Chemical Reactions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Chemical Reactions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this chemical reactions puzzle set for my 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids could see baking soda and vinegar fizz but had no idea what was actually happening or how to tell a chemical change from a physical one. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like chemical reaction, reactant, product, physical change, chemical change, fizz, bubble, color change, temperature, heat, light, gas, precipitate, burn, rust, and evidence. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary stick.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether a candle burning is a chemical or physical change. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple bubbling flask drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers list three signs that a chemical reaction has happened on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.