Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Christmas Word Search: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Word Search is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children look for eight short Christmas words hidden in a grid of letters and circle each one. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children get a grid of letters and a list of eight Christmas words. They read a word from the list, search the grid for it and circle it when they find it. Words run across, down and diagonally down, so children learn to scan in more than one direction. The words are short and familiar, which suits early readers. The only writing needed is the circling.
- SNOW
- STAR
- GIFT
- TREE
- BELL
- SANTA
- HOLLY
- CARD
Why a word search helps early readers
A word search asks children to hold a word in their head and match it, letter by letter, against a crowded grid. That means looking closely at the order of letters, which is exactly what early reading and spelling need. Children also practise scanning, moving their eyes steadily along a row or down a column instead of jumping about the page.
Christmas words are a good choice for Year 1. Most children already hear and say them in December, so they have a picture and a meaning to attach to each word. That familiarity gives them confidence. They can sound a word out, check it against the list and feel the satisfaction of spotting it in the grid.
Christmas facts for curious children
- Christmas Day is on 25 December.
- Holly is a plant that stays green all through the winter.
- Snow is made of tiny ice crystals that stick together as they fall.
- Many families in the UK send Christmas cards to friends and relatives.
- A bell makes its sound when it is hit, because the metal shakes very quickly.
Skills and curriculum link
- Reading words
- Letter spotting
- Spelling
- Scanning a grid
- Following a word list
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Reading: word reading | Year 1 |
What children will be able to do
- I can read simple festive words.
- I can find words in a grid of letters.
- I can sound out a word to check it.
Ideas to help children find the words
- Start with one letterChoose a word from the list and say its first letter. Look through the grid for that letter, then check the letters next to it.
- Check three directionsRemind children that words go across, down and diagonally down. Trace each direction with a finger before moving on.
- Say the soundsSound the word out slowly, then check each sound against the letters in the grid. This links reading and spelling.
- Tick as you goTick each word in the list once it is circled. It shows progress and makes it clear which words are left.
Key words
- Word searchA puzzle where words are hidden in a grid of letters.
- GridA pattern of squares in rows and columns. Each square holds one letter.
- RowA line of letters that goes across the grid.
- ColumnA line of letters that goes down the grid.
- DiagonalA slanting line. In this puzzle, words can slant down across the grid.
- LetterOne of the symbols we use to write words. We put letters together to make words.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Read the word list aloud together. Ask your child to say each word and tell you what it is.
- Remind them that words go across, down and diagonally down. Find the first word together.
- Let your child search for the rest and circle each word. Ask them to sound it out to check.
- Check the answers on page 2 together. Come back to the sheet another day to build confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Do one word together first. Point to its first letter and help your child scan the grid for that letter. Then check the letters beside it. Let them tick each word off the list once it is circled. Finding a few words is a good start.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to write each word they found in a sentence of their own. Or ask them to sort the words by how many letters they have. They could also say which word they think was hardest to spot, and explain why.
Make it a game
Race a friend or a brother or sister to find all eight words, each with their own copy. A grown up checks the circled words against the answers on page 2. The first player with every word correct wins.
Talk about it
- Which Christmas word was easiest to spot, and why?
- Which word was the hardest to find? What did you try?
- Can you sound out one of the words for me?
- Which words go across, and which go down?
- What other Christmas words could we hide in a puzzle?
- Which of these words do you see around the house at Christmas?
Take it off the page
Christmas word hunt
Write the eight words on paper and look for them on cards, wrapping paper, books or packaging at home. Tick each one when you spot it.
Make a mini word search
Draw a small grid on squared paper. Hide two or three Christmas words in it, then fill the empty squares with random letters. Swap with a friend to solve.
Letter tile words
Write letters on small pieces of paper and use them to build the Christmas words one letter at a time. Mix them up and build them again.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first word, then let them lead. Praise careful looking and sounding out, not just speed. Stop when they need a break and return to it another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity in the run up to Christmas. It needs only printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider English plan alongside books and everyday talk. It can be reused for brothers and sisters, or for a quick recap of the words a few weeks later.
Where this fits in reading
Before a word search, children learn to recognise letters, link them to sounds and read simple words. Matching a word to its letters in a grid builds on that early phonics work and asks for steady, careful looking.
After this, children can move on to reading longer words, spelling more common words and noticing letter patterns in the words they read. Short playful puzzles like this help those skills feel familiar and enjoyable.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you find the word in the grid?
- Which word was the hardest to spot?
- Can you sound out one of the words for me?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Christmas Word Search for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. The words are short and familiar, so it also suits children who are still building confidence with reading.
- What will children practise?
They practise reading simple festive words, spotting letters and checking spelling. They also learn to scan a grid in more than one direction, which supports the word reading strand of the National Curriculum for England.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. They read each word in the list and circle it in the grid. Words go across, down and diagonally down. Keep page 2 for the answers.
- What if my child finds it too hard?
Start by doing one word together. Point to its first letter and help your child scan for it, then check the letters beside it. Finding just a few words is a good first go.
- Is it free to use?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use, and you can print it again for brothers, sisters or a later recap.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child, so no set time is given. Let them work at their own pace and stop for a break if they tire. They can come back to finish another day.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children only need a pencil to circle the words, so no colour printing or other equipment is needed.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.