Turkey Word Search Printable (Easy and Hard Levels)

Word searches are one of those quiet activities kids will happily do on a busy holiday week. This Turkey Word Search Printable comes in two levels, so younger and older kids can both join in.

For more ideas, see my list of turkey activities for kids.

This 2-page printable includes an easier turkey word search with 13 words and a harder Thanksgiving word search with 18 words, plus answer keys. Kids practice reading, spelling and scanning for patterns.

Printable Overview

Resource Detail	Information
Recommended age	Ages 6 to 9 (Grades 1 to 3)
Subject	Literacy
Number of pages	2 pages, plus answer keys
Skills practiced	Reading, spelling, vocabulary, visual scanning and focus
Topics covered	Turkeys and Thanksgiving words
Supplies	Printer, paper and a pencil or highlighter
File type	PDF

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Who Is This Word Search For?

This word search is for kids who are reading simple words and like a puzzle.

Homeschool families doing a turkey or Thanksgiving unit
Siblings of different ages, since there are two levels
Kids who need a quiet activity while the holiday meal is cooking

Why Are Word Searches Good for Kids?

Word searches give kids extra practice reading and spelling words letter by letter.

To find each word, kids hold the spelling in their head while they scan rows of letters. That builds spelling patterns, focus and visual scanning. Theme words like poultry and cornucopia also add new vocabulary to talk about.

Recommended Turkey Books

These turkey books are fun to pair with the word search.

Taylor the Thankful Turkey: A children’s book about being thankful (Thanksgiving book for kids)Turkey Trouble How to Catch a Turkey Never EVER Tickle a Turkey : A Funny Rhyming, Read Aloud Picture Book Turkey Goes to School (Turkey Trouble Book 5)A Turkey for Thanksgiving

What Will Kids Learn?

Kids practice reading and spelling turkey and Thanksgiving words.

Spelling: Match the letters in the word list to letters in the grid.
Vocabulary: Learn words like beard, poultry, cornucopia and Plymouth.
Visual scanning: Search across, down, diagonally and backward.
Focus: Stick with a puzzle until every word is found.

What Supplies Are Needed?

You only need a printer, paper and a pencil or highlighter.

Printer (I have this one)
Paper
Pencil or highlighter

Want to save on ink? Try the HP Instant Ink program to save money on ink. I have the HP 8710 which is discontinued, but it has a scanner and copying feature which is super handy as a homeschooler. I’ve been super happy with my HP printer for our homeschool needs.

What Is Included in the Turkey Word Search Printable?

The printable includes two word searches at different levels, plus an answer key for each.

Turkey Word Search (Easier)

This 15 by 15 grid has 13 turkey words, like beak, gobble, hen and turkey. Words run across, down and diagonally, and a few are backward.

Turkey Word Search (Harder)

The bigger 18 by 18 grid has 18 words and adds Thanksgiving vocabulary like feast, pilgrims, stuffing, cornucopia and Thanksgiving. It’s a good challenge for older kids.

Answer Keys

Each puzzle has an answer key with the words highlighted, so kids can check their own work.

How Can You Extend the Activity?

Try one of these turkey ideas after the word search.

Turkey trivia: Turn the word list into a quiz, like asking what a turkey’s beard is or what a hen is.
Word sort: Sort the words into turkey body parts, foods and Thanksgiving words.
Turkey craft: Make a toilet paper roll turkey and label its beak, wings and tail feathers.
Scavenger hunt: Hide paper turkeys around the house with a word from the list on each one.

Keep the Learning Going

If your kids want to learn how turkeys grow, the Junior Scientist Science Study: Turkey Life Cycle from my shop is a hands-on next step for grades 1 to 3.

Recommended Turkey Toys and Crafts

These turkey toys and these Thanksgiving turkey crowns add more hands-on fun to a turkey week.

ZippyPaws Tucker The Turkey Plush Dog Toy Collecta Turkey Animal Toy Baby’s My First Thanksgiving Fill and Spill Toy Playset PLUS PLUS – Mini Maker Tube – Turkey – 70 Piece, Construction Building Stem Toy, Interlocking Mini Puzzle Blocks for Kids Thanksgiving Christmas Turkey Beanie Hat Cap Cute Cartoon Animal Beanie with Ear Flap Photograph Props for Baby Toddlers Brown, Dress Up Party, Role Play, Hat Photo Prop and Carnival Cosplay Little Turkey: Finger Puppet Book (Little Finger Puppet Board Books) by ImageBooks (2010-09-22)

What Other Free Activities Can You Try?

Here are more turkey activities to try:

Life Cycle of a Turkey Worksheet
Turkey Lapbook
Turkey Books for Kids
I Spy Thanksgiving Printables
Thanksgiving Word Search Printable
Coffee Filter Turkeys Craft from Darcy and Brian
Turkey Color by Number from Homeschool Preschool

FAQs

Start with the easier turkey word search. Once that feels easy, move on to the bigger Thanksgiving puzzle.

Tell them to look for the last letter of the word first, then check the letters going the other way.

It’s best for kids who can read simple words. Younger kids can still hunt for short words like egg or fly with a helper.

This Turkey Word Search Printable gives kids two levels of holiday word practice in one download. Print both and let each child pick the one that fits.

Turkey Word Search Printable