Free Printable Summer Word Search

This free printable summer word search is a low-prep way to entertain your kids and fight the learning summer slump!

I’ve always loved word searches. I have a system I use to solve them and I like to race against myself to see how quickly I can solve the puzzle.

This summer word search features family-friendly words and is a great, low-prep way to entertain your child on a rainy day. It’s also a screen-free way to keep kids busy on a car ride or while waiting for an appointment. I hope you enjoy this free printable word search for summer!

The benefits of word searches

Word searches aren’t just fun, they’re also good for your brain. Working word searches is beneficial for children and adults, especially older adults.

Some word search benefits include improved:

• Word recognition
• Spelling skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Visual discrimination
• Vocabulary

Providing activities like word searches may help your child combat the summer slump, or summer slide. Many students loose about a month’s worth of academic learning over the course of summer vacation. Yikes!

Related: free printable nature scavenger hunt

Free printable summer word search

I have two different versions of the summer break word search printable for you. One is in ink-saving black and white with summer images to color. The second one has a colorful, summer-y background. Both versions feature the same word list and share an answer key.

This is a fairly challenging word search for kids because words can be hidden forwards, backwards, and on the diagonal. Words can also share letters. The answer key is included.

These printables are free for personal and classroom use. You’re welcome to use them with your summer camp, scout troop, etc. as long as you are personally organizing the activity and not charging specifically to play.

Please do not redistribute the files or printouts to others for use with activities they are organizing. Just send your friends and coworkers to this page so they can download their own copies.

A quick and easy way to share the word (and make sure you don’t lose track of these printables for later!) is taking a second to Pin them now. Follow the link to open this Pin on Pinterest!

Do not print and download the preview images because they are low resolution and will look horrible if printed. Use the download links (highlighted in grey) to get the high resolution PDF files. Download links are located below the previews.

First there’s the black and white summer word search. It has two summer suns wearing sunglasses and a palm tree to color!

Download the black and white summer break word search here

Next there’s a bright and cheerful version of the summer vacation word search.

Download the colorful summer word search here

If you need more low-prep activities for your kids, join The Artisan Life today and claim your free printable woodland animal activity pack!