What is Word Search?
The word search everyone grew up with, on your phone or the family tablet: a themed list of words is hidden in a grid of letters — across, down, diagonal and, on harder sizes, backwards too. Drag your finger (or the mouse) from the first letter to the last and the word lights up and gets crossed off the list. Easy is a 10×10 grid with eight words reading forwards only, ideal for early readers; Hard is 15×15 with sixteen words in all eight directions.
Every day there is a shared daily puzzle for your streak, and the random mode is unlimited. Race mode adds a two-minute timer for a bit of pressure, Hint flashes the first letter of one unfound word, and Print gives you a tidy black-and-white sheet — handy for classrooms, waiting rooms and car journeys.
20 word search themes
Every grid hides words from one theme — the same bank the daily crossword uses, plus extra plain words per theme. Daily puzzles rotate through them; Random picks any.
- 🍎 Fruit Basket (30 words)
- 🦁 Animal Kingdom (31 words)
- 🍳 In the Kitchen (30 words)
- 🎂 Birthday Party (30 words)
- 🪔 Festivals of India (30 words)
- 🍛 Indian Food (31 words)
- 🫀 The Human Body (28 words)
- 🎨 Colours (30 words)
- 🏫 School Days (29 words)
- ✈️ Travel (30 words)
- 🏏 Sports (29 words)
- 🎵 Music (30 words)
- 🌦️ Weather & Sky (30 words)
- 🌻 In the Garden (30 words)
- 🏠 Around the House (29 words)
- 👩⚕️ Jobs & Work (29 words)
- 🚗 On the Move (30 words)
- 🐠 Under the Sea (29 words)
- 💍 Big Fat Wedding (30 words)
- 🧩 Mixed Bag (50 words)
Sizes and directions
| Level | Grid | Words | Directions | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 10 × 10 | 8 | Across and down, forwards only | Ages 6–9, early readers |
| Medium | 12 × 12 | 12 | Adds the two forward diagonals | Families, classrooms |
| Hard | 15 × 15 | 16 | All eight, including backwards and upwards | Adults, puzzle fans |
Printable word search
Tap Print under any grid for a black-and-white sheet with the letters and the word list. For a class, print the daily puzzle once and photocopy it — every child gets the same grid and you can show the solved one on the screen afterwards.
Game setup
How to play Word Search
- Choose Easy (10x10, 8 words, forwards only), Medium (12x12, 12 words, diagonals) or Hard (15x15, 16 words, all 8 directions).
- Pick 📅 Today's puzzle or 🎲 Random.
- Drag from the first letter of a word to its last; it lights up and is crossed off the list.
- Hint flashes the first letter of an unfound word; Race adds a 2-minute timer. Find them all to finish, or Print a sheet.
What the screen does for you
Word Search on AllPartyGames.com is the referee, not the whole game: it gives the host Three sizes, Daily shared puzzle + unlimited random, Race timer, Hint, Printable sheet, Fullscreen for a class on the TV. Tap the ? button inside the game for these rules at any time, or 📺 for TV mode on a big screen.
How many players?
Word Search works with 1+ players and a typical round takes about 2–8 min. Recommended age: 6+.
Best occasions
Variations
Tips
- Scan for the rarest letter in a word (Q, X, Z, J) — there are few places it can be.
- Run your eye along each row for double letters like OO or LL; they jump out faster than full words.
- On Hard, remember words can run right-to-left and bottom-to-top.
Word Search FAQ
Which directions can words go?
Easy: across and down only. Medium adds the two forward diagonals. Hard uses all eight directions, including backwards and upwards.
Can I play with a class or a group?
Yes — the daily puzzle is identical for everyone that day, so a whole class can solve the same grid and compare times, or put it on the TV with fullscreen and let the room shout out words. The Print button makes paper copies.
Is there a time limit?
Not unless you want one. Normal mode just counts up; Race mode gives you two minutes and tells you how many words you found.
Is Word Search free?
Yes — 100% free with no account required.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, it is designed for phones first and works on tablets, laptops and TVs.