US Regions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

US Regions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this US regions puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our geography unit. The kids could name a few states but had no idea how to group them into regions or what made each region different. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, region, climate, landform, coast, mountain, plain, forest, desert, farm, and city. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the five regions 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 Texas is in the Southwest or the South. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple state outline and compass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name one state from each region on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.