Expressing Needs and Wants Word Search, Scramble and Crossword Puzzle

I made this expressing needs and wants puzzle set for my Year 1 and Year 2 students during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids could feel something but had no idea what words like need, want, or express meant when we talked about telling others what we need. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like need, want, hungry, thirsty, tired, sick, scared, lonely, bored, hot, cold, hurt, full, safe, and quiet. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the needs and wants vocabulary finally stick.

The PDFs are six pages. Three puzzles, each with its own answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after break or wet play. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about the difference between a need and a want. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple happy and sad face drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for Foundation through Year 3. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one need and one want they have on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.