Picture crossword maker

The clues are pictures, the answers are short words

Make a first crossword. The clues are pictures, so there is nothing to read before the puzzle starts. Your child says the picture and writes its word in the boxes, one letter in each. A word bank at the bottom can help with the spelling.

Words that have a picture (471): press one to add it
Pick a design

Now: . Hundreds of designs to choose from.

Choose each part yourself

To keep a copy, choose “Save as PDF” as the printer. What you type stays on your device: it is not sent to us and not saved.

Your worksheet:

How to make your worksheet

  1. Pick a word set, or choose “Type your own words”.
  2. Choose how many words the puzzle has.
  3. Keep the word bank for a first try. Turn it off to make the puzzle harder.
  4. Print. Press “New version” for a new puzzle from the same words.

The reading skill

Each answer is a short word spelled sound by sound, and the crossing letters check the work: if a word is spelled wrong, the next word does not fit.

Words a beginner can spell

The ready sets are short words where every letter says its usual sound. Only words with a picture a child can name are used.

How the puzzle is made

The page tries many layouts and keeps the one where the most words cross. A typed word that shares no letter with the others is left out, and the page says so. A ready set of one short vowel is topped up with words of the other short vowels when it cannot make three crossing words.

Good questions

Can I use my own words?

Yes. Choose “Type your own words” at the top of the word list and type them. What you type stays on your device.

Why are some of my words left out?

A clue needs a picture a child can name with that word, and the word must cross another word. Open “Words that have a picture” to see what we have.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Keep “Answer key page” on.

Is it free?

Yes, with no sign-up and no limit.

Make another kind of sheet

Free · 2 minutes

Is reading hard for your child, and you are not sure why?

“Behind in reading” can mean ten different things, and each one needs different help. Check off what is true for your child. You will see the one thing to work on first, and what can wait.

Find where to start