Super Smart Word Searches
How a humble Word Search book became our family’s favourite screen-free game
Why we reached for a puzzle book
Word search books felt like nostalgic rainy-day fillers, yet our lot were drowning in screens.
I caught myself asking, “Could something low-tech bring us together again?”
First impressions – unboxing the fun
A quick Amazon click later and Super Smart Word Searches by Jim Rushby landed on the doormat.
The bright cover promised “Themed discovery puzzles with word definitions for kids and adults”.
Ben tore it open before I’d found the scissors.
Meet the crew
- Sarah (me, mum, 41) – caffeine-powered organiser.
- Mark (dad, 43) – closet word-nerd who claims he’s “not competitive”.
- Olivia (10) – budding linguist, loves correcting my spelling.
- Ben (13) – football-mad, thinks books are “fine… if they’re about football”.
- Granny Joan (68) – crossword queen; never misses Countdown.
Saturday-morning puzzle-off
Kettle on, biscuits out, book on the table.
We folded the spine flat and set a timer for ten minutes.
Olivia shouted the theme – Space Exploration.
Definitions sat neatly opposite the grid, so nobody got stumped for long.
Joan ticked off APOLLO in seconds; Ben found ROVER hidden backwards, bragging rights secured.
Mark tried (and failed) to beat the kids while I refereed with a highlighter.
By round three the timer was forgotten, the teapot empty, and laughter echoing round the kitchen.
What makes these word searches different?
- Definitions on the page – great for quick “What does that mean?” moments.
- 50 themed grids covering loads of subjects – but always a specific theme per puzzle.
- Gentle difficulty curve – puzzles start roomy and ramp up, so everyone might finish one.
- Clear solutions at the back (Granny checked – no cheating, honest!).
Sneaky learning perks (shh – don’t tell the kids)
Boosts vocabulary – new words stick when you’ve just hunted them down.
Trains focus – grids demand patience that video-games rarely do.
Encourages teamwork – shouting clues across the table beats silent scrolling.
Of course, every family is different, but we’ve noticed homework time feels calmer after a quick puzzle session.
Tips for turning word puzzles into bonding time
- Set a short timer so younger players don’t drift.
- Let kids pick the theme – instant buy-in.
- Keep coloured pens handy; first to circle a word chooses the next snack.
- Rotate partners: Adult + child pairs balance the field.
- Celebrate small wins (“You found ORBIT – nice one!”).
FAQs
Q: Are these word search puzzles only for children?
A: Not at all. The mix of easy and trickier grids means adults could find them just as satisfying.
Q: Do I need to explain every definition?
A: The built-in glossary helps, but turning it into a mini-quiz often sparks lively chat.
Q: Will one book last long?
A: We dip in twice a week and still have plenty left after a month, so it might see you through a full school term.
Q: Any mess or prep?
A: Just pens and maybe a brew. No batteries, no chargers.
Word search books gave us the simplest tool to reconnect, and Super Smart Word Searches is now the first thing packed for family trips – proof that word search books can still work their quiet magic.
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