Image: iStock
It’s the weekend and kids need to be kept busy and engaged. While you may want your little champion to pick up the reading habit or work on their vocabulary, poring over books is probably not what they want to do.
So, introduce them to books that challenge and improve their vocabulary. A rather brilliant way of inculcating the reading habit in your kid is to have them solve crossword puzzles. They not only serve as a fun pastime but also aid in learning and cognitive development.
MomJunction has compiled 20 crossword puzzles for kids to play and get glued to. Each crossword puzzle has a grid with several boxes, and each box contains a clue to a word that needs to be filled in.
Fun Crossword Puzzles For Kids
1. Transport
In this crossword, your child will learn the names of different vehicles that are in use on air, land, and water.
You can also discuss with your child the purpose of each vehicle. For example, a ship is used to transport goods and people from one shore to another, balloons are meant for recreational tours up in the air, while more difficult ones like an excavator are a giant machine for digging and moving soil.
Such word games for kids inevitably improve children’s spelling skills.
2. Pets
The picture crossword is associated with pets, their accessories and things related to them. This crossword puzzle requires your kid to look at the images, identify the names and then find them in the puzzle.
It will help your child enhance their association with a picture and its corresponding name and spelling. You can also discuss the role of a leash, pet carrier or tepee.
3. Fruits
This crossword can teach your child the names of various fruits. Hold a discussion about their colors, tastes, nutritional value, and which season’s fruit it is. For example, mangoes are ripe and are available during summers, while bananas grow all around the year; coconut can be eaten as a fruit, and coconut water is also good for health.
4. Pirates
A rough sea, heavy winds, storms, and adventure. Who doesn’t love pirate stories? Here’s a new crossword for your kid. Chances are they will readily be able to name the objects relating to their favorite stories. You can also pick out words and ask your kid to make his/her own pirate story.
5. Planets
The Solar system is fascinating. Introduce the stars and the planets with fun crosswords.
You can discuss where each planet is positioned in relation to the Earth, why there is no life on other planets and what makes Earth habitable.
6. Hospital
This crossword is aimed at teaching children vocabulary related to hospitals. Your kid will get to classify different professions, standard terms and things associated with it. Discuss the role of doctors, nurses, medicines, etc., and their importance in everybody’s life.
7. Pizza
One of the most popular foods for kids is undoubtedly pizza. This crossword will teach them specificities of pizza such as the ingredients used, utensils required and everything else one sees in their favorite pizza joint.
You can discuss how and with what is pizza. See if your kid can recognize the ingredients such as tomatoes, bell pepper, pepperoni, etc.
8. Tableware
Tableware is universally present in all homes. Kids can relate to these everyday items, remember and now spell them.
You can ask your child which item is used for what. For example, a whisk is used to beat eggs, a teapot is for storing prepared tea, and a cloche for keeping food warm.
9. Music
Music is entertainment. Whether your child already plays one or wants to learn, here’s a good music crossword for them to solve. You can discuss the various musical instruments given in the picture and what type of music they play. For example, a guitar and violin produce soft music while xylophones and drums make heavier sounds. You may also play music and have your little one guess which instrument is being played. This is an excellent way of introducing kids to instruments.
Did you know?10. Underwater animals
This crossword aims to teach your children names of various underwater flora and fauna.
You can share stories of seahorses, corals, and turtles. Introduce new concepts like seascape and the difference in life forms that are there on land and in water.
11. Birds
Birds capture children’s imagination. From stories to drawings, birds are there everywhere. But how many species of birds does your little one know? This crossword will teach your kid names of various land and water birds.
12. Halloween
Halloween gets the kids excited about activities like trick-or-treat, costume parties, carving pumpkins, playing tricks, apple bobbing and so much more. Help your child remember the names of their favorite characters and their spellings by solving this crossword.
Did you know?13. Beach
Hitting the beach on Sundays, playing frisbee in the sand or running by the beach is a delight for every child. Now is the opportunity to introduce them to words associated with a beach such as crabs, shells, sand and palm trees.
You may also give some words to your child and ask him or her to make a painting of the beach with these objects or life forms.
14. Colors
Your children must be using crayons, watercolors, and pencils. But do they know the spellings of each color, or can they identify the color?
Through this puzzle, your child will be able to see and recognize the colors and then name them. The pencils in the image represent one color each and are numbered accordingly.
15. Shapes
Shapes give objects their appearance, and all objects we see have a specific form. Discuss with your kids what these shapes signify. For example, coins are circles; an arrow is used to mark directions, a heart to express love, etc. You can also introduce concepts like the number of sides and their names. For example, five conjoined lines make a pentagon while four sides make a square/ rectangle.
16. The post
Post crosswords will teach your child vocabulary related to the post. He or she will get introduced to terms like stamps, envelope, letters, parcels et al. You may discuss what each of them is.
