Crosswords for children

Kids crosswords with simple clues and big squares.

Four themed crosswords — animals, school, food, and seasons and nature — written in plain words that young readers know. Each one prints on A4 with a matching answer sheet.

Who they suit

Made for young readers

Every clue describes the answer the way a child might: what it looks like, what it does or where you find it. Answers are common words of three to eight letters, and each puzzle sticks to one theme so children can guess from the topic.

Tips for grown-ups: read the clues together first and let your child choose where to start. Encourage them to count the squares before writing, and to use letters from crossing words. Spelling mistakes show up quickly because the crossing word will not fit — a gentle way to practise spelling without a test.

Printable puzzles

Kids crosswords to print

Each puzzle has its own solution. It stays hidden until you choose Show solution, and Print solution prints it on a separate 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.

Across

  1. 4It swings through trees and loves bananas (6)
  2. 5It has long ears and hops about (6)
  3. 7A very big grey animal with a long trunk (8)
  4. 9A green animal that jumps and says ribbit (4)

Down

  1. 1A big cat with a shaggy mane that roars (4)
  2. 2A tall animal with a very long neck (7)
  3. 3A black and white bird that swims but cannot fly (7)
  4. 6It looks like a horse with black and white stripes (5)
  5. 8A big orange cat with black stripes (5)
paperkindprintables.com · kids-animals

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · AnimalsSolution

Animal crossword — solution

Completed grid with every answer.

Across

  1. 4It swings through trees and loves bananas (6) MONKEY
  2. 5It has long ears and hops about (6) RABBIT
  3. 7A very big grey animal with a long trunk (8) ELEPHANT
  4. 9A green animal that jumps and says ribbit (4) FROG

Down

  1. 1A big cat with a shaggy mane that roars (4) LION
  2. 2A tall animal with a very long neck (7) GIRAFFE
  3. 3A black and white bird that swims but cannot fly (7) PENGUIN
  4. 6It looks like a horse with black and white stripes (5) ZEBRA
  5. 8A big orange cat with black stripes (5) TIGER
paperkindprintables.com · kids-animals

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · School

At school crossword

NameDate

Read each clue and write one letter in each square. The number in brackets shows how many letters the answer has.

Across

  1. 3The grown-up who helps your class learn (7)
  2. 5You carry your things to school in it (3)
  3. 6Colourful liquid you use with a brush (5)
  4. 7A table where you sit and work (4)

Down

  1. 1The meal you eat in the middle of the day (5)
  2. 2You write and draw with it, and can rub it out (6)
  3. 4Use it to draw straight lines (5)
  4. 5It has pages you can read (4)
paperkindprintables.com · kids-school

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · SchoolSolution

At school crossword — solution

Completed grid with every answer.

Across

  1. 3The grown-up who helps your class learn (7) TEACHER
  2. 5You carry your things to school in it (3) BAG
  3. 6Colourful liquid you use with a brush (5) PAINT
  4. 7A table where you sit and work (4) DESK

Down

  1. 1The meal you eat in the middle of the day (5) LUNCH
  2. 2You write and draw with it, and can rub it out (6) PENCIL
  3. 4Use it to draw straight lines (5) RULER
  4. 5It has pages you can read (4) BOOK
paperkindprintables.com · kids-school

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · Food

Food crossword

NameDate

Read each clue and write one letter in each square. The number in brackets shows how many letters the answer has.

Across

  1. 3Tiny white grains you cook and eat, often with curry (4)
  2. 5A long yellow fruit that you peel (6)
  3. 8Bread that has been made hot and crunchy (5)
  4. 9Hens lay this (3)

Down

  1. 1You make sandwiches with slices of this (5)
  2. 2Small round green vegetables that come in a pod (4)
  3. 4An orange vegetable that rabbits like (6)
  4. 6A round red or green fruit that crunches (5)
  5. 7You might eat these on toast (5)
paperkindprintables.com · kids-food

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · FoodSolution

Food crossword — solution

Completed grid with every answer.

Across

  1. 3Tiny white grains you cook and eat, often with curry (4) RICE
  2. 5A long yellow fruit that you peel (6) BANANA
  3. 8Bread that has been made hot and crunchy (5) TOAST
  4. 9Hens lay this (3) EGG

Down

  1. 1You make sandwiches with slices of this (5) BREAD
  2. 2Small round green vegetables that come in a pod (4) PEAS
  3. 4An orange vegetable that rabbits like (6) CARROT
  4. 6A round red or green fruit that crunches (5) APPLE
  5. 7You might eat these on toast (5) BEANS
paperkindprintables.com · kids-food

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · Seasons & nature

Seasons and nature crossword

NameDate

Read each clue and write one letter in each square. The number in brackets shows how many letters the answer has.

Across

  1. 1Cold white flakes that fall in winter (4)
  2. 4The bright star that lights up the day (3)
  3. 5The season when flowers start to grow (6)
  4. 7A tall plant with a trunk and branches (4)
  5. 8Colourful arch in the sky after rain (7)
  6. 9The warmest season, with long sunny days (6)

Down

  1. 2The coldest season of the year (6)
  2. 3The season when leaves fall from trees (6)
  3. 6The pretty, colourful part of a plant (6)
paperkindprintables.com · kids-seasons

PaperKind puzzles · Kids crossword · Seasons & natureSolution

Seasons and nature crossword — solution

Completed grid with every answer.

Across

  1. 1Cold white flakes that fall in winter (4) SNOW
  2. 4The bright star that lights up the day (3) SUN
  3. 5The season when flowers start to grow (6) SPRING
  4. 7A tall plant with a trunk and branches (4) TREE
  5. 8Colourful arch in the sky after rain (7) RAINBOW
  6. 9The warmest season, with long sunny days (6) SUMMER

Down

  1. 2The coldest season of the year (6) WINTER
  2. 3The season when leaves fall from trees (6) AUTUMN
  3. 6The pretty, colourful part of a plant (6) FLOWER
paperkindprintables.com · kids-seasons

Related

Keep going

Move on to the adult crosswords together when these feel easy. For more word practice, see the spelling and phonics worksheets. For a change of pace, try spot the difference or kids Sudoku.

Questions

Frequently asked questions