Themed word puzzles for children and general-knowledge crosswords for adults. Print one on A4, fill it in with a pencil, then check it against its own solution sheet.
Each numbered square starts at least one answer. Across answers run left to right; down answers run top to bottom. Where two answers cross, they share a letter — so every word you get right gives you a head start on another.
Start with the answers you are sure of. Read all the clues first and fill in the easy ones, even if they are scattered around the grid.
Count the letters. The number in brackets must match the squares. If your idea is too long or short, it is not the answer.
Use crossing letters. A single letter from a crossing answer often makes a hard clue click.
Write lightly. Pencil lets you rub out a guess that does not fit its crossings.
Check at the end. Compare with the solution sheet, which lists every answer beside its clue.
Printable examples
Try one now
Solutions stay hidden until you choose Show solution, and each prints on its own page.
PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · Animals
Animal crossword
NameDate
Read each clue and write one letter in each square. The number in brackets shows how many letters the answer has.
123456789
Across
4It swings through trees and loves bananas (6)
5It has long ears and hops about (6)
7A very big grey animal with a long trunk (8)
9A green animal that jumps and says ribbit (4)
Down
1A big cat with a shaggy mane that roars (4)
2A tall animal with a very long neck (7)
3A black and white bird that swims but cannot fly (7)
6It looks like a horse with black and white stripes (5)
For children, crosswords pair well with the spelling and vocabulary worksheets, which also come with answers. For a picture puzzle, try spot the difference; for logic, try Sudoku.
We have not added a crossword generator. Building good crosswords needs carefully written clues, so each puzzle here is hand-written and checked so that every answer fits its squares exactly.