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Want to create a professional-looking word search without touching design software or spending hours formatting?
In 2025, Canva has made it ridiculously easy to create custom word search puzzles that are printable, brandable, and ready to go in seconds.

Whether you’re a teacher, digital marketer, realtor, or just looking for a fun activity — this Canva tool does the hard work for you.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Canva Word Search Tutorial:

• How to use the Activities Maker app in Canva
• Instantly generate word search puzzles with custom word lists
• Download your word search with a built-in answer key
• Style your activity with your branding
• Create printable worksheets or lead magnets for your audience

✨ Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Word Search Puzzle in Canva

Here’s how fast and simple it really is:

✅ Step 1: Open Canva and Head to the “Apps” Tab

• Log in to Canva and start with any blank design (A4 recommended for printing)
• Click on the “Apps” tab from the left-hand menu
• Type and select “Activities Maker”

✅ Step 2: Choose “Word Search” Option

Once inside the Activities Maker app:

• Click “Word Search”
• Choose how to input your word list:
  • 📄 Enter manually
  • 📂 Upload a file
  • 🎯 Use Canva’s built-in word list (Animals, Foods, Colors, etc.)

Example Word List (Animals):
Dog, Cat, Bear, Parrot, Turtle, Tiger, Squirrel

✅ Step 3: Customize Puzzle Settings

You can fine-tune your word search with just a few clicks:

• 🎨 Change background or grid color (e.g., yellow)
• 📐 Adjust number of rows or max words
• 🔄 Choose directions: top-to-bottom, diagonal, reverse, etc.

✅ Step 4: Generate the Puzzle Instantly

Click “Generate”, and Canva will instantly create:

• ✅ A clean printable word search grid
• ✅ A word list
• ✅ An answer key (cheat sheet)

✅ Step 5: Design, Download & Use Your Word Search

You can:

• 🖨️ Add a second page for the answer key
• 🎨 Style it with your own background or logo
• 📥 Download as PDF for printing or sharing
• 💼 Use it as a lead magnet, worksheet, or client freebie

💡 Pro Use Cases for Word Search Puzzles in Canva

• 📚 Teachers: Engaging classroom activities
• 💌 Email Marketers: Free downloadable content
• 🏡 Real Estate Agents: Local-themed puzzles for open houses
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents: Boredom busters or travel activities
• 📲 Content Creators: Social media giveaways or community-building tools

🚀 Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a designer or puzzle expert to create a fun and functional word search. With Canva’s Activities Maker app, anyone can build interactive, brandable puzzles in less than 30 seconds.

Whether it’s for fun, education, or marketing — word searches are a smart and simple way to boost engagement and offer value.