ask everyone to share one goal for the new year.
- Spelling list: pick five words from the puzzle and practice writing them after the search.
- Party game: print one copy per guest and see who finishes first.
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 December Printables
- Free printable Christmas word search in three levels
- Christmas word search for adults with two hard puzzles
- Free printable 2027 calendar to plan the new year
- January 2027 calendar with holidays marked
More Puzzles for Kids
- Free printable word search for kids with nine puzzles in three levels
- Free printable mazes for kids in easy, medium and hard
- Printable Christmas activity pages with more puzzles and math
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 winter, and happy word hunting!