This puzzle can be an excellent way of introducing your child to letter writing. Let them know how a letter is sent from one person to another through the post office.
17. Vegetables
This crossword puzzle aims to educate your children about different vegetables, their names and how they look. Talk to your kid about the importance of veggies and how they are cooked to make delicious and healthy meals. See if your child can identify the names of the veggies they see every day at home.
18. Christmas
Christmas brings joy and presents. With this crossword, teach your child the spellings and vocabulary of everything related to Christmas. Have your child take a look at the pictures and name them.
Point to consider19. Character crossword
This is colorfully sketched for kids. Your child has to identify the names of the objects that are marked by numbers. He or she has to know the names and spellings of the objects and write them down as per the number sequence in the puzzle to finish the crossword.
20. Months
This puzzle teaches your child the 12 months of the year. You can explain the names of the months, the number of days they have and the sequence of the months. This puzzle will also enable your children to remember the spellings confidently with fun practice.
21. Animals crossword puzzle
Dive into the wild world of animal crossword puzzles, where the fun never stops. Imagine helping your child solve clues and discovering adorable and super cool animals along the way. These brain games for kids act as colorful jungle gyms for your children’s brains and make learning new words and getting to know animals a blast.
22. Football crossword
Let your kids get ready for fun with football crossword puzzles. Tell them to solve clues about their favorite sport, learn football terms, and discover team names. To make it even more interesting, ask them to challenge their buddies to a crossword match or help them create their football-themed clues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of solving crossword puzzles for children?
Potential benefits of crossword puzzles for children include enhanced vocabulary, cognitive and problem-solving skills, memory, and teamwork abilities.
2. What are some ways to introduce crossword puzzles to young children?
Start with simple puzzles using age-appropriate themes. Encourage teamwork, turn it into a game, provide clues, and use online resources for free puzzles.
3. Can crossword puzzles be an educational tool for teaching specific subjects?
Yes. Crossword puzzles can be used to help reinforce vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension skills in a fun and engaging way. It can also help teach terms and definitions of various subjects and topics.
4. How can parents or teachers help children who struggle with solving crossword puzzles?
Start with simpler puzzles and focus on building the child’s vocabulary through reading and word games such as Scrabble. Work together to solve puzzles and provide positive feedback to encourage them to keep trying and celebrate their successes.
5. What are the different types of crossword puzzles?
Crossword puzzles come in various types, each offering unique ways to learn and engage. Themed crosswords link vocabulary to enjoyable topics, such as holidays, animals, or sports, making learning relatable and fun for children. Picture crosswords enhance visual learning by combining images with words, helping young learners associate pictures with corresponding terms. Lastly, interactive online crosswords provide a modern twist, featuring digital platforms that offer hints, timers, and animations, encouraging children to solve puzzles dynamically.
6. What types of crossword puzzles are best for different age groups?
Different age groups benefit from various types of crossword puzzles. For younger children (ages 4-6), picture crosswords with simple vocabulary are ideal, helping them associate words with images. Children aged 7-9 enjoy themed crossword puzzles featuring topics like animals and food, which keep them engaged while learning. For older kids (ages 10 and up), crosswords with more complex clues encourage vocabulary growth and critical thinking skills. Teens and adults may enjoy standard crosswords or cryptic puzzles that offer a higher challenge and require lateral thinking.
Crossword puzzles are an effective educational activity for kids that encourage them to utilize their reasoning skills to figure out the answers, which helps them develop intelligence. These fun crossword puzzles for kids can serve as interesting brain teasers. They can be used as a leisure activity at home or for recreation in the classroom to keep children engaged and entertained. Not only children but the rest of the family may also participate together in fun and try their hand at solving crossword puzzles while interacting with one another. So, for your next weekend activity, you now know what to keep your child busy with.
Infographic: Exciting Crossword Puzzles For Children
Crossword puzzles can be a great way to keep the children away from the screen. You can even use different themes of crossword puzzles to teach your children about seasons, animals, festivals, and objects through this activity. Check out the infographic below for some cool crossword puzzles you can print and enjoy solving with your children.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Crossword puzzles are an educational yet fun activity that helps children improve their vocabulary and spelling skills.
- Crossword puzzles also help improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Introduce crossword puzzles on various topics, such as hospitals, Halloween, the beach, and football.
Illustration: Interesting & Easy Crossword Puzzles For Kids Of All Ages
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
References
- 7 surprising ways puzzles are good for your brain.
https://www.goodnet.org/articles/7-surprising-ways-puzzles-are-good-for-your-brain
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Elisabeth Daly
Read full bio of Harshita Makvana
Read full bio of Deepa Thomas
Read full bio of Kavita Kankani
