Hard Winter 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.
Snowflakes, sledding, mittens, polar bears and hot cocoa fill this winter word search, with no specific holiday so it works all the way from December into February. It is a good fit for indoor recess, snow days, January morning work and winter activity hours at senior centers.
Hard Winter Word Search
Find and circle every word in the list. Words go in every direction, even backwards.
- BLANKET
- BLIZZARD
- BOOTS
- CHILLY
- EARMUFFS
- FIREPLACE
- FREEZING
- FROST
- HOT COCOA
- ICE SKATING
- ICICLE
- IGLOO
- MITTENS
- PARKA
- PENGUIN
- POLAR BEAR
- SCARF
- SHIVER
- SLED
- SLEET
- SNOW
- SNOW ANGEL
- SNOW DAY
- SNOWBALL
- SNOWFLAKE
- SNOWMAN
- TOBOGGAN
- WINTER
Expert Winter Word Search: Bent Words
Find and circle every word in the list. Words bend and twist, letter by touching letter.
- BLANKET
- BOOTS
- CHILLY
- EARMUFFS
- FIREPLACE
- FREEZING
- HOT COCOA
- ICE SKATING
- IGLOO
- PARKA
- PENGUIN
- POLAR BEAR
- SHIVER
- SKIING
- SLED
- SLEET
- SNOW ANGEL
- SNOW DAY
- SNOWBOARD
- TOBOGGAN
Hard Winter Word Search — Answer Key
Expert Winter Word Search: Bent Words — Answer Key
About this winter word search
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice on December 21 or 22 is the shortest day of the year. Days slowly get longer after it.
- Snow crystals form with six-sided symmetry because of the way water molecules link together as they freeze.
- Animals handle winter in different ways: bears and groundhogs hibernate, many birds migrate south, and snowshoe hares grow a white coat for camouflage.
- Snow-day tip: print a few levels at once so siblings of different ages can each work on their own copy at the kitchen table.
Want a different version? Make your own word search with these words, a shaped grid, or bent words. See the full winter word list.
Words in these puzzles
wintersnowsnowflakesnowmansnowballblizzardiciclefrostmittensscarfbootssledice skatinghot cocoafireplaceblanketpenguinpolar bearigloosleetfreezingchillyshiverparkaearmuffssnow angelsnow daytobogganskiingsnowboard
Frequently asked questions
›Is this winter 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 winter 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.