How to Make a 20-Word Crossword Puzzle

Crossword puzzles published in magazines and newspapers are a favorite pastime for many. However, they often deal with obscure trivia that not everyone is familiar with or interested in, causing many to lose interest before completing the puzzle. Solve this problem by making your own crossword for friends and family members to solve. Whether you are making the puzzle for a child or a seasoned pro, choose a special theme that will make the puzzle even more entertaining.

Things You'll Need

• Scratch paper
• Pencil
• Graph paper
• Black marker
• Stapler

Instructions

1. Choose the 20 words, relating to the same theme, that you want to include in your crossword puzzle. Jot them down on scratch paper.

2. Select from the list two words that have a letter in common. On scratch paper, write one word horizontally. Write the other word vertically, positioning it in a way that it intersects the first word at the common letter.

3. Choose another word from the list that has a letter in common with either of the original two words. Write it either horizontally or vertically, intersecting at the shared letter. Continue to do so until all of the 20 words have been integrated into the puzzle.

4. Pick a word to start with and trace enough adjacent boxes on a sheet of graph paper to fit that word. Repeat this step until space has been provided for every word.

5. Write a small "1" in the top left corner of the first box of one of the words at the top of the page. Continue to put numbers, in chronological order, in the first box of each word.

6. Shade all of the surrounding boxes that will not have words in them with a black marker.

7. Make two columns on another sheet of paper. Label one column "Down" and the other "Across." In each column, write down the numbers and clues that correspond to the words.

8. Staple the two sheets together and give them to a friend or family member to solve.