Free Thanksgiving Word Search Printable for Kids

A Thanksgiving word search has become one of our favorite go-to activities during the holiday week, especially when I need something screen-free and festive.

This free printable includes 15 themed words like pumpkin, pilgrims, and gratitude, plus a few fun extras to keep kids engaged even after they finish.

It’s a simple way to sneak in some vocabulary practice while adding a bit of quiet fun to your celebration.

**This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.**

Thanksgiving Word Search Puzzle

This free printable word search is perfect for keeping kids busy at home or in the classroom. You’ll find the printable PDF and answer key at the bottom of the post.

There are 15 holiday-themed words hidden in all directions, horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and even backward, for an extra challenge. It’s a great quiet-time activity that blends fun with a little bit of learning.

Once they’ve found all the words, kids can color the Thanksgiving-themed images included on the sheet, great for early finishers or adding a creative twist.

Tip: Have kids circle the words or use a highlighter, since some letters overlap with more than one word.

Thanksgiving Word Bank

There are 15 Thanksgiving Day hidden words to find:

• Gravy
• November
• Turkey
• Gratitude
• Football
• Cooking
• Festival
• Harvest
• Family
• Friends
• Corn
• Autumn
• Pilgrims
• Leaves
• Pumpkin

Looking to tie in a little history too? History Smashers: The Mayflower is a great pick for upper elementary kids and gives a more honest, age-appropriate look at what really happened.

Looking for another quiet-time activity? Try our Thanksgiving trivia printable, it’s multiple choice, kid-friendly, and surprisingly fun even for adults.

Educational Benefits

This Thanksgiving word search is a simple way to introduce seasonal vocabulary without overwhelming younger learners.

We’ve used it in our homeschool to reinforce spelling and improve word recognition, especially with early readers. It also builds visual scanning and attention to detail, skills that come in handy across all subjects.

Teachers might also use it as a low-prep ELA warm-up, sub-plan filler, or a quiet task during transitions.

Want another word game? Try our free Thanksgiving word scramble, great for early finishers or as a follow-up activity after the word search.

More Free Thanksgiving Activities

If your kids enjoy this word search, here are a few more free printable games for Thanksgiving we’ve loved using over the years:

Turn the day into an adventure with a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, a fun way to get kids moving and noticing festive details around the house.

Give a classic game a seasonal twist with these Thanksgiving scattergories. Players fill in holiday-themed categories using words that start with a chosen letter, great for all ages.

Set up a creative corner with free Thanksgiving coloring pages, so kids can unwind with crayons while you prep dinner.

Offer a small keepsake with free Thanksgiving bookmarks to color, a simple craft that’s both fun and functional.

Encourage kids to reflect on the season with Thanksgiving acrostic poems using the word thankful and gratitude as their guide for writing.

Get Your Free Printable Thanksgiving Word Search PDF

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free Thanksgiving word puzzle.

Last Updated on 7 August 2025 by Clare Brown