Animals Word Scramble (Free Printable with Answers)

The word list

All 24 animals are ready above. Swap in the animals your class has just studied, or the ones on your zoo trip.

How to use an animals word scramble

Almost every child has a favorite animal, which is why this puzzle tends to land well. It is a natural extra for a science lesson, a library visit or the quiet time after a trip to the zoo.

1. Decide how many animals to include. Twelve works for early readers, while all 24 give older children a good challenge.
2. Turn the first letter hint on for those still sounding out words.
3. Print a sheet for each child and one answer key for the adult.
4. Let children solve in any order. Many start with the animals they know best.
5. When the sheet is finished, ask children to draw their favorite animal on the back.

Animal variations

• Habitat sort. After solving, children sort the animals into groups: jungle, ocean, farm and savanna.
• Guess the animal. One player picks a solved word and gives clues, such as 'I have a long neck', while others guess.
• Zoo trip prep. Use the animals on the zoo map as the word list and solve the sheet on the bus.

Tips for classrooms and homes

Seahorse and flamingo are good tough words for strong readers. Easy ones like lion and frog are quick wins for beginners.

Combine with a library visit, and ask children to find a picture book about their favorite animal on the sheet.

Print two different puzzles so neighbors cannot copy each other.

Printing animal puzzles

Print on regular paper and add colored pencils so children can decorate the margins. If you print the puzzle for a younger child, choose the word bank and the first letter hint together. The answer key prints on a separate page, and ink saver mode keeps the sheet light.