Back To School Word Search Free Printable

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Grab this free Back‑to‑School Word Search printable! Simple, screen-free fun that helps kids ease into school with letter practice and calm focus.

Is anyone else feeling that back-to-school tornado—early alarms, rushed breakfasts, “What’s for lunch?” chaos? I totally feel you. On hectic mornings (or quiet homework time), I love having an easy, screen-free activity ready to help my kids settle into the day—and our Back-to-School Word Search printable is exactly that kind of small lifesaver.

It’s a sweet, simple puzzle that builds reading skills and gives kids a sense of accomplishment—all before the bus arrives.

Printable school word search with colorful header and a list of school-related words like alphabet, pencil, and teacher.

Why We Love This Word Search

  • No prep, no mess — Just download, print, and hand it over.
  • Perfect for any moment — Great for morning routines, quiet car rides, or early afternoon calm time.
  • Skill-building fun — Kids practice letter recognition, reading, and focus—but it just feels like play.
  • Gentle transition — Helps shift minds from summertime silliness to school-day structure in a gentle way.
Two back to school word search printables side by side—one blank and one with words highlighted in yellow (answer key).

What Do you Get When you Download this Word Search?

Here’s what you’ll get when you download:

  • A kid-friendly word search with 15 fun, school-themed words like “pencil,” “teacher,” “books,” and “lunchbox” that your kids will actually enjoy hunting for.
  • An answer key (because sometimes we moms just don’t have time to search for “eraser” ourselves).

It’s an easy little win for everyone—your kids feel proud and focused, and you get a quiet moment to sip your coffee.

A school word search with “board” circled in green marker.

How to Get Started

Getting started is super easy (because we moms don’t need one more complicated thing):

  1. Click the link below
  2. Enter your email and check your inbox
  3. Print it out, grab a pencil, and let the hunt begin
Close-up of a completed school word search puzzle with words highlighted across the page.

Smart Mom Tips

  • Laminate & reuse — Keep a dry-erase copy around for repeat play (tiny laminator rolls are awesome for this).
  • Turn it into a habit — Tuck it near the breakfast table or in the car for those rushed mornings.
  • Pair with conversation — After finding each word, ask a question like, “What color is your favorite pencil?” or “Who’s your best friend at school?”
  • Boost their confidence — Celebrate completed puzzles with a star sticker or a quick high-five.

More Calm, Back-to-School Favorites

If you’re loving this word search, here are some other easy, feel-good tools to help with the back-to-school season:

Share Your Back-to-School Moments!

I LOVE seeing your families in action. If your kiddo completes their word search—or simply enjoys a quiet puzzle moment—snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @MicheleTripple. Let’s cheer each other on as we sail through the school year!

Grab Your
School Word Search
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