Grades 1–2
Ocean Animals Word Search
A 10 by 10 word search with 10 ocean animals that run only across and down, just right for new readers.
Classroom activity · Word search puzzles
Safari Animals Word Search
Long animal names like hippopotamus and wildebeest hidden in all eight directions of a 15 by 15 grid.
- Grade level
- Grades 4–5
- Time
- About 25 minutes
- Topic
- Word search puzzles
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Word recognition, Spelling, Visual scanning, Topic vocabulary
What kids do
“Find the 14 safari animals. Words go in all 8 directions: across, down, up, backwards and every diagonal.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Find these 14 words · Words go in all 8 directions, even backwards and up.
Words on this sheet
baboonbuffalocheetahgazellegiraffehyenaleopardmeerkatwarthogzebra
Teacher tip
Say the long animal names together before kids search.
How to use it
- Have kids cross off each word on the list as they find it.
- Give a highlighter so found words stand out.
- Let kids work with a partner so they talk through their thinking.
Watch for
Kids who struggle to track rows. Let them use a ruler or a finger to guide their eyes.
Talk about it
- Did you find words going a direction you did not expect?
- What would you change to make it harder?
Take it further
Use the word list for a quick spelling or writing activity.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More word search puzzles
Grades 1–2
Classroom Supplies Word Search
Twelve school supply words hidden across and down in an 11 by 11 grid. A good first-week-of-school puzzle.
Grades 2–3
Garden Bugs Word Search
Twelve garden bug words in a 12 by 12 grid. They run across, down and diagonally, but never backwards.
Grades 3–4
Sports and Games Word Search
Fourteen sports in a 13 by 13 grid. Some words run backwards, so it is a real challenge for 3rd and 4th grade.
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