Free word search maker and printables

Summer Word Searches

Summer, beach and spring words hidden in a grid, to print for camp, a trip or class.

This free summer word search maker builds a summer word search puzzle in your web browser. You choose a topic, grid size and difficulty, and it draws a grid with a list of hidden words to find. Summer is the default topic with 50 words, and Beach and Spring are listed first as well, so the same page also makes a beach word search or a spring word search.

There is no sign-up and no download. You can play the puzzle on screen, or print a set of puzzles with answer keys for a classroom, a family game or a camp activity. Nothing you create is uploaded anywhere.

  1. Open the page. The Summer topic (50 words) loads at 15×15 on Medium. To switch, choose Beach or Spring from the topic list.
  2. Set Grid size to 8×8, 10×10, 12×12, 15×15, 18×18, 20×20, 25×25 or 30×30. The tool suggests a number of words that suits the size.
  3. Adjust Number of words between 4 and 60 if you want more or fewer words.
  4. Pick a Difficulty level: Easy, Medium, Hard or Expert. Read the hint line under the menu to see what each level changes.
  5. To use your own words, choose My own words and type them (they replace the topic’s list).
  6. Play by clicking or tapping the first letter of a word, then its last letter. Use Hint if you are stuck, or Show answers to outline every word. When you finish, choose Next puzzle for a new grid with the same settings.
  7. To print, open the Print panel, set Copies (1 to 20), Paper size (Letter or A4) and Answer keys (four or one per page), then press Print puzzles + answer keys.

With a mouse you can also drag across a word. Press Copy link to save an address that holds all your settings and the exact puzzle. The game is saved in your browser, so reloading the page continues where you left off.

The tool picks the words at random from the topic you choose, as many as fit the grid (18 on the default 15×15 grid), so every new puzzle mixes them differently. If a topic has fewer words that fit, the tool uses all that fit and tells you so. The three lists on this page:

Summer (50 words): Sunshine, Vacation, Swimming, Sunscreen, Lemonade, Ice cream, Popsicle, Barbecue, Picnic, Camping, Fireworks, Sandals, Sunglasses, Flip flops, Hammock, Watermelon, Seashell, Sandcastle, Pool, Lake, Surfing, Fishing, Hiking, Campfire, Fireflies, Heat wave, Sunburn, Sunset, Beach, Boating, Kayak, Canoe, Backyard, Garden, Corn on the cob, Shorts, Tank top, Swimsuit, Towel, Umbrella, Daylight, Solstice, Summer camp, Ocean, Waves, Splash, Sprinkler, Ice cubes, Humid, Road trip.

Beach (50 words): Ocean, Sand, Waves, Seashell, Sandcastle, Sunscreen, Towel, Umbrella, Surfboard, Lifeguard, Seagull, Starfish, Crab, Dolphin, Shore, Tide, Dune, Pier, Boardwalk, Bucket, Shovel, Flip flops, Sunglasses, Swimsuit, Cooler, Picnic, Volleyball, Snorkel, Kayak, Sailboat, Lighthouse, Coconut, Palm tree, Hammock, Sunset, Seaweed, Jellyfish, Pebbles, Driftwood, Horizon, Surfing, Swimming, Coral, Lagoon, Island, Tropical, Paradise, Beach ball, Sandals, Bikini.

Spring (50 words): Blossom, Daffodil, Tulip, Crocus, Robin, Rainbow, Raindrop, Puddle, Umbrella, Butterfly, Caterpillar, Seedling, Sprout, Garden, Planting, Rebirth, Equinox, Lamb, Chick, Bunny, Meadow, Showers, Warm, Breeze, Kite, Bud, Green, Fresh, Mud, Bees, Pollen, Lilac, Violet, Hyacinth, Cherry blossom, Nest, Spring cleaning, Birdsong, Rain boots, Greenhouse, Renewal, Thaw, Lawn, Hatching, Sunshine, Petal, Daisy, Dandelion, Iris, Magnolia.

Two-word entries are hidden without the space: Tank top is TANKTOP in the grid. In the example puzzle (15×15, Medium), SANDCASTLE starts in row 14, column 4 and runs diagonally up to the right, and TANKTOP starts in row 2, column 6 and runs left to right.

Can I print summer word searches for a road trip or summer camp?

Yes. Set Copies from 1 to 20. Every copy has a different arrangement of letters, and because each list has 50 words, each copy also uses a different set of words. Copy 1 is the puzzle you see on screen. Print the answer keys four per page to save paper, or one per page for larger keys. Each puzzle prints on its own page with a title, the grid size and level, and Name and Date lines.

Easy places words left to right and top to bottom only, and words never cross, which makes an easy summer word search for young children. Medium adds diagonals that run down-right and up-right; words still never run backwards, but they may cross where their letters match. Hard uses all eight directions, including backwards and upward. Expert also tries crossings first and builds its filler letters from the hidden words, so the whole grid looks alike.

To solve faster, start with words that have an unusual letter (Q, X, Z, J, K) or a double letter (OO, LL, SS), find the longest words first and cross each one off as you go.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Choose Beach in the topic list. It has 50 words, and the grid size, difficulty and print options work the same way as they do for Summer.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free, with no sign-up and no download. The tool runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent to a server.

Can I use my own words?

Yes. Choose My own words and type in the words you want to hide. Your words stay in your browser and are not uploaded.

Which paper sizes can I print on?

You can choose Letter (8.5 × 11 in) or A4 in the Paper size setting. Each puzzle prints on its own page with a Name and Date line.

How do I save the puzzles as a PDF?

Press one of the print buttons, then choose Save as PDF in the print window. You get the puzzles, the answer keys, or both, depending on which button you pressed.

What do Hint and Show answers do?

Hint makes the first letter of an unfound word flash. Show answers outlines every word in the grid, so use it when you want to check your work or move on.

Can I share the exact same puzzle with my class?

Yes. Press Copy link to get an address that holds all your settings and the puzzle’s seed. Anyone who opens the link gets the same puzzle again.

Can I play on a phone or tablet?

Yes. You tap the first letter of a word, then its last letter. A mouse can also drag across the letters.