Dolch & Fry Pre-Loaded
Skip hunting for word lists. The generator starts with 25 core Dolch sight words, and our on-page reference covers Dolch 220 plus the Fry First 100 for every grade band.
FreeDolch & Fry lists built inPDF · PNG · Answer key · No signup
Free Sight Word Search Maker
Pre-loaded Dolch and Fry sight word lists for kindergarten through 3rd grade. Generate printable sight word puzzles in seconds with built-in word banks.
Create Your Sight Word Search
Pre-set to 10×10 grid with 25 Dolch sight words loaded for kindergarten readers
Configuration
Word SearchMedium adds diagonals, Hard adds backwards
Why Choose Our Sight Word Search Generator
Beginner-Friendly Layout
Words run horizontally and vertically only on a 10×10 grid — no diagonals, no backward hiding. Young readers feel successful instead of overwhelmed.
Classroom-Ready PDF
Download a clean, print-optimized PDF with a separate answer key. Perfect for morning work, reading center rotations, or homework packets.
How to Create a Sight Word Search in 4 Steps
From the default Dolch set to a printed puzzle in under two minutes
Pick a Grade Level
Start with the pre-loaded kindergarten Dolch set, or paste the 1st / 2nd / 3rd grade list from the reference below
Adjust the Word List
Keep the default 25 words, or swap in words your students are currently practicing this week
Generate Puzzle
Click generate to build a 10×10 sight word search with words running left-to-right and top-to-bottom only
Print & Use
Download the PDF with answer key attached — ready for reading centers, homework, or tutoring
Who Uses Sight Word Search Puzzles?
Once your students outgrow sight words, the word search maker for kids handles longer themed lists for any subject.
Kindergarten Reading Practice
Run a 5-minute daily sight word recognition drill. The pre-loaded Dolch starter list covers the most essential K words, and the simple grid keeps beginners focused.
1st Grade Fluency Building
Reinforce the sight words from this week's reading unit. Paste in your Monday word list and print a fresh puzzle for Friday review.
ESL Vocabulary Building
High-frequency word drill for English learners of any age. Sight words make up roughly half of everyday reading, so mastering them unlocks fluency quickly.
Tutoring Sessions
Engaging reinforcement between lessons. Reading tutors print a quick puzzle to close each session while parents appreciate the visible practice work.
Reading Interventions
An Orton-Gillingham and Wilson program add-on. Interventionists use sight word searches to give struggling readers a low-pressure wins-only activity.
Homework Packets
Parents love easy, purposeful weekly activities. Add a sight word search to Friday folders — no instructions required, and the answer key is built in.
Dolch and Fry Sight Word List Reference
Dolch 220 (by grade)
Pre-K (40): a, and, away, big, blue, can, come, down, find, for, funny, go, help, here, I, in, is, it, jump, little, look, make, me, my, not, one, play, red, run, said, see, the, three, to, two, up, we, where, yellow, you
Kindergarten (52): all, am, are, at, ate, be, black, brown, but, came, did, do, eat, four, get, good, have, he, into, like, must, new, no, now, on, our, out, please, pretty, ran, ride, saw, say, she, so, soon, that, there, they, this, too, under, want, was, well, went, what, white, who, will, with, yes
Fry First 100 Words
the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it, he, was, for, on, are, as, with, his, they, I, at, be, this, have, from, or, one, had, by, words, but, not, what, all, were, we, when, your, can, said, there, use, an, each, which, she, do, how, their, if, will, up, other, about, out, many, then, them, these, so, some, her, would, make, like, him, into, time, has, look, two, more, write, go, see, number, no, way, could, people, my, than, first, water, been, called, who, am, its, now, find, long, down, day, did, get, come, made, may, part
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about sight word search puzzles
The Dolch word list contains 220 of the most frequently used English words in children’s books. Compiled by Edward Dolch in 1936, it’s the standard sight word list used in most kindergarten through 3rd grade reading programs.
Fry’s list is a more modern alternative with 1000 words grouped by frequency. The first 100 Fry words account for about 50% of all printed English. Both lists work well — most schools use one or the other.
The default word list fits pre-K through 1st grade. For 2nd-3rd grade, swap in the Dolch 2nd/3rd grade sets (see reference list below) or Fry 100-300. You can also use this for ESL learners of any age starting English.
Yes — sight word practice is one of the most effective tools for new English learners. The short, high-frequency words build reading fluency fast. Disable diagonal and backward placement (our default) to keep the puzzle beginner-friendly.
15-20 words for kindergarten, 20-25 for first grade, up to 30 for second grade. Too many words crowd the grid and frustrate young readers. A 10×10 grid with 20 words is the sweet spot.
Yes. Every download includes a separate answer key PDF with all sight words highlighted. Perfect for teachers, reading coaches, and parents.
Absolutely. Paste any custom word list into the word box. Great for reinforcing words your student missed, or for building a vocabulary list tied to a specific reading program like Wilson, Fundations, or Orton-Gillingham.
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