With Tek
How to make a crossword puzzle your family can't solve
To make a crossword puzzle, pick a theme and a list of words, write the longest word across the middle of graph paper, and hook each new word through a letter it shares. Then number the start squares and write a fair but tricky clue for every word. In this course your kid builds a grid on graph paper, copies the empty boxes onto a puzzle sheet, writes across and down clues, and tests the puzzle on someone at home. Tek hosts four short films for kids 6 to 13, with a small animal crossword (tiger, goat, frog, and owl) as the example all the way through. Plan about 3 minutes of films and 30–45 minutes of making and solving. On Kubrio, all four films and the quiz are free, with no account, and your kid ends with a crossword of their own and a secret answer sheet.
All 4 lessons and the quiz are free on this page. Your kid doesn't need an account. See every lesson
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▶ 1:45 tourWhat your kid makes
Your kid ends with a crossword of their own on a puzzle sheet: a themed grid of four or more words that cross through shared letters, numbered start squares, and an across list and a down list of clues. They keep the answer sheet secret, test the puzzle on someone at home, and fix at least one clue after the test.
- Ages
- 6 to 13
- Time
- 4 films, about 3 minutes, then 30–45 minutes of making and solving
- You need
- Graph paper, a pencil and an eraser, a second sheet for the puzzle, someone at home to solve it
- Host
- Tek
The 4 lessons
Lesson 1. How a crossword works
A crossword is a grid where words go across and down and share one letter where they cross. Each word starts on a numbered square, and the clues use the same numbers.
- Pick a theme, like animals, foods, or family jokes
- Write a list of eight words that fit it
- Keep plenty of short words on the list
Where: Paper
Lesson 2. Cross your words
The longest word goes across the middle first, and each new word hooks onto a letter that's already there. Words only touch where they cross.
- Write the longest word across the middle of the graph paper
- Hook each new word through a shared letter
- Swap any word that won't fit for one that does
Where: Paper
Lesson 3. Numbers and clues
Numbers go on every start square, row by row. The puzzle sheet gets only the empty boxes and numbers, and a good clue is fair but tricky.
- Number the start squares row by row, left to right
- Copy the empty boxes and numbers onto a new sheet
- Write an across list and a down list, with one two-meaning clue
Where: Paper
Lesson 4. Test it on someone
A real solver shows which clues work. Too hard gets a hint, too easy gets trickier, and then the solver makes one back.
- Hand the puzzle to someone at home and watch without helping
- Add a hint where they get stuck
- Show the answer sheet, then swap and solve theirs
Where: At home
Take the quiz
Tek asks 3 questions about the films. Get 2 right and you finish the course.
Transcript
Lesson 1: How a crossword works
Today you make a puzzle for your whole family. A crossword!
A crossword is a grid of squares. Some words go across, from left to right. Some go down, from top to bottom.
Where two words cross, they share one letter. Tiger and goat both use this G.
Each word starts on a square with a small number. The clues use the same numbers.
Two across. Big cat with stripes. Five letters. Tiger!
Every crossword starts with a theme. Animals, foods, or things only your family knows.
Your turn. Pick a theme. Then write a list of eight words that fit it. Short words are great!
Lesson 2: Cross your words
Now let's build your grid. You need graph paper and a pencil.
Write your longest word across the middle. One letter in each square. Tiger!
Now find a word that shares a letter. Goat has a G. Write it down, right through the G.
Frog shares the R. Owl shares the O in frog. Each new word hooks onto a word that's already there.
One rule. Words only touch where they cross. If letters bump side by side, move the word.
Some words won't fit anywhere. That's fine! Swap in a new word that shares a letter.
Your turn. On graph paper, cross four or five words from your list. Use a pencil, so you can erase.
Lesson 3: Numbers and clues
Your words are in. Now let's turn them into a puzzle!
Put a number in every square where a word starts. Go row by row, left to right. One, two, three, four.
Then copy just the boxes and numbers onto a new sheet. No letters! Keep your answer sheet secret.
Now write the clues. Across clues in one list, down clues in another, each with its number.
A good clue is fair, but tricky. Too easy: T, I, G. Too hard: an animal. Just right: big cat with stripes.
For a tricky clue, use a word with two meanings. Green jumper. A sweater? Nope. A frog!
Your turn. Number your grid, copy the empty boxes onto a new sheet, and write a clue for every word.
Lesson 4: Test it on someone
Your crossword is ready. Time to test it on a real solver!
Hand it to someone at home, with a pencil and your list of clues. Then just watch. No helping!
Notice where they get stuck. If nobody can solve a clue, it's too hard. Add a little hint.
If they finish super fast, make a clue trickier, or add a longer word.
When they're done, show them your answer sheet. Did the green jumper fool them?
Then swap. Ask them to make a crossword for you. Now you're the solver!
Your turn. Test your crossword on someone at home, and fix one clue. You made a crossword puzzle!
Free guides to practise with
Questions parents ask
How do you make a crossword puzzle with kids?
Start with a theme and a list of eight words. Write the longest word across the middle of graph paper, then hook each new word through a letter it shares. Number the squares where words start, copy only the empty boxes onto a new sheet, and write one clue per word. Four or five crossing words make a good first puzzle.
How do I help my kid write good clues?
Aim for fair but tricky. Spelling out the first letters is too easy, and a single word like "an animal" is too hard. "Big cat with stripes" is about right. Older kids can try a word with two meanings, like "Green jumper" for a frog.
Does my kid need special paper or an app?
No. Graph paper makes the squares easy, but a ruler and plain paper work too. A pencil matters, because words often move while the grid comes together. The films play on this page, and the puzzle happens on paper.