Make a puzzle out of the names that matter.
Family names, the town they grew up in, the inside jokes. Type them in, pick a word search or a crossword, and print one page that’s only about them.
Making one for a class? Try the word search maker.Step 1: pick the occasion, or start blank
One person or word per line. For a word search the names are all you need; anything after a colon is left out.
Spaces and apostrophes drop out, so s’mores goes in as SMORES. A two-word name like Mary Ann fits as one, and a crossword clue gets its letter counts, (4,3), so solvers know where the break is.
Step 2: pick a word search or a crossword
Medium: diagonals too.
Happy 70th, Mom!
Name ____________________
- Rose
- Fishing
- Lasagna
- Hawaii
- Garden
- Seventy
Made free at pettigrewlab.com
More free games: pettigrewlab.com/games
All 6 words are in the puzzle.
Step 3: print the puzzle, then the answer key
Print never includes the answers. Show answers is your preview of the answer key.
No printer right now? In the print screen, pick Save as PDF (on an iPhone, tap the share button) and print it later.
Need one for everybody? Set the number of copies in the print screen.
How it works
- Pick the occasion closest to yours, or start blank. The samples are only there to show the idea.
- Swap in your names and words, one per line. For a crossword, add a short clue after a colon.
- Pick a word search or a crossword, hit Shuffle until you like it, then Print. The answer key prints on its own page.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. No sign up, and you can print as many as you want. The only extra on the sheet is a small footer: where it came from, and a QR code to more free games.
Can I use names and nicknames?
Yes, any word at all. Letters are all that go in the grid, so spaces and apostrophes drop out: Mary Ann goes in as MARYANN, and a crossword clue for it says (4,3).
Word search or crossword?
A word search works for anyone, kids included, and only needs the names. A crossword is the better gift when you have a clue for each one, because the clues are where the memories go.
Can I print it on nice paper?
Yes. It prints on one page, so load cardstock or photo paper and pick it in the print settings. Print the answer key on plain paper.
Do you keep my words?
No. The puzzle is made in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.