Christmas Guide Screen-free

Christmas Word Search for Kids: Free Printable Puzzles and Tips

Quick answer: A Christmas word search asks children to find festive words hidden in a grid of letters, reading across, down and sometimes diagonally. Print one out, grab a pencil, and let your child circle words like SANTA, SLEIGH and HOLLY. It supports spelling, letter spotting and focus, and it keeps little ones busy on cold December afternoons.
Best for Ages 5 to 11, KS1 and KS2
Time 10 to 20 minutes
Group size 1 child or a small group
You need Printed sheet and a pencil
Cost Free to print at home

Download the free printable cards

On this page:
Words and ideasHow to use itWays to playGifts and gamesBy ageSkillsFAQ

Christmas word search words and ideas

Here are festive words to hide in your grid, plus playful ways to use them. Mix easy and harder words to match your child.

Easy Christmas words (ages 5 to 7)

  1. SANTA
  2. SNOW
  3. STAR
  4. TREE
  5. GIFT
  6. ELF
  7. BELL
  8. HOLLY
  9. ROBIN
  10. SLEIGH

Trickier words (ages 7 to 11)

  1. REINDEER
  2. STOCKING
  3. CRACKER
  4. MISTLETOE
  5. WREATH
  6. CHIMNEY
  7. ADVENT
  8. SNOWMAN
  9. TINSEL
  10. CAROL

Festive fun words to spot

  1. RUDOLPH
  2. PRESENT
  3. FROSTY
  4. JINGLE
  5. CANDLE
  6. TURKEY
  7. PUDDING
  8. ANGEL
  9. FROST
  10. MERRY

How to do a Christmas word search, step by step

  1. Print the word search and the word list.
  2. Read the words together before you start.
  3. Search across and down first, then diagonals.
  4. Circle each word and tick it off the list.
  5. Count how many you found and spell them aloud.

Ways to use the Christmas word search

  • Quiet December wind down. Pop a sheet on the table after tea for a calm ten minutes before bed. It settles busy minds without a screen.
  • Make it a race. Give two children the same grid and see who finds SANTA first. Keep it light and swap words so nobody feels left behind.
  • Pair it with a board game. Use the word search as a warm up, then move to something together like Snakes and Ladders with Ludo for the whole family.
  • Add a spelling twist. Once a word is found, ask your child to write it out and use it in a sentence. The spelling game builds on this nicely.
  • Travel entertainment. Tuck a few printed sheets into your bag for the journey to see relatives. A pencil and a clipboard keep little hands happy in the car.

Games and gifts for word lovers

If your child enjoys spotting and spelling words, these games and craft sets keep the learning going long after the puzzle is done. All are chosen to suit curious children who like letters, puzzles and quiet focus.

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Kids' Spelling Game - Wooden Letters & Word CardsKids' Spelling Game - Wooden Letters & Word CardsShop nowEarly Years Letters - Kids Alphabet GameEarly Years Letters - Kids Alphabet GameShop nowAlphabet Wooden Blocks - Kids Building BlocksAlphabet Wooden Blocks - Kids Building BlocksShop nowMagnetic Letters & Numbers - Educational Toys for KidsMagnetic Letters & Numbers - Educational Toys for KidsShop nowScavenger Hunt GameScavenger Hunt GameShop nowSnakes and Ladders with Ludo - Family Board GameSnakes and Ladders with Ludo - Family Board GameShop nowFour in a Row - Counting Game for KidsFour in a Row - Counting Game for KidsShop nowCode Breaking Board Game - Logic GamesCode Breaking Board Game - Logic GamesShop nowMini Whiteboard - Educational ToyMini Whiteboard - Educational ToyShop nowAnimal Travel Art Set - Doodle BookAnimal Travel Art Set - Doodle BookShop nowArt Set - Sketch Drawing PencilsArt Set - Sketch Drawing PencilsShop nowWooden Family Games SetWooden Family Games SetShop nowDouble Six Dominoes - Dominoes Set in Tin BoxDouble Six Dominoes - Dominoes Set in Tin BoxShop nowGiant Playing CardsGiant Playing CardsShop now

Christmas word search by age and key stage

Ages 3 to 5, EYFS

At this age try a very simple grid with three or four short words, or just hunt for single letters. Point and name letters together rather than racing.

Ages 5 to 7, KS1

Short festive words like SANTA, SNOW and TREE work well, hidden across and down only. Reading the word list aloud first gives a helpful head start.

Ages 7 to 9, Lower KS2

Add longer words and a few diagonals. Children can time themselves and check their spelling against the list afterwards.

Ages 9 to 11, Upper KS2

Try harder words like MISTLETOE and CHIMNEY, backwards and diagonal placements, and ask them to write a sentence with each word found.

What children learn from a Christmas word search

  • Spelling. Spotting whole words letter by letter helps children recognise and remember common festive spellings.
  • Focus. Scanning a busy grid builds patience and the ability to stick with a task to the end.
  • Visual tracking. Moving the eyes across rows and columns supports the left to right reading needed for books.
  • Vocabulary. Talking about words like ADVENT and WREATH grows the words children know and use.
  • Confidence. Ticking off each found word gives a small win that encourages children to keep trying.

More free Christmas printables

Every one is free to print, and each has its own guide.

Swipe or scroll sideways to see more

Christmas Kindness and Gratitude CardsChristmas Kindness and Gratitude CardsFree printableChristmas Story Starter CardsChristmas Story Starter CardsFree printableChristmas Charades CardsChristmas Charades CardsFree printableChristmas Maths MysteryChristmas Maths MysteryFree printableChristmas Eve Box PlannerChristmas Eve Box PlannerFree printableColour-In Christmas Gift TagsColour-In Christmas Gift TagsFree printableElf Mischief IdeasElf Mischief IdeasFree printableReindeer Food RecipeReindeer Food RecipeFree printableChristmas BingoChristmas BingoFree printableChristmas Scavenger HuntChristmas Scavenger HuntFree printable

Make it a Christmas tradition

A word search costs nothing and takes minutes, which makes it easy to repeat. Try printing a fresh one each weekend in December and keep them in a little folder. Children love seeing how much faster they get as the month goes on. Over time it becomes part of the family build up to Christmas, a quiet moment between the busy ones.

Frequently asked questions

What age is a Christmas word search for?

Most children enjoy them from around 5, when they are starting to read and spell. Younger ones can join in by hunting for single letters with a grown up.

How do I make it easier for a younger child?

Use a smaller grid, fewer words, and hide words only across and down. Reading the word list together first also helps a lot.

How do I make it harder?

Add longer words, place some backwards or diagonally, and set a gentle timer. You can also remove the word list so they search from memory.

Do I need anything special to do one?

Just a printed sheet and a pencil. A highlighter or coloured pencil makes circling found words more fun.

Can we do it as a group?

Yes. Give each child the same grid, or work as a team calling out words as you spot them. Keep it friendly rather than competitive for younger ones.

How does it help with schoolwork?

It supports spelling, letter recognition and reading focus. It is a relaxed way to practise skills without feeling like formal work.

How long should it take?

Around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the grid size and your child's age. Let them stop when they lose interest rather than forcing it.

What else can we play afterwards?

A board or word game keeps the fun going. See our gift ideas above for games that suit word lovers.

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Jaques of London is Britain's oldest toy and games company, founded in 1795. We have spent over 230 years making games families play together, from chess and croquet to wooden toys for the very young.

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Written by the Jaques of London team. Last updated 1 November 2026.