Thanksgiving Crossword — Free Printable
Twelve Thanksgiving answers in a friendly criss-cross puzzle, with big squares and clear, plain clues. The grid prints on page 1, the clues on page 2 in large type, and the answer key on page 3. Show the word bank for an easier puzzle.
Thanksgiving Crossword
Solve the clues on page 2 and write the answers in the squares. Every answer is about Thanksgiving.
Clues
Across
- 1Butternut or acorn vegetable (6)
- 3Season also called fall (6)
- 6Eternally ___ (deeply appreciative) (8)
- 8Mashed or sweet side dishes (8)
- 9Mayflower passenger who settled at Plymouth (7)
- 10Brown sauce made from pan drippings (5)
- 11They turn red and gold before falling (6)
Down
- 2Gathering of the fall crops (7)
- 4Large, festive meal (5)
- 5Grace said before the meal (8)
- 7Roast bird carved at the holiday meal (6)
- 8Festive march with giant balloons and floats (6)
Answer key
Thanksgiving Crossword
Across
- 1SQUASH
- 3AUTUMN
- 6GRATEFUL
- 8POTATOES
- 9PILGRIM
- 10GRAVY
- 11LEAVES
Down
- 2HARVEST
- 4FEAST
- 5BLESSING
- 7TURKEY
- 8PARADE
How to solve a crossword
Each clue has a number that matches a numbered square in the grid. Across answers read from left to right, and Down answers from top to bottom. Where two answers cross, they share a letter.
- Start with the clues you're sure of. Every answer is about Thanksgiving, so the easy ones come quickly. Write them in first.
- Use the letter count. The number after each clue tells you how many letters the answer has, and it must fill its squares exactly.
- Let the crossings help. Each answer you write gives you letters in the answers that cross it. A word with two or three letters already in place is often easy to guess.
- Write lightly. A pencil and eraser make it easy to change your mind.
- Stuck? Show the word bank. It lists all twelve answers in alphabetical order on the clues page, which makes the puzzle a gentle matching game. It's a good way to start a group session.
Printing tips
- Use Letter paper (8.5 × 11 in). The grid prints on page 1, the clues on page 2 and the answers on page 3.
- Don't want the answers? In the print window, choose to print pages 1 to 2 only.
- Print on one side of the paper, so you can lay the grid and the clues side by side.
- To keep a copy, pick "Save as PDF" as the printer.
- Want another puzzle on the same theme? Tap "Another Thanksgiving crossword" for a new set of words.
- Free to print and copy for home, classroom and care-home use.
For a different kind of puzzle on the same theme, print our Thanksgiving word search or Thanksgiving word scramble. Or print all three in one go with our Thanksgiving puzzle pack.