Holiday Puzzle Printables: Free Word Search & Crossword for Every Season

Why Holiday-Themed Puzzles Engage Everyone

Themed puzzles tap into the excitement and anticipation that holidays naturally create. When students see a Christmas word search or a Halloween crossword, the familiar context makes the activity feel special—not just another worksheet.

Holiday puzzles are perfect for:

• Classroom activities: Fill those pre-holiday class periods with meaningful engagement
• Party games: Keep kids entertained at celebrations
• Family time: Screen-free activities everyone can enjoy together
• Restaurant wait times: Keep children occupied while waiting for food
• Travel activities: Perfect for long car rides and flights

Spring Holidays

Valentine's Day Puzzles

Celebrate love and friendship with heart-themed activities:

Word Search vocabulary:

LOVE, HEART, CUPID, ROSES, CANDY, FRIEND, VALENTINE, CHOCOLATE, FEBRUARY, ARROW, HUGS, KISSES, CARDS, ROMANTIC, SWEET

Crossword clue ideas:

• "Flying baby with arrows" → CUPID
• "February 14th holiday" → VALENTINES
• "Popular Valentine flower" → ROSE
• "Heart-shaped candy with messages" → SWEETHEARTS

Bonus: Create a heart-shaped jigsaw puzzle from a class photo!

Easter Puzzles

Spring themes for egg hunts and celebrations:

Word Search vocabulary:

BUNNY, EGGS, BASKET, SPRING, CHICK, FLOWERS, HUNT, JELLY, BEANS, CHOCOLATE, PARADE, BONNET, GRASS, LILY, PASTEL

Crossword clue ideas:

• "Animal that delivers Easter eggs" → BUNNY
• "Season when Easter occurs" → SPRING
• "Container for collecting eggs" → BASKET
• "Baby chicken" → CHICK

Summer and Fall Themes

Back to School Puzzles

Start the year with educational fun:

Word Search vocabulary:

TEACHER, PENCIL, BACKPACK, HOMEWORK, FRIENDS, LUNCH, RECESS, BOOKS, MATH, SCIENCE, READING, DESK, CLASSROOM, LEARNING, LIBRARY

Activity idea: Create a word search with classmates' names—great for learning names at the start of the year!

Halloween Puzzles

Spooky vocabulary for October fun:

Word Search vocabulary:

GHOST, WITCH, PUMPKIN, CANDY, COSTUME, SPOOKY, MONSTER, VAMPIRE, SKELETON, HAUNTED, SPIDER, WEB, BAT, TRICK, TREAT

Crossword clue ideas:

• "Orange vegetable you carve" → PUMPKIN
• "Flying mammal associated with Halloween" → BAT
• "What you say at each door" → TRICKORTREAT
• "Spins webs in corners" → SPIDER

Thanksgiving Puzzles

Gratitude and feast-themed activities:

Word Search vocabulary:

TURKEY, GRATEFUL, FAMILY, FEAST, PILGRIM, HARVEST, THANKFUL, NOVEMBER, STUFFING, CRANBERRY, PUMPKIN, PIE, AUTUMN, CORNUCOPIA, BLESSING

Crossword clue ideas:

• "Bird at the center of Thanksgiving dinner" → TURKEY
• "Early American settlers" → PILGRIMS
• "Horn of plenty symbol" → CORNUCOPIA
• "What we give on Thanksgiving" → THANKS

Winter Holidays

Christmas Puzzles

The most popular holiday puzzle theme:

Word Search vocabulary:

SANTA, REINDEER, SNOWFLAKE, PRESENTS, TREE, ORNAMENT, STOCKING, CANDY, CANE, WREATH, BELLS, CAROLING, SLEIGH, ELVES, NORTH, POLE

Crossword clue ideas:

• "Pulls Santa's sleigh" → REINDEER
• "Hung by the chimney with care" → STOCKING
• "Santa's little helpers" → ELVES
• "Red and white striped candy" → CANDYCANE

Photo puzzle idea: Turn a family holiday photo into a custom jigsaw puzzle as a gift!

New Year's Puzzles

Ring in the new year with goal-setting themes:

Word Search vocabulary:

JANUARY, RESOLUTION, COUNTDOWN, MIDNIGHT, PARTY, FIREWORKS, CELEBRATE, GOALS, YEAR, CALENDAR, CONFETTI, CHAMPAGNE, CLOCK, FUTURE, HOPE

Winter General

Non-holiday winter themes for all students:

Word Search vocabulary:

SNOWMAN, BLIZZARD, MITTENS, SCARF, SLED, ICICLE, FROST, HIBERNATE, WINTER, FREEZING, COCOA, FIREPLACE, SWEATER, BOOTS, FLURRY

Cultural and Global Celebrations

Include diverse holidays in your puzzle collection:

Lunar New Year

Sample vocabulary: DRAGON, LANTERN, ZODIAC, FORTUNE, RED, ENVELOPE, FIREWORKS, PARADE, FAMILY, FEAST, TRADITION, LUCKY, PROSPERITY, CELEBRATION

Diwali

Sample vocabulary: LIGHTS, DIYA, RANGOLI, SWEETS, FESTIVAL, LAKSHMI, FIREWORKS, FAMILY, CELEBRATION, CANDLES, COLORS, SPARKLERS, JOY, VICTORY

Hanukkah

Sample vocabulary: MENORAH, DREIDEL, LATKES, GELT, CANDLES, MIRACLE, OIL, TEMPLE, MACCABEES, EIGHT, NIGHTS, HOLIDAY, BLESSINGS, FAMILY

How to Create Your Own Holiday Puzzles

Making custom holiday puzzles is easy:

Step 1: Choose Your Theme

Pick a holiday or season. Consider your audience—classroom, party, or family.

Step 2: Gather Vocabulary

List 10-20 words related to your theme. Mix easy and challenging words for variety.

Step 3: Create the Puzzle

Use our free tools to generate your puzzle in seconds:

• Word Search Maker — Enter words, generate puzzle, download PDF
• Crossword Puzzle Maker — Add words and clues for more challenge
• Jigsaw Puzzle Maker — Turn holiday photos into puzzles

Step 4: Print and Distribute

Download your PDF, print copies, and you're ready for holiday fun!

Tips for Using Holiday Puzzles

• Prepare in advance: Create puzzles before the holiday rush
• Match difficulty to audience: Easier for younger children, harder for teens and adults
• Include answer keys: Our tools automatically generate solutions
• Make extras: Print more than you think you'll need
• Add incentives: Small prizes for first to finish boost engagement
• Extend the activity: Have students write sentences with found words or discuss clue answers

Create Free Holiday Puzzles Now

Don't wait until the last minute—create your holiday puzzles today:

• Word Search Maker — Quick vocabulary puzzles for any holiday
• Crossword Puzzle Maker — Trivia and vocabulary challenges
• Jigsaw Puzzle Maker — Photo puzzles for memorable gifts

All tools are completely free, require no registration, and include answer keys. Perfect for teachers, parents, and event planners!

For more gift ideas, check out our Custom Photo Puzzle Gift Guide or explore 10 Ways to Use Printable Puzzles in the Classroom.