Crosswords and word scramblesChristmas
Christmas crossword
A holiday crossword built from a list of 32 Christmas words, such as star, reindeer, mistletoe and gingerbread. It works for classroom parties, family gatherings and quiet December afternoons.
- Type your details or print blank
- Answer key on its own page
- Print or PDF, Letter or A4
- Free, no sign-up
On this page
December classrooms and living rooms both need a calm activity now and then. This page prints a Christmas crossword where the clues are short, friendly descriptions, and a different grid appears each time you press New puzzle.
What prints
The sheet is titled "Christmas Crossword." A direction line follows, saying each number is where an answer begins. The grid shows only answer squares, each starting square carrying a small number. Under it are the Across and Down clue lists, and every clue ends with the letter count in brackets, for instance "2. Santa's tiny helper (3)" or "9. Antlered animal that pulls a sleigh (8)".
With the word bank on, an alphabetical list of the answers is printed above the clues. The second page is the key, with the letters filled in. A note appears there if any word was too hard to fit into the grid.
The settings
- Title (optional): a custom heading such as a classroom name, 40 characters at most.
- Theme: set to Christmas on this page. You can change it to any of 30 themes.
- Number of words: pick 6 to 20 answers (it begins at 12).
- Word length: "Any length" or "Short words (easier)". The short setting keeps answers like STAR, SNOW, ELF, GIFT, BELL, TREE, SANTA, SLED, CAROL, HOLLY, ANGEL and CANE.
- Word bank: toggle, off by default.
What is in the word list
The list leans on familiar objects and traditions: decorations (ornament, tinsel, wreath, candle), characters (Santa, elf, angel, snowman), food (cookies, gingerbread), places (chimney, fireplace, North Pole) and a few longer words (nutcracker, poinsettia, mistletoe). A nativity word, manger, is included as well. Longer words make the grid more interesting but slow younger students, so choose the length setting to match your group.
Worked example: a classroom party station
Ms. Okafor has a December party with four stations. At the quiet station she puts out a Christmas crossword set to 10 words, short words only, with the bank on. She prints twelve copies, and because each press of New puzzle gives a new layout, she prints in batches of three so neighboring students do not see the same grid.
Students take turns reading clues aloud. A first grader reads "Shiny topper for a tree (4)" and a partner points to STAR in the bank. Fast finishers move on to the Christmas word scramble or the Christmas word search. Ms. Okafor keeps one key page to check the finished grids.
At home
Print a copy for each person and see who finishes first, or work on one together with a pencil. Grandparents often enjoy the any-length setting with 16 words. If your family celebrates other holidays, change the theme to Winter or Food for a similar puzzle. The IES practice guide on early reading notes that practicing spelling and meaning together helps young readers, and a crossword does both in a playful way.