How to complete a word search puzzle: tips and tricks

Word search puzzles are a great way to exercise your brain and have some fun! They are also a popular pastime for people of all ages. A word search puzzle is a grid filled with letters that contain hidden words. The challenge is to find all the words within the grid. Word search puzzles can be tricky, so use our tips on how to complete a word search puzzle to help you succeed.

how to complete a word search puzzle

Start with the perimeter

When starting a word search puzzle, one of the best tips is to begin by searching the perimeter of the grid. This is often where you will find the longer words and can help you to solve cryptograms and other word puzzles quickly. Look for words in straight lines, either horizontally or vertically. When you spot a word, circle it with a marker so you can easily find it later.

Some people also like to highlight the letters they find in the word as they go, allowing them to keep track of their progress and make sure they don’t miss anything.

Another way to solve word searches is to look at all the vowels first since those usually stay in one place while consonants shift around more frequently. If you’re stuck on a difficult word, try breaking it down into smaller parts and looking at each part separately. You could also try changing the order of the letters to see if any patterns emerge.
Finally, if all else fails, consider asking someone else for help – there’s no shame in getting an extra set of eyes on your word searches!

Look for words in straight lines

One of the most important skills for solving a word search puzzle is to look for words in straight lines. You can look horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally.
Start by looking for words going left to right across the puzzle. This is usually the easiest way to spot words, as they often form patterns across the puzzle. Once you’ve found one word, you can usually use it as a starting point to help you find other words that fit around it.
Next, look for words going up and down the puzzle. These are a bit more difficult to spot, but they can be quite helpful if you’re stuck. They can be quite sneaky, so take your time and make sure you double-check any words you think you’ve found.
Finally, look for words that go diagonally across the puzzle. These can be even harder to spot than the other types of words, but don’t give up! Take your time and look carefully; you may surprise yourself with what you can find!

Check the backwards words

When completing a word search puzzle, you should also take the time to check for any words that are written backwards. These are known as “reverse words” and they can be tricky to spot. To find these hidden words, look for parts of words that could be written in reverse. It might help to read each word from right to left and see if any of the letters make sense. It’s often easier to find these words if you start at the end of a row or column and work backwards. Once you have identified a few of the letters, you should be able to fill in the rest of the word quickly. While some word puzzles feature a lot of backward words, others don’t have any at all, so take the time to scan for them before you get too deep into your search.

Use a marker

When completing a word search puzzle, it can be helpful to use a marker to highlight the words you find. This can help you keep track of which words you have already found and which ones you still need to locate. Using a marker will also make it easier to go back and review the words you’ve found if you become stuck. You can also use a marker to cross out the letters of each word you find, to help prevent accidentally missing a word.
When solving any type of word puzzle, a marker can help you track your progress and keep your eyes on the prize!

Relax and take your time

Solving word search puzzles can be a fun and relaxing way to pass the time. While these word puzzles can seem challenging at first, they are actually quite easy to complete once you get the hang of it. There’s no need to rush or stress yourself out over them – just take your time and enjoy the puzzle.
One great way to do this is by breaking the puzzle up into smaller chunks. For example, focus on a particular area of the puzzle or work on a particular set of words at one time. This can help make the puzzle seem less intimidating and can help you find words easier.
Additionally, keep in mind that these puzzles are meant to be solved slowly and methodically, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t complete it in one sitting. Take a break and come back with fresh eyes – you might find that it’s suddenly much easier to solve.
Word search puzzles can be a great way to de-stress and occupy your mind, so relax, take your time, and enjoy the challenge!

 

Get More Word Search Puzzles

To get a regular monthly supply of Word Search Puzzles take a look at our exclusive Puzzle Club

Word Puzzles

 

Just a very quick post to tell you about our new Facebook Group: Word Puzzles is designed specifically for people with an interest in word search, cryptograms, anagrams and all things word puzzle related. However, because we know that your interests may include other types of puzzle such as sudoku, number search and so on we are happy to see posts about these puzzles too.

word puzzles

What we are not happy to see are random spam posts and videos so we can assure you that any of these posts will be deleted and the poster banned immediately. No exceptions, no second chances; instant lifetime ban.

Why not pop over and have a look at the group? It will take you a couple of minutes to have a look and hopefully you’ll want to become part of this growing group.  Go here – Word Puzzles Group

To save money on your puzzles take a look at our Puzzle Club

Really, Really Difficult Puzzles

WARNING: I have never seen puzzles of this type anywhere other than those I have created.
I believe they are incredibly difficult and will give you hours and hours of pleasure solving them.

