December is packed with cozy themes that kids and Moms love — Christmas traditions, winter animals, and (most importantly) the Birth of Jesus. This December Word Search Packet includes 10 themed word search puzzles for kids in 1st–4th grade, plus an answer key. Use them as quick morning work, quiet time, or a fun literacy activity during your holiday school days.
The December Word Search Puzzle Packet – the last word search group of this year! December lends itself to so many fun topics: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Christmas cookies, Penguins, Animals in the Winter, and of course the most important being the Birth of Jesus.
I have thoroughly enjoyed creating these word searches for your 1st-3rd graders. I know you’ve enjoyed them as well by your many comments, emails, and downloads.
It’s fun to dive into topics associated with the month or season.
Have you missed the other word search puzzles? Click here to browse through all of the monthly word search packets. If you’re looking for more themes, make sure you browse the Word Search Printables Hub.
This post was originally written in 2017 and the packet has been updated several times through the years. Please download the newest version and enjoy again!
🎄 Take some time to browse through all of the Christmas Worksheets and Printable Activities here at Mama’s Learning Corner! You will find color by code, phonics and math activities, composition practice, and much more.
❄️ Browse through all of the Winter Worksheets and Printable Activities here at Mama’s Learning Corner. You’ll find color by code, writing activities, coloring pages, and more!
December Word Search Printable Pack
This December word search packet has several fun themes, each pertaining to the month of December. Christmas cookies, penguins, Pearl Harbor Day, and the Birth of Jesus are just a few of the vocabulary word lists used in this puzzle worksheet set.
Each of my word search packets contains 10 different word search puzzles, each with themes that relate to the particular month.
December Word Search – At a Glance
Recommended grades: 1st–4th (also great for advanced Kindergarten)
Includes: 10 themed word searches + answer key
Words per puzzle: 12
Prep: Print and go
Best for: morning work, quiet time, centers, early finishers, holiday school
Each word in the search can be found horizontally, vertically, or diagonally from left to right.
♥ Also note that the pages are not dated in any way, so you should be able to use them year after year.
What’s Included in the December Word Search Printables
This word search pack includes 10 different themes for the month of December, with 12 vocabulary words per page.
These are great Christmas word searches for kids, but they’re not dated — you can reuse them year after year!
You’ll find the following topics in this December Word Search Puzzle Packet:
🎄 ‘Twas the Night! – Words from the famous poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
🎄 It’s Christmas! – Traditional Christmas vocabulary words such as stocking, wreath, decorations
🎄 The Birth of Jesus – Words about the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ
🎄 Animals in Winter – Vocabulary words for winter animals’ adaptations such as hibernation
🎄 Oh Christmas Tree – Words about Christmas trees such as lights and tinsel
🎄 Christmas Cookies – Vocabulary words associated with yummy Christmas cookies
🎄 Penguins – Vocabulary words about the black and white birds from the North Pole
🎄 Hanukkah – Words associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah
🎄 Pearl Harbor Day – Words associated with this American event, which is observed on December 7th
🎄 Winter Solstice – Vocabulary words associated with the seasonal event of winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year
🎄 Also includes an answer key.
Ideas for Using these December Word Search Printables for Kids
There are so many creative ways to use these word searches in your homeschool:
- Place them in your daily child’s work box
- Save them for times when you’re stuck in the car or in a waiting room
- Use them for the inevitable crazy pre-dinner hour when everyone is squirrelly
- Use them as fun work for your young one while you’re teaching another child.
If you’re a classroom or co-op teacher:
- Use these in your themed centers
- Put in your emergency sub tub
- Use for early finishers
- Send home as “fun” work over the Christmas break
I’d love to know how you use these in your home or classroom, so feel free to leave a comment!
Why Word Search Puzzles for Kids?
Are word searches just busy work for kids? I say absolutely not!
Yes, they are fun pages, but word searches can be packed with learning.
Here are a few suggestions:
- These word searches are grouped by theme. Choose a ‘theme for the day’ or have a ‘Fun Friday Theme’ each week. Talk about the theme – read a book, watch an educational You Tube video, and go over each vocabulary word. Ensure your children know what each word means and can use it appropriately in a sentence.
- Do your students need phonics help? Choose a few words from the word bank in the puzzle and focus on a particular phonics concept. For example, choose to work on vowel teams, silent letters (such as a silent k or g), consonant blends, tricky spelling concepts, or types of syllables. The opportunities for phonics mastery are endless here.
➡️ Need help with teaching spelling? Take a look at How I Teach Spelling in Our Homeschool - Use this as a brainstorming activity. After reviewing the vocabulary words together on your chosen puzzle page, brainstorm other words that could be included. Make a list on the board and add to it throughout the day or week.
- Need penmanship practice? Have your child write the vocabulary words – in print or cursive – in their best penmanship.
➡️ Need more handwriting resources? Hop over to my handwriting and copywork section to find a variety of helps.
Download the December Word Search Packet
Option 1: All Access Pass Members
All Access Pass members can download this full December packet inside the All Access Pass area.
After you log in, go to the Word Searches page, scroll to December, and click to download.
✅ Click here for more information about the All Access Pass
Option 2: Purchase the December Word Search Packet
If you’d like to purchase just this month, you can find the December Word Search Packet in my shop here:
December Word Search Packet (1st–4th Grade) – 10 Printable Puzzles
10 printable December word searches for 1st–4th grade—holiday + winter themes, easy prep, and an answer key included.
Option 3: Save with the Monthly Word Search Bundle
Want the whole year in one click? This packet is also included in the Monthly Word Search Bundle (12 months):
Word Search BUNDLE
Word Search BUNDLE!
Purchase ALL monthly word searches for 70% off!
Includes 120+ word searches for 1st-3rd grades with various monthly themes.
More Monthly Word Search Packets
Want to follow the series month-by-month?
- Did you miss last month? Find the November Word Search Packet here.
- Next up: The January Word Search Packet is ready here.
November Word Search Printable Pack (Thanksgiving + Answer Key)
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