Back to School Word Search
Start the year with a back to school word search full of backpacks, pencils, recess, and the people and places kids will see on day one. It's an easy first-week activity for early finishers, a calm way to settle a new class, and a fun countdown activity at home in late August.
Back to School Word Search
Find and circle every word in the list. Words go across, down and diagonally.
- BACKPACK
- BOOKS
- CLASSROOM
- CRAYONS
- DESK
- FRIENDS
- GLUE STICK
- LIBRARY
- LUNCHBOX
- MARKERS
- MATH
- NOTEBOOK
- PENCILS
- PLAYGROUND
- READING
- RECESS
- SCHOOL BUS
- SCIENCE
- TEACHER
- WRITING
Back to School Hidden Message Word Search
Find and circle every word in the list. Words go across, down and diagonally.
- BOOKS
- CRAYONS
- DESK
- FRIENDS
- GLUE STICK
- LIBRARY
- LUNCHBOX
- MARKERS
- MATH
- READING
- RECESS
- SCHOOL BUS
- SCIENCE
- WRITING
Hidden message: the leftover letters, read left to right and top to bottom, spell a secret message._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Back to School Word Search — Answer Key
Back to School Hidden Message Word Search — Answer Key
Hidden message: Welcome Back to School
About this back to school word search
- Use the easy version as first-week morning work; it keeps students settled while you take attendance, collect forms, and sort supplies.
- A word search doubles as a quick observation tool on day one: you can see who scans systematically, who gets stuck, and who jumps in to help a neighbor.
- Have students copy each found word neatly on the back of the page for a low-stakes handwriting and spelling sample to keep on file.
Want a different version? Make your own word search with these words, a shaped grid, or bent words.
Words in these puzzles
backpackpencilsteacherclassroomnotebookcrayonsmarkerslunchboxschool busfriendsdeskbooksreadingwritingmathsciencerecessplaygroundlibraryglue stick
Frequently asked questions
›Is this back to school word search free to print?
Yes. Print it straight from your browser or download the PDF, which includes 2 puzzles and their answer keys. No sign-up needed.
›Where is the answer key?
The answer keys print on their own pages after the puzzles, and they are in the PDF too. Every word is highlighted, so checking is quick.
›Can I make my own back to school word search?
Yes. Press "Customize this puzzle" to open it in the word search maker. There you can add or remove words, change the grid size, pick a shape or add a hidden message.