Free Word Search

Animal word search puzzles

Lions, penguins, octopuses and the rest of the zoo: these animal word searches are the all-time classroom classic. Kids learn to spell the animals they love, and the grids print beautifully for quiet time, waiting rooms and rainy recess.

Three levels cover every age: level 1 (across and down) for early readers, level 3 for animal experts who want their zebras hidden backwards.

Print free Animal word search puzzles

Number of puzzles

Each puzzle comes with its solution — every batch is a fresh draw. Choose “Save as PDF” to keep the file.

Play today's animal word search

24 different grids in this collection

⏱ 0:000 / 22 words
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Drag across the grid to circle a word — it works on paper too, once printed.

Words to find

  • DOLPHIN
  • FOX
  • FROG
  • GOAT
  • GORILLA
  • HEDGEHOG
  • HIPPO
  • HORSE
  • KANGAROO
  • LIZARD
  • MONKEY
  • MOUSE
  • OTTER
  • OWL
  • PARROT
  • PENGUIN
  • SHEEP
  • SNAKE
  • SQUIRREL
  • TIGER
  • TURTLE
  • WHALE
Want another one?

The animal word list

Every puzzle in this collection hides a different selection from these 50 words — so you can print grid after grid without ever solving the same one twice.

  • LION
  • TIGER
  • ELEPHANT
  • GIRAFFE
  • ZEBRA
  • MONKEY
  • GORILLA
  • PANDA
  • KOALA
  • KANGAROO
  • BEAR
  • WOLF
  • FOX
  • DEER
  • MOOSE
  • RABBIT
  • SQUIRREL
  • RACCOON
  • SKUNK
  • BEAVER
  • OTTER
  • DOLPHIN
  • WHALE
  • SHARK
  • OCTOPUS
  • PENGUIN
  • EAGLE
  • OWL
  • PARROT
  • FLAMINGO
  • TURTLE
  • SNAKE
  • LIZARD
  • FROG
  • CROCODILE
  • ALLIGATOR
  • HIPPO
  • RHINO
  • CAMEL
  • LLAMA
  • SHEEP
  • GOAT
  • HORSE
  • COW
  • PIG
  • CHICKEN
  • DUCK
  • MOUSE
  • HEDGEHOG
  • BAT

Frequently asked questions

Are these animal word searches free?

Yes — free to play online and free to print, with no sign-up and no email required. Print as many as you like.

Can I print them or save them as a PDF?

Yes. Pick a difficulty and a number of grids, then click “Print”: each puzzle comes out with its solution on the next page. In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a file instead.

Are the puzzles all different?

Yes — every grid hides a different selection of about twenty words from our animal list, in different positions. Print a whole batch without ever getting the same puzzle twice.

What do the difficulty levels change?

The directions the words hide in. Level 1: across and down only — great for kids. Level 2 adds diagonals. Level 3 also allows backwards words, in all eight directions.

Can I make my own animal word search?

Yes — with our word search maker you can type your own word list (names, places, inside jokes) and get a printable puzzle in seconds, free and without sign-up.

More themed word searches

All themes →

Build your own with the word search maker, browse our free printable word search puzzles, or play the daily word search.