Free Printable Thanksgiving Word Search For Kids

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Are you looking for the perfect free printable Thanksgiving word search for kids? We created this bundle of printable word search puzzles with 4 levels of difficulty, so you can quickly print out the best fit for your child or student’s reading level.

 
Our word search printable PDF file includes 4 puzzle levels, roughly broken down into these age groups: Ages 4-5, 6-7, 8-11, and 12+.

Since children develop reading skills at different ages, these age groups are only an approximate guideline of four levels of word difficulty. The puzzles progress from simple spelling words for early readers in the easiest word search to more complex words that are arranged in all directions in the most advanced word search included in the set.

>>> Click Here to Download the Thanksgiving Word Search Bundle <<<

We designed these holiday themed puzzles with a festive collection of words commonly used at Thanksgiving.

Please note that for this bundle of printables, the words have been selected based on theme and grouped by approximate age reading level.

This Free Printable Thanksgiving Word Search For Kids contains:

• Four different colorful designs,
• Black and white versions with pictures for coloring,
• Answer keys for each design.

 

1st Puzzle – Super Easy Word Search for Ages 4 to 5

In this starter level word search puzzle, young children can search and find 6 small words in a 5 by 5 letter grid.

The search words are all made up of 3 or 4 letter spelling words. Children around the ages of 4 and 5 years old should enjoy this cute free printable Thanksgiving word search puzzle.

The search words in this easiest puzzle are: eat, fall, hat, hug, love, and pie. Most of these reading words are a nice fit for early readers in Kindergarten or first grade.
 

2nd Puzzle – Easy Word Search for Ages 6 to 7

This second level word search will work for children who are reading slightly longer words. This puzzle includes 15 search words in a 10 by 10 letter grid.

The search words in this second puzzle design are up to 6 letters long. Children about 6 or 7 years old will have fun finding these words.

The search words in this second level puzzle are: cook, corn, eat, fall, family, fun, give, happy, joy, leaf, love, pie, share, thanks, and turkey.

These words should work for typical readers in primary grades. But of course always be aware that children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia develop reading skills at different rates.
 

3rd Puzzle – Medium Word Search for Ages 8 to 11

The third level of our free printable Thanksgiving word search still includes 15 words to find in a 10 by 10 letter grid, but the length of the words goes up to 8 letters.

Kids at many different ages will like this medium level difficulty word search, but we’ve categorized it as 8 to 11 years old.

The search words in this second level puzzle include a few of the same words as the earlier puzzle, but also some longer words. In this version, children will find: blessed, fall, family, feast, harvest, holiday, leaves, pie, pumpkin, stuffing, thanks, and turkey.
 

4th Puzzle – Hard Word Search for Ages 12 and up

Finally, the most difficult word search in this bundle includes 20 words to find in a 20 by 20 letter grid.

These Thanksgiving themed search words are more challenging and suitable for stronger readers at any age. We’ve called this age group 12 and up because anyone who likes to relax with a word search puzzle should enjoy this one.

In our most difficult Thanksgiving word search, kids will find longer words and be challenged by having to hunt in all directions, up, down, backwards, forwards and all diagonal directions.
 

We did not write any ages or grades on the printable pages because children are often at different reading levels, and these ages are only rough guidelines.

We recommend you scroll through the PDF to find the most appropriate level for your children or students. Then you can just print out the particular free printable Thanksgiving word search that you want in either color or black & white.

You likely don’t need to print out the answer keys, but we’ve included them for your reference.

 

What are the benefits of doing word search puzzles?

Our kids have always loved doing word searches and so do we. Even as an adult, whenever I see one, I can’t help but start hunting for words.

Word search puzzles can be a fun way for kids to relax while still keeping their brain active and practicing reading vocabulary words.

People of all ages and reading ability can enjoy word searches. But just because a child doesn’t enjoy reading or they have dyslexia, don’t assume they won’t like doing these puzzles. One of my daughters who has dyslexia absolutely loves word searches and often asks me to buy her new puzzle books full of them.

While doing word search puzzles isn’t going to teach a child to read, they can be helpful for getting kids looking really closely at the spelling of words and locating specific letters and parts of words.

Of course, we are not suggesting that word searches and other types of puzzles and games are a substitute for teaching structured literacy.

But as the University of Michigan says, all students, including those with dyslexia, can benefit from games and puzzles that practice spelling in a fun way.

For children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please select the best fit of our free printable Thanksgiving word search for their individual reading level.

Stay Tuned For More…

Since we know many parents and teachers like to give their children and students a variety of word puzzles and other printable educational games, we have created several printable activity bundles over the years. Most of these fun holiday themed printables have been designed for approximate ages or elementary grade levels.

We will be creating even more word searches and crossword puzzles in the coming weeks.

As well, we plan to develop educational resources and printables that are more specific to developmental reading stages in line with new science of reading research and structured literacy.

Be sure to sign up for our email list so you don’t miss any of our upcoming puzzles, games and other educational resources.

 

 

Click Here to Download the Printable Thanksgiving Word Search Bundle…

 

Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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