If you’re looking for a sweet, simple activity to bring a little peace and fun into your home or classroom during December, these free printable Christmas crossword puzzles might be exactly what you need. I love having something low-prep and screen-free on hand, especially when the kids suddenly need a quiet activity or when I’m running around trying to keep the day moving. Crosswords feel just challenging enough to keep kids focused but still comforting and familiar — like a warm mug of cocoa but in puzzle form.

This collection includes three different types of crossword printables, so you can pick the level that fits your group:

• Word Bank Christmas Crossword Set (easy)
• Full-Clue Christmas Crossword Set with Solutions (medium)
• Themed Black-and-White Crossword Set with Solutions (print-friendly for classrooms)

Each type brings its own charm, style, and level of challenge. Whether you’re a mom trying to keep the kids entertained while dinner cooks, a teacher preparing December literacy centers, or someone putting together an activity table at a party, these puzzles slide right in.

Before you scroll down, here’s a quick tip: pair these crosswords with other holiday printables you already use, like Christmas games, Christmas worksheets, a Christmas maze, or a Christmas word search. They make such cute little “puzzle packs” for kids.

Let’s take a closer look at each set so you can easily choose what works for your home, classroom, or gathering.

Word Bank Christmas Crosswords (Easy + Beginner-Friendly)

If you’re working with younger kids or early readers, this first set is absolutely perfect. These puzzles include a clear word bank right on the page, so kids don’t feel lost. Everything is simple, cheerful, and visually friendly — big boxes, cute illustrations, and clues that make kids feel like, “Hey, I can totally do this.”

This set is amazing for:

• Kindergarten and early elementary
• Early finishers
• Calm morning work
• After-school wind-down
• Quiet time during the holiday rush

Since each crossword includes its own word bank, you don’t need solution pages for this set. Kids can match the picture to the correct word and fill in the puzzle without frustration. This makes it great for independent work or a “take-home folder” activity.

These printables are also perfect if you’re putting together a holiday-themed center — pair them with crayons, stickers, and maybe a Christmas word search or Christmas maze to round things out.

Full-Clue Christmas Crosswords + Matching Solutions (Medium Difficulty)

This second batch is great when you want something a little more challenging — nothing too hard, just enough to make older kids think. These pages do not include word banks, so solvers must rely completely on the written clues. It’s a fun step up for kids who already understand how crosswords work.

You can find the solution right here whenever you need it. It makes checking answers quick, whether you’re helping kids in class or letting older ones double-check their work.

This set is perfect for:

• Older elementary kids
• Teens who enjoy puzzles
• Family game nights
• Winter break boredom
• Classroom literacy centers

What I love most is how festive the clues are. Kids get exposed to Christmas vocabulary that feels familiar — like stockings, cocoa, reindeer, wreaths — but they still have to think about how the clues connect.

If you’re setting up a holiday table at a party, these make a great “quiet corner” activity. Add a stack of pencils and a few Christmas games nearby, and you’ve created a mini activity station with almost zero effort.

Themed Christmas Crossword Sets + Solutions (Classroom-Friendly & Ink-Saving)

Now for the big, detailed batch — the themed sets. These are black-and-white, making them easy on the printer and perfect for teachers preparing class copies. Each theme focuses on a specific Christmas category, giving kids a nice mix of vocabulary and reading practice. And since every puzzle in this batch includes a matching solution sheet, you’ll never have to guess if the answer is correct.

Let’s look at each theme more deeply because they all bring something different to your holiday activities.

Christmas Decorations Crossword

This puzzle highlights Christmas décor kids recognize immediately — ornaments, wreaths, stars, lights, and ribbons. It’s great for building descriptive vocabulary and encouraging students to discuss how they decorate at home.

In a classroom, this one fits beautifully before a craft session. Kids solve the puzzle, then create their own decorations, share stories, or even draw a picture of their decorated tree. The vocabulary ties in nicely with art, writing, and holiday reading activities. If you want, you can pair it with Christmas worksheets or a Christmas maze to keep the theme going. Need the answers? You can find the solution right here. It keeps things simple and makes checking a lot faster for everyone.

Christmas Foods Crossword

Kids always respond well to anything involving food, and this puzzle plays right into that. It includes clues about gingerbread, peppermint, pudding, turkey, candy canes, and all the foods that make Christmas feel delicious and cozy.

This crossword is fantastic for:

• December cooking lessons
• Pretend “classroom bakery” play centers
• Holiday party warm-ups
• Chatting about family traditions involving food

It’s also a sweet match with Christmas games that involve taste-testing or food trivia. Just be prepared — someone will ask for cookies while solving this.

