Cultural Celebrations Around the World word search, scramble and cross

Cultural Celebrations Around the World word search, scramble and crossword

I made this cultural celebrations puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our world cultures unit. The kids knew about Christmas and Halloween but had no idea about Diwali, Hanukkah, or Lunar New Year. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Eid, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, parade, feast, candle, lantern, gift, and tradition. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the celebration names finally 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 which holiday is called the Festival of Lights. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple lantern, candle, and gift drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one fact about a holiday they celebrate on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.