New Year's Eve on December 31 ends with a countdown to midnight, and New Year's Day on January 1 starts the calendar fresh. These three puzzles cover both: the party hats and fireworks, the resolutions and plans, and the old traditions that ring in the year.
Start with "Countdown to Midnight" for a gentle puzzle where every word reads left to right or top to bottom. "Fresh Start" and "Ringing in the Year" add diagonal words for a little more challenge. Each prints in large type on one page, with the answer key on the next.
Print settings
Each PDF has the puzzle on page 1 and the answer key on page 2. Print at 100% scale for the largest letters.
Hand out puzzles at a New Year's Eve party to fill the quiet hour before the countdown.
Once you finish "Fresh Start", write a resolution in the margin and keep the page where you will see it.
In a group, ask each person to share a favorite New Year's memory when they find a word.
Want different words?
Use the word search maker to build your own New Year's puzzle. Pick the grid size, the letter size and how hard it should be, or type in your own list of words, such as family names or a class spelling list.