40 Really, Really Difficult Letter PuzzlesINCLUDES 40 UNIQUE PUZZLES AND SOLUTIONS | INSTANT DOWNLOAD

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
– 1 pdf file containing the puzzles and the solutions
– 40 original Random Letter Sequence search puzzles
– Large 8.5” x 11” designs that can easily be printed on regular sized paper
– High resolution images
– Printable PDF format
– Unlimited prints (for personal-use only)
– Great for kids, teens, adults and seniors
– Large print for easy reading

 

See more here or click the picture

WHY THIS IS IDEAL FOR YOU:
– This Random Letter Sequence Search Puzzle Book is the perfect gift for everyone.
– Ideal for stress relief, calming down or simply having fun.
– This Random Letter Sequence search puzzle book is perfect for kids: The puzzles are not only fun, but they are an easy, ideal way to boost letter recognition.
– Ideal for using at home or when traveling.

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**This listing is for the digital download of this activity book in PDF format. Please note that no physical copy will be mailed out.**

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This is an original puzzle book that I have created.

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You will be able to instantly download this book. After checkout you’ll be directed to a link to be able to download your file immediately. If for some reason you aren’t directed to the link after purchase click on your “purchase” page and click on “download.” Once you download this file you can print as many as you would like. If you experience any trouble with your order, technical or otherwise, please message me so we can resolve the issue.

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Please do not re-sell these images nor re-share these images on websites, groups, or any other media without my permission. This product is for personal use only. All rights are reserved by myself and may not be reproduced.

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Get 5 Puzzle Books Every Month from The Puzzles For Puzzlers Club

Free Puzzle Book

free puzzle bookToday you can get an exclusive (not available anywhere else but here on this page)
170 page BRAND NEW Puzzle Book containing Word Search, Maze, Word Scramble/Anagram, Cryptogram, Number Search and Sudoku Puzzles.

 

This Puzzle Book will keep you occupied and entertained for hours absolutely free of charge and you can print out the puzzles as many times as you want.

Simply click here and then, when you are on the new page, enter your details into the form and hit the big blue button and we will do the rest.

Random Thoughts From A Puzzled Puzzler

Sometimes I am so busy researching new topics, creating word lists to transform into puzzles, making sudoku puzzles and the hundred and one other things that I do to try and maintain my growing book ’empire’ that I forget to actually to think about what the individual buyers of my books would change about the books..

puzzles for puzzlersAnyway,  I thought I’d go straight to ‘the horse’s mouth’ and ask you, the puzzle book buyer what you would like to change about my books, if anything.

Are you happy with the sizeof the books?

The Layout?

Is the printing quality high enough for your liking?

Are they too difficult, too simple?

If you have any comment you want to make about my books please leave a comment below and I’ll try and reply to everyone and/or make the changes that you want. However spammers will just get their comments deleted before they even show up on the page so don’t bother wasting your time and mine.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Séraphine Marie

 

Birds Of The World Puzzle Book

Now Available On Amazon

Over 400 Brand New Birds Of The World Word Puzzles for Adults and Children

UK  – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086PN1K97

USA – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PN1K97

Over 400 Brand New Word Puzzles For Fun And Education
Spend a few hours (or more) exercising your brain with these easy to read large-print Birds of the World word puzzles.
This fun puzzle collection contains Word Searches, Word Scrambles/Anagrams and Cryptograms and will prove to be a delight for all word puzzle enthusiasts.
Each puzzle page contains both the puzzle and a stunning background photograph of different birds. This is a truly unique, higher quality book than the rest you may find.
The solutions to the puzzles (if you need them) are provided in the back of this puzzle book.
This book is perfect for using at home, whilst travelling, for all your friends and family. A truly educational, entertaining and fun way to enjoy your spare time and a bit of a challenge for your brain.

An ideal gift for everyone.

Features:
Over 400 Fun and educational word puzzles
Large print for easy reading

UK  – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086PN1K97

USA – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PN1K97

Birds of the World Puzzle Book – Coming Soon

Coming Soon On Amazon

Over 400 Brand New Birds Of The World Word Puzzles for Adults and Children

Over 400 Brand New Word Puzzles For Fun And Education
Spend a few hours (or more) exercising your brain with these easy to read large-print Birds of the World word puzzles.
This fun puzzle collection contains Word Searches, Word Scrambles/Anagrams and Cryptograms and will prove to be a delight for all word puzzle enthusiasts.
Each puzzle page contains both the puzzle and a stunning background photograph of different birds. This is a truly unique, higher quality book than the rest you may find.
The solutions to the puzzles (if you need them) are provided in the back of this puzzle book.
This book is perfect for using at home, whilst travelling, for all your friends and family. A truly educational, entertaining and fun way to enjoy your spare time and a bit of a challenge for your brain.

An ideal gift for everyone.

Features:
Over 400 Fun and educational word puzzles
Large print for easy reading