How to Make a Word Search Puzzle

Word search puzzles are creative games in which users need to find a list of words based on a particular theme or genre. These puzzles are found frequently in newspapers, magazines and newsletters. Writers, publishers and teachers can use the Internet to make a word search puzzle of their own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• List of words to enter into word search puzzle
• Computer with Internet capability
• Pad of paper and writing utensil

1. Develop an understanding of how to use your current computer applications to create a word search. The website Creative Techs is one resource for those who are interested in using Microsoft Word or Excel to get creative with their puzzles (see Resources below).
2. Determine whether you want to use a special theme for your word search puzzle. Seasonal, historical and literary themes are only a few of the approaches to original word searches.
3. List all of the words you want included in your word search puzzle. You can approach this creatively by looking for synonyms, aliases and other alternatives to commonly known words or names.
4. Check your word list for spelling and appropriateness before including the words in the puzzle. For example, puzzles used for a kindergarten class should use words that are appropriate for that education level.
5. Bookmark a variety of free word search puzzle generators online. Websites like the Discovery Channel's Puzzle Maker allow any user to create an original word search with varying levels of difficulty (see Resources below).
6. Put your word search puzzle through a rigorous editorial process if using for public consumption. Ask friends, family and colleagues to test out a draft of your word search puzzle to determine difficulty and avoid errors.
7. Credit the word search generator you used when publishing your puzzle. Online word search creators generally ask for a link or a reference to their website on a voluntary basis. This credit can be placed just beneath the bottom right-hand corner of the word search puzzle.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid large word search puzzles to make your creation user friendly. Most word search generators and software limit your puzzles to a total of 1,600 letters. Users should seek to limit themselves further to avoid unwieldy searches.