Crossword maker for kids
Make an easy crossword for kids: short words, simple clues, big squares and an optional word bank. Type your words and print it with an answer key — free.
My First Crossword
NameDate
Across
- 2 You drink from it (3)
- 4 Big yellow ride to school (3)
- 5 Bright and yellow in the sky (3)
- 6 You wear it on your head (3)
- 7 Farm animal with a beard (4)
- 8 Color of a fire truck (3)
Down
- 1 It swims in water (4)
- 2 Pet that says meow (3)
- 3 Pink farm animal (3)
- 4 You sleep in it (3)
- 5 It twinkles at night (4)
- 9 Pet that barks (3)
- TCAPet that says meow
- DGOPet that barks
- USNBright and yellow in the sky
- HTAYou wear it on your head
- BSUBig yellow ride to school
- GPIPink farm animal
- UPCYou drink from it
- EDBYou sleep in it
- DREColor of a fire truck
- HFSIIt swims in water
- OATGFarm animal with a beard
- TSRAIt twinkles at night
Word bank
- BED
- BUS
- CAT
- CUP
- DOG
- FISH
- GOAT
- HAT
- PIG
- RED
- STAR
- SUN
My First Crossword — Answer key
Across
- 2 You drink from it (3) CUP
- 4 Big yellow ride to school (3) BUS
- 5 Bright and yellow in the sky (3) SUN
- 6 You wear it on your head (3) HAT
- 7 Farm animal with a beard (4) GOAT
- 8 Color of a fire truck (3) RED
Down
- 1 It swims in water (4) FISH
- 2 Pet that says meow (3) CAT
- 3 Pink farm animal (3) PIG
- 4 You sleep in it (3) BED
- 5 It twinkles at night (4) STAR
- 9 Pet that barks (3) DOG
- TCACATPet that says meow
- DGODOGPet that barks
- USNSUNBright and yellow in the sky
- HTAHATYou wear it on your head
- BSUBUSBig yellow ride to school
- GPIPIGPink farm animal
- UPCCUPYou drink from it
- EDBBEDYou sleep in it
- DREREDColor of a fire truck
- HFSIFISHIt swims in water
- OATGGOATFarm animal with a beard
- TSRASTARIt twinkles at night
More options: word bank, hints, layout
12 × 8 grid · 12 words
Tips for a great crossword maker for kids
Children solve a crossword differently from adults: they read the clue, guess a word they know and then check whether it fits the boxes. Short answers, one-line clues and a word bank turn that into a reading exercise rather than a guessing game, so this page starts with the word bank switched on.
Aim for 8 to 12 words of three to six letters for ages 5 to 7, and up to 15 words for ages 8 to 10. Write clues as complete, simple sentences ("It twinkles at night") rather than definitions, and keep letter counts visible — they help children check their spelling.
If a short word refuses to connect, it usually has no letters in common with the rest of the list. Add a word that shares letters with it, or click New layout to try another arrangement. Play online on a tablet works well for children who find writing in small squares hard.
Recommended settings
- Word bank on for ages 5–7
- 8–12 short words
- Clues as simple sentences
- Play online on a tablet
How to make a crossword puzzle
- Type your words and clues. Enter a title, then one answer per line followed by a dash and its clue, like "Whale - Largest animal on Earth". Up to 40 words.
- Let the maker build the grid. Every word is connected to the others, the squares are numbered and the Across and Down clue lists are written for you. Click New layout for another arrangement.
- Choose the options. Add a word bank, show or hide letter counts, or switch to Word scramble mode to turn the same list into an unscramble worksheet.
- Print, save or play. Click Print / Save PDF for the puzzle on page 1 and the answer key on page 2, download a PNG, or click Play online and Check answers.
FAQ
How do I use this crossword maker for kids?
Aim for 8 to 12 words of three to six letters for ages 5 to 7, and up to 15 words for ages 8 to 10. Write clues as complete, simple sentences ("It twinkles at night") rather than definitions, and keep letter counts visible — they help children check their spelling.
How many words can a crossword have?
Up to 40 words, each up to 25 letters. Ten to twenty words is the best size for one printed page. The grid grows to fit, up to 25 squares wide and tall.
Why was one of my words left out?
Every word in a crossword must cross another word, so a word needs at least one letter in common with the rest of the list and a free spot where it fits. The maker tells you which words could not be connected; click New layout or add a word that shares letters with them.
How do I print the crossword with the answer key?
Click Print / Save PDF. Page 1 is the puzzle with numbered squares and the Across and Down clues; page 2 is the answer key with every square filled in. Choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog to keep a file.
Can students solve the crossword online?
Yes. Click Play online to type into the grid, then Check to mark wrong letters in red. Copy link creates a web address that contains the whole puzzle, so students open exactly the same crossword.