Autumn Word Search
word search · ages 5-8 · easy
Editorial team · Published July 11, 2026
Ready for an autumn challenge? This free printable word search features an 11x11 letter grid packed with nine hidden autumn-themed words: ACORN, CRISP, CIDER, FALL, LEAF, PUMPKIN, SPICE, TURKEY, and WOODS. You'll find the word list printed clearly right below the puzzle, making it easy to check off each one as you find it. These words run across, down, and on the downward diagonal, with a few even written backwards, offering a satisfying variety of ways to hunt them down.
For the best success with this puzzle, we recommend starting with the first letter of each word on your list. Scan the grid for that letter, and once you find it, check the surrounding letters to see if they spell out the rest of your word. Since words can go in different directions and even backwards, always double-check all possibilities around that starting letter before moving on to your next target.
This word search is fantastic for building visual scanning skills and reinforcing autumn vocabulary. To extend its use, laminate the printed page and have kids use a dry-erase marker. They can then wipe it clean and solve it again, or pass it to a friend for another round of autumn fun.
Download & print — it's free
US Letter (8.5×11"). Print at home, no sign-up needed.
Tip: set your printer to “Fit to page” for best results.
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Frequently asked questions
Can we play it as a group activity?
Yes — print a copy per child and race, or share one page and take turns finding a word each. In a classroom it works well as an early-finisher task or a calm start-of-day settle-in activity.
Which directions can the hidden words go?
Words hide across, down and along the downward diagonal — and a few sneaky ones run backwards. That's the kid-solvable set: tricky enough to be fun, no upward diagonals to hunt. Have your child cross each word off the list as they circle it so they always know what's left.
Is this too babyish for my 8-year-old?
Try it before assuming — kids this age still love a good puzzle or coloring session, especially with "grown-up" tools like gel pens or fine-tip markers. Adding a self-set challenge (a timer, a color pattern, beating a sibling's time) refreshes any page.
Can I share this printable with other parents or teachers?
Please do — just share it as a link to this page rather than forwarding the PDF file. That way the person you share it with always gets the current version, and it helps other families find the collection.