Christmas Characters Crossword

Filled with beloved holiday characters — Rudolph, Frosty, Scrooge, elves, and more — this crossword brings out the storytelling side of Christmas. Kids recognize the names instantly, which boosts confidence and makes the activity feel more like play.

This one goes perfectly with Christmas read-alouds or a movie day. You can solve the puzzle before watching a holiday movie, or afterward as a fun way to see what kids remember. If you want to create a literacy bundle, pair this crossword with Christmas worksheets about character traits or story summaries.

Christmas Traditions Crossword

This puzzle digs into the rituals that make Christmas special: wrapping presents, hanging stockings, singing carols, lighting candles, decorating trees, and more. It’s surprisingly meaningful and opens the door for kids to share their own family traditions.

Teachers love it for social studies during December because it blends culture, vocabulary, and holiday storytelling. Kids learn how different homes celebrate, which always leads to interesting discussions. Add a Christmas maze or Christmas word search to round out the activity pack.

Christmas Songs Crossword

Perfect for music lovers, this puzzle pulls clues from well-known Christmas songs and carols. Kids will start humming and guessing titles out loud — and honestly, it makes the whole room feel festive.

Use it during music class, during a Christmas karaoke session, or as a warm-up before a holiday performance. You can also create a fun game by playing short clips of carols and letting kids see which one appears as a clue in their puzzle.

Christmas Around the World Crossword

This one is a treasure. It teaches kids how Christmas looks in different countries — different foods, special customs, unique traditions, and fun facts many kids haven’t heard before.

This crossword fits beautifully into:

• Social studies lessons
• Cultural celebrations
• Geography units
• “Holidays around the world” classroom activities

It’s educational, thoughtful, and fun all at once. If you want to extend the lesson, pair it with simple Christmas worksheets about different countries’ holiday traditions.

Christmas Stories Crossword

Built around beloved holiday tales and movies, this crossword is perfect for reading days. It includes clues from popular stories, helping kids recall characters, settings, and classic holiday themes.

You can use it:

• After reading a Christmas book
• As a wrap-up after a movie
• As part of a December literacy center
• With writing prompts related to the story

Kids don’t even realize they’re practicing comprehension — they think they’re just solving puzzles.

Christmas Fun Crossword

Playful, light, and full of the things kids adore — snowmen, sledding, crafts, games, candy, and all those little holiday joys. This one shines on party days or when everyone needs an easy, happy activity.

It’s especially fun when paired with Christmas games or a Christmas maze for a “Fun Friday” classroom pack. Kids can solve it while waiting their turn in a group activity or between high-energy games.

How to Print These Christmas Crossword Puzzles

Printing these crosswords is super easy, and you don’t need anything fancy. Here’s the simplest way to get the best results at home or in a classroom:

1. Download the PDF file you want to use.
Each crossword opens as a clear, high-quality PDF, so everything stays crisp when you print it.

2. Use standard 8.5 × 11 inch paper.
Regular copy paper works perfectly. If you want them to last longer (or survive a classroom), card stock is a great upgrade.

3. Choose “Fit to Page” or “Actual Size.”
Most printers do well with either, but “Fit to Page” prevents the edges from getting cut off.

4. Print in black-and-white or color — both look great.
The themed set is designed for black-and-white printing, which saves ink if you’re printing for a whole class.

5. For classroom use:
I’d print a few extra copies. There’s always one student who wants a second try… or accidentally decorates theirs with a juice spill.

6. For home use:
If you want to reuse the puzzles year after year, pop them into sheet protectors and let kids use dry-erase markers. It’s such a handy little trick, especially if you’re making a Christmas activity binder.

7. Keep a pencil box nearby.
Kids tend to jump into these quickly, so having pencils or crayons ready makes the whole setup feel intentional and organized.

Printing should feel easy, not stressful — especially during December. Once you have the puzzle in your hands, you’re ready for a cozy activity moment that doesn’t involve screens or noise (a tiny miracle during the holidays).

My Final Thoughts

Christmas crossword puzzles are one of my favorite things to print during the holiday season. They’re easy, quiet, festive, and somehow manage to keep kids focused when nothing else does. Whether you’re printing for a classroom full of excited students or your own kids at home, these crosswords bring just the right mix of fun and learning.

Please remember these printables are for personal and classroom use only — not for resale or commercial distribution.

And if you’re in the mood for even more festive fun, you’re always welcome to explore the rest of the holiday printables here on Mary’s Printables. There’s something cozy and cheerful waiting for you on every page.