A classic option for a printable learning game, crosswords are available on the Internet in a variety of formats and difficulties. They can also have specific themes, including holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day, Halloween and Easter, and general topics such as vegetables, making them suitable to introduce during specific days or lessons. Adults can also find a selection of more challenging printable crosswords in a variety of formats (diagramless, octo-cross, codeword) at Puzzle Choice (see Resources).
Word search games provide a way to test a kid's or even an adult's vocabulary knowledge and ability to spot words in a pool of seemingly randomly placed letters. TheKidzPage.com offers a variety of printable word search puzzles for children, each with the words players must find in a separate box. In case you want to make the game more difficult, you can cut out this box from the sheet and keep it as a reference when evaluating the results.
The purpose of maze games is to start from a designated point and draw the route toward the finishing spot. It sounds easy, but the mazes kids encounter in printable games are difficult enough to keep them occupied for a long time. Maze games are a way for children to learn how to predict the outcome of their every move to avoid dead ends and develop their critical thinking skills. Go to TheKidzPage.com for printable maze challenges.
For young children, matching cards offer a way to learn about objects they are not ready to express with words yet (patrol cars, helicopters, boats), while having fun playing simple games. These include matching two identical pictures from two groups of cards or combining two -- or more -- cards to create a complete image. You can find matching cards at Activity Village, as well as at Puzzles.com (see Resources).