Hard Fall Word Search
Big grids with words hidden in all eight directions, backwards included. The second puzzle is an expert bent-word challenge where words turn corners.
Crunchy leaves, apple picking, pumpkin patches and cozy sweaters fill this printable fall word search. It works from the first week of school through Thanksgiving, which makes it a handy seasonal activity for morning work, senior activity programs or a rainy autumn afternoon at home.
Hard Fall Word Search
Find and circle every word in the list. Words go in every direction, even backwards.
- ACORN
- APPLE
- APPLE PICKING
- AUTUMN
- BONFIRE
- BOOTS
- CHILLY
- CIDER
- CORN MAZE
- CRISP
- FLANNEL
- GOURD
- HARVEST
- HAY BALE
- HAYRIDE
- LEAF PILE
- LEAVES
- MAPLE
- OAK TREE
- PINECONE
- PUMPKIN
- PUMPKIN PATCH
- RAKE
- SCARECROW
- SCARF
- SQUASH
- SQUIRREL
- SWEATER
Expert Fall Word Search: Bent Words
Find and circle every word in the list. Words bend and twist, letter by touching letter.
- APPLE PICKING
- BONFIRE
- BOOTS
- BREEZY
- CHILLY
- CIDER
- CORN MAZE
- COZY
- CRISP
- FLANNEL
- GOURD
- HAY BALE
- LEAF PILE
- MAPLE
- OAK TREE
- PINECONE
- PUMPKIN PATCH
- RAKE
- SCARF
- SQUASH
Hard Fall Word Search — Answer Key
Expert Fall Word Search: Bent Words — Answer Key
About this fall word search
- Leaves turn yellow and orange when the green chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, revealing pigments that were in the leaf all summer. Reds come from new pigments many trees make in the fall.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox falls on September 22 or 23, when day and night are close to equal length.
- Both "fall" and "autumn" are correct. "Fall" is more common in the United States and comes from the older phrase "fall of the leaf."
- Classroom tip: pair the puzzle with a nature walk and have students check off any words they actually spot, like acorn, pinecone or squirrel.
Want a different version? Make your own word search with these words, a shaped grid, or bent words. See the full fall word list.
Words in these puzzles
autumnleavespumpkinharvestacornapplescarecrowhayridesweatersquirrelmapleoak treepineconecorn mazeapple pickingpumpkin patchcidergourdsquashhay balebonfireflannelscarfbootsrakeleaf pilecrispchillybreezycozy
Frequently asked questions
›Is this fall 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 fall 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.