🎃 Halloween word search for the classroom

How to use this Halloween word search

This list keeps Halloween fun rather than frightening, so it suits a classroom party, an after-school club or a family night. Longer entries such as haunted house, trick or treat and jack-o'-lantern run together in the grid (HAUNTEDHOUSE, TRICKORTREAT, JACKOLANTERN), which makes them good hunting for older kids. For a shorter, easier puzzle for little ones, delete those and keep words like bat, owl, candy and ghost.

1. Trim or extend the word list. Fewer, shorter words make a gentler puzzle for kindergarten.
2. Choose a grid size. The 16×16 default fits every word with room to hide them; 13×13 works once you trim the long ones.
3. Print the puzzle and the answer key, or save both as a PDF.

Teacher tips

• Print a different grid for each table with New layout, so finished groups cannot pass the answers along.
• Use the puzzle as a calm activity after the costume parade, when energy is high.
• Ask early finishers to sort the words into things you can eat, wear or see at night.
• For the party, Halloween bingo can use the same words.