Secret-message word search
The grid has no spare letters. The cells left over spell a message, and typing it finishes the puzzle.
When to use it
The closing lesson of a science topic, where the leftover letters sum up the big idea. A cover lesson that has to run itself and needs a clear finish. A station at a school open evening, where typing the message is how visitors know they're done.
What makes it this
Built on the Word search generator with these changed. Everything else is the default.
- Hidden solution
The letters left over once every word is placed spell out a word or phrase for players to find.
In the builder: Words & grid
- Fit the solution exactly
Reshapes the grid around the solution — which can drop words from your list to make it fit.
In the builder: How it plays › Hidden solution
- Solving it completes the activity
The right solution finishes the activity, even with cells still empty.
In the builder: How it plays › Hidden solution
Preview
View only — copy it to play.Water cycle word hunt: the secret message
16 words
Why the example is built this way
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The words and the message fill the grid exactly.
Any spare letter would be read as part of the message. Fit the solution exactly can drop words to make it fit, so check every word on your list made it in.
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Four directions, none of them backwards.
Words run left to right, down and diagonally. For ten-year-olds, hunting for backwards words is a different puzzle from the one this is about.
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The message is the finish line.
With Solving it completes the activity on, typing the message finishes it even with words still to find. The sentence is the goal, not a bonus round.
Build it yourself
- 1 Open the Word search builder and fill in the Words & grid tab.
- 2 Change the settings under What makes it this. Each one says where it is in the builder.
- 3 Share the link with your players, or embed the activity in your own site.
Or skip the building: copy this example and swap in your own content.