Age of Exploration Word Search with Scramble and Crossword Puzzles

The Age of Exploration word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this Age of Exploration puzzle set for my 4th graders during our world history unit. The kids had heard of Columbus but had no idea about other explorers or why they risked their lives to sail across oceans. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like exploration, explorer, voyage, ship, navigation, compass, astrolabe, map, Columbus, Magellan, da Gama, Cortes, Pizarro, colony, and trade. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary 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 Magellan actually sailed around the whole world himself. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple ship and compass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name one explorer and what they are famous for on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.