Energy Types word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Energy Types word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this energy types puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids knew energy was important but couldn't name different forms or tell the difference between kinetic and potential. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like kinetic, potential, thermal, light, sound, electrical, chemical, nuclear, mechanical, heat, motion, stored, transfer, convert, and renewable. 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 battery has potential or kinetic energy. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple sun, lightning, and moving car drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers list two examples of kinetic energy and two of potential energy on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.