Large-Print Thanksgiving Word Search Puzzles

Thanksgiving comes twice in North America. Canadians celebrate on the second Monday of October (October 12 in 2026), and Americans on the fourth Thursday of November (November 26 in 2026). Both holidays share the same spirit: a harvest meal, family and friends, and a moment to give thanks.

These puzzles stick to the parts both countries share, from the turkey and the pumpkin pie to the long weekend of visiting. Each prints on one page in large type, followed by an answer key.

1. The Thanksgiving Table

12 x 12 grid · 13 words · Easy - across and down

Words to find

  • BUTTER
  • CARROTS
  • CORN
  • CRANBERRY
  • GRAVY
  • PIE
  • POTATOES
  • PUMPKIN
  • ROLLS
  • SQUASH
  • STUFFING
  • TURKEY
  • YAMS

2. Giving Thanks

13 x 13 grid · 13 words · Medium - adds diagonals

Words to find

  • BLESSING
  • CANDLES
  • FAMILY
  • FEAST
  • FRIENDS
  • GATHER
  • GRATEFUL
  • HARVEST
  • HOMECOMING
  • KITCHEN
  • NAPKIN
  • RECIPE
  • TRADITION

3. A Long Autumn Weekend

14 x 14 grid · 14 words · Medium - adds diagonals

Words to find

  • ACORN
  • CIDER
  • CORNUCOPIA
  • FOOTBALL
  • HAYRIDE
  • LEAVES
  • MAPLE
  • NOVEMBER
  • OCTOBER
  • ORCHARD
  • PARADE
  • PECAN
  • SCARF
  • TRAVEL

Ideas for using these puzzles

  • Set a puzzle at each place card to keep guests busy while dinner finishes cooking.
  • Pair a grandparent with a grandchild: one finds the words, the other circles them.
  • Laminate a copy and use a dry-erase marker so the puzzle can be reused all weekend.

Want different words?

Use the word search maker to build your own Thanksgiving puzzle. Pick the grid size, the letter size and how hard it should be, or type in your own list of words, such as family names or a class spelling list.

More seasonal puzzles

Definitions from Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0), shortened.