How to Create Word or Phrase Puzzles

Everyone loves a word or phrase puzzle. Now you can create your very own thematic word or phrase puzzles that are sure to entertain family and friends alike. For those of you that are teachers, these puzzles will create a unique educational opportunity to make learning more fun an memorable. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Time
• Graph paper
• Pencil(s)
• Ruler
• Dictionary
• Computer (With Excel capability)

1. Use a sheet of graph paper, pencil and the ruler to determine the number of squares needed to accommodate the number of words or phrases you want to incorporate into your Word or Phrase Puzzle. Remember to give consideration to the number of “decoy” letters that will be needed to hide words within the word or phrase puzzle either forward, backward or diagonally. If you do not provide enough “decoy” letters, the actual words will be to easy to locate.
2. Begin to insert your words into the blank squares on the graph paper using a pencil, not a pen. Pencil may be erased to make changes or corrections. Remember to vary how the words are inserted into the Word or Phrase Puzzle. You may insert words vertical forward, vertical backward, horizontal-forward, horizontal-backward or diagonally forward or backward.
3. After you have placed your words within your grid lines on the word or phrase puzzle, make sure you have left enough blank squares to insert the “decoy” letters that essentially hide your words. Remember, not having enough “decoy” letters surrounding the actual words makes them too easy to locate.
4. Review the completed word or phrase puzzle design on your graph paper for any spelling or phrasing errors.
5. Open the Excel program on your computer and open the Format tab to create a grid similar to the graph paper. You will need to complete the following six tasks:
   
   1. Adjust the row height.
   2. Adjust the column width.
   3. Create Lines for the grid squares borders. (You may print the word or phrase puzzle without borders; but it can make it more difficult to distinguish the letters).
   4. Insert your word or phrase puzzle design from your graph paper into your Excel sheet.
   5. Check for any spelling/phrasing errors.
   6. Print your word or phrase puzzle.

Tips & Warnings

• For family get-togethers, you can create word or phrase puzzle that reflect your family history, or use phrases that family members frequently use.
• For educational purposes, these puzzles are a great way to learn the state capitals, or the capitals of other countries around the world.