Simple Machines word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this simple machines puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids used scissors and ramps every day but had no idea they were looking at simple machines. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, wedge, fulcrum, load, effort, force, simple machine, compound machine, seesaw, flagpole, and ramp. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the names and functions 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 whether a doorknob is a wheel and axle or something else. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple drawings of a lever and a pulley but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers find one example of each simple machine in the classroom on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.