Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Mothers Day Word Search: Free Printable Game for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Mothers Day Word Search is a free printable game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children search a letter grid for family words linked to Mothers Day, tick them off a word list and practise spelling them correctly. It takes about 15 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, 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 look at a grid of letters and a list of family words. They scan across and down to find each word, then mark it in the grid. The list holds short words and longer ones, so children check spellings letter by letter as they search. It works alone or as a friendly family race, and the finished puzzle can be given to someone special.
- MUM
- MUMMY
- HUG
- KISS
- LOVE
- CARD
- CAKE
- FLOWERS
- SMILE
- THANKS
Why use a word search for spelling?
A word search looks like a simple puzzle, but it asks children to look closely at every letter. To spot a word in a grid, a child has to hold its spelling in mind and compare it with the letters in front of them. That is quiet, careful practice with the order of letters in a word, which is what spelling depends on.
Mothers Day gives the words a warm purpose. Family words such as the ones on this sheet are ones children use in cards and messages, so they have a real reason to spell them well. Not every child has a mum at home, so the sheet can just as easily be given to a grandparent, carer or another special person.
Fun facts about Mothers Day
- In the UK, Mothers Day is also called Mothering Sunday.
- Mothering Sunday falls in spring, three weeks before Easter Sunday, so the date changes each year.
- Many countries celebrate a day for mothers, but not all of them choose the same date as the UK.
- Children often make cards, pick flowers or give a hug to say thank you.
- Any special person, such as a grandparent or carer, can be thanked on the day.
Skills and curriculum link
- Spelling family words
- Scanning a grid
- Letter patterns
- Focus and patience
- Reading across and down
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 | Writing: transcription (spelling) | Year 2 |
What children will be able to do
- I can scan the grid to find hidden words.
- I can spot letter patterns across and down.
- I can spell family words correctly.
Ideas to help children search
- Use the first letterPick one word from the list and say its first letter. Look for that letter in the grid, then check the letters next to it.
- Say it slowlySay the word in separate sounds before searching. Hearing each sound helps a child picture the letters in order.
- Search one directionRun a finger along each row, then down each column. Moving in an order stops children missing parts of the grid.
- Mark and tickColour or circle each word once found and tick it off the list. Seeing progress keeps children going.
Key words
- GridA block of small squares, each holding a letter.
- RowA line of squares going across the grid from side to side.
- ColumnA line of squares going down the grid from top to bottom.
- ScanLook carefully along a space to find something you want.
- Letter patternLetters that sit together in a certain order inside a word.
- SpellingWriting the letters of a word in the right order.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the word list aloud together. Ask your child to say each word and tap out its sounds.
- Let your child search for one word at a time, scanning across and down, and mark each one found.
- Check against the answers on page 2. Ask, "How did you find that word?" The method matters as much as the result.
- Come back another day to play again or race a brother, sister or friend. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Look for the first letter of one word at a time. Say the letter, then run a finger along each row and down each column to find it. When you spot it, check the next letter. Start with the shortest words on the list.
To stretch confident children
Write a sentence using three of the words. Check that each word is spelled just as it is on the list. Then write a short message for someone special, using as many of the words as you can.
Make it a game
Make it a family race. Each player has their own copy and a different coloured pencil. Start together and see who finds all the words first. Then swap sheets and check each other's spellings.
Talk about it
- Who is a special person you would like to thank, and why?
- Which word on the list was easiest to find? What made it easy?
- How did you search the grid? Did you go across, down or both?
- Which word was hardest to spell, and how did you work it out?
- What would you write inside a card for someone special?
- Can you think of another family word that is not on the list?
Take it off the page
Make a card
Fold a piece of paper into a card. Draw a picture on the front and write a short thank you message inside, using words from the sheet.
Spell with letters
Write each list word on scraps of paper, one letter per piece. Mix them up and put the letters back in the right order.
Make your own search
Choose a few family words and write them into a small grid of squares. Fill the empty squares with other letters. Ask someone to find your words.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first word, then let them lead. Short bursts work best. Praise the careful looking, not just the speed, and ask who they would like to give the finished puzzle to.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, early finisher task or table activity around Mothers Day. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 offers help and a stretch idea for mixed ability groups, and the sheet supports spelling at Year 2.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider English plan. It pairs well with card making, books about families and everyday talk. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a quick spelling revisit a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children learn letter sounds, read short words and notice common letter patterns. A word search builds on that by asking them to match a whole word against a mix of letters, which strengthens careful looking.
After this, children can move on to spelling longer words, using words in their own sentences and writing messages, captions and cards. The sentence stretch idea on the sheet is a first step in that direction.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you search the grid for a word?
- Which word was hardest to spell, and how did you work it out?
- Can you write a sentence using one of the words?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Mothers Day Word Search for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Children who are a little younger or older can try it too, with a grown up beside them for support or an extra challenge.
- What will children practise?
They practise scanning a grid for letter patterns and spelling family words. They also build focus, because they have to look carefully across and down until each word is found.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. Some children will be quicker and others will want more time. There is no need to rush, and children can come back to the sheet another day to finish.
- What if it feels too hard?
Look for the first letter of one word at a time. Start with a short word, say its letters aloud and check the letters beside each match. Take a break if needed and return later.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can use a pencil or coloured pencils to mark each word they find.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help, a stretch idea and answers.
- Is it a screen free activity for home education?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or as part of a wider plan, and print it again for others.
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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.