Safari Word Search
word search · ages 5-8 · easy
Editorial team · Published July 6, 2026
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Welcome to our "Safari Word Search" page, designed for adventurers aged 5-8! This printable features a clear 11x11 letter grid where nine safari-themed words are hidden. You'll find LION, ELEPHANT, ZEBRA, GIRAFFE, JUNGLE, SAFARI, ANIMAL, TRACKS, and ROAR. The word list is printed below the grid for easy reference. Words can be found across, down, and on the downward diagonal, some running forwards and some backwards. We've ensured clean, bold outlines for crisp home printing.
To tackle this safari challenge, we suggest children pick one word from the list at a time and scan the grid specifically for its first letter. Once the first letter is located, they can then check the surrounding letters to see if the rest of the word follows. Marking off each word from the list as it's found helps keep track of progress and makes the remaining words feel more achievable.
This activity is excellent for practicing several skills. It helps develop fine motor control as children circle or highlight the words. It also strengthens letter recognition and early phonics awareness by focusing on individual letters and their sequence within words. Searching for words within the grid encourages visual scanning and basic problem-solving skills, building early literacy foundations.
For a fun group activity, print multiple copies of the "Safari Word Search." Have children work in pairs to find the words, encouraging teamwork and communication. Alternatively, turn it into a scavenger hunt by hiding the completed word search pages around a room, with each page revealing a clue to a "safari treasure" at the end.
Teacher notes
Skills practiced
- Letter recognition and visual scanning
- Spelling and sight-word practice
- Directional reading: across, down and diagonal
- Vocabulary: using each found word in a sentence
Suggested use in class
- Spelling-list review on the day before a quiz
- Pair work: one partner reads the word, the other hunts for it
Time estimate
10–15 minutes
Materials
- Printed page
- Pencil or highlighter
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.
Includes answer key (page 2 of the PDF)
Print just page 1 for the puzzle, or both pages to keep the solution handy for checking.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
What does a word search actually teach?
Spelling and letter-pattern recognition, mostly: to find a word, a child has to hold its spelling in mind and scan for it — which reinforces whole-word recognition. It also builds the systematic left-to-right, top-to-bottom scanning that reading depends on.
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.