Back to School Word Search

Q: Can I print this word search?

Yes. Press Print (or your browser’s print shortcut) to get a blank, printable copy of the current grid with a word list to tick off. Press New puzzle first for a fresh one.

A first-week-of-school warm-up for the whole class. Search for backpacks, binders, lockers and lunchboxes, then print a copy for the opening-day folder or the kitchen table.

How to play Back to School Word Search

Every word in the list is hidden in the letter grid in a straight line.
Drag across a word with your finger or mouse to select it. The selection snaps to the nearest straight line: across, down or diagonal.
Prefer tapping? Tap the first letter, then tap the last letter to select everything in between.
Found words stay highlighted on the grid and are crossed off the list. Find them all to finish the puzzle.
Easy (10×10) hides words left-to-right and top-to-bottom only. Medium (12×12) adds diagonals. Hard (14×14) uses all eight directions, including backwards. Expert (18×18) and Extreme (22×22) pack in more words on a bigger grid for a real challenge.

Controls

Drag across letters, or tap the first and last letter of a word.
Hint flashes the first letter of a word you have not found yet.
New puzzle builds a fresh grid; your current puzzle is saved automatically.
Print turns the current grid into a clean printable word search sheet with the word list.

Tips

BACKPACK, CALCULATOR and HIGHLIGHTER are the longest words in the list.
Easy mode keeps every word in a straight line across or down, which suits new readers.

Words in this back to school word search

Each puzzle picks a random selection from these 40 words: Backpack, Pencil, Notebook, Teacher, Classroom, Locker, Eraser, Binder, Crayons, Ruler, Scissors, Glue, Marker, Folder, Desk, Recess, Lunchbox, Homework, Library, Student, Lesson, Bell, Schedule, Friends, Cafeteria, Principal, Textbook, Paper, Highlighter, Calculator, Stapler, Uniform, Supplies, Sharpener, Chalkboard, Playground, Bus, Learn, Reading, Alphabet.

Print this back to school word search

Want paper instead? Open the printable back to school word search for a one-page sheet with a word list and answer key, or try a bigger grid on hard word search. Browse every topic on word search puzzles.

Seasonal word searches

Spring Word Search · Summer Word Search · Fall Word Search · Winter Word Search · September Word Search

FAQ

Can a teacher use this on the first day of school?

Yes. Print the sheet from the printable back to school word search page, with an answer key if you want one.

Can words overlap?

Yes. Two words can share a letter where they cross, which is a handy clue when you are stuck.

Can I print this word search?

Yes. Press Print (or your browser’s print shortcut) to get a blank, printable copy of the current grid with a word list to tick off. Press New puzzle first for a fresh one.

Is my puzzle saved?

Yes. Your grid, found words and time are saved in this browser, so you can close the page and pick up where you left off.