How it works
These word search puzzles with hidden messages open on a treasure hunt: 10 words from a list that includes Compass, Pirate and Riddle, in a 10 by 10 grid. Find them all, then read the unused letters row by row.
Read the full guide
How the hidden message works
The words go in first. The squares no word uses take the message, one letter each, left to right and top to bottom, and random letters fill what is left.
Write your own message
Type in the Your hidden message box over the puzzle; only letters go in the grid. The hint under the box counts your letters and the unused squares and, when a perfect fit is close, says how many letters to add. In a perfect fit every unused letter belongs to the message.
- For a treasure hunt, make the message the next clue, such as LOOK UNDER THE SLIDE.
- Stuck on the last word? Guess the message: its letters mark squares that no word can use.
Questions and answers
What is a hidden message word search?
A word search where the letters no word uses are not all random, also called a mystery word search. Read in order, row by row, the spare letters spell a sentence, so finding every word is only half the puzzle.
How long can the hidden message be?
In our tests the opening 10 by 10 grid left 27 to 47 unused squares, so up to 25 letters fit. For more, take a word off the list: each one frees its squares. A longer one is cut, and the hint says by how much.
Can I print the puzzle without giving the message away?
Yes. Press Print or save as PDF: page 1 has the grid, the word list and one blank per letter of the message. The message prints only on the answer key, a separate page. On screen the blanks fill in once every word is found.