Newton's Laws of Motion word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Newton's Laws of Motion word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this Newton's laws puzzle set for my 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids knew things moved and stopped but had no idea why, and the word "inertia" just confused them at first. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Newton, law, motion, inertia, acceleration, action, reaction, force, mass, rest, constant speed, push, pull, equal, opposite, and balanced. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the three laws start to make sense.

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 why a seatbelt keeps you safe using Newton's first law. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple ball and arrow drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one sentence explaining the first law in their own words on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.