Brain Teasers 
Puzzles for Word Play Pros!

Brain teasers puzzles and other word play activities are all a great way to encourage spelling skills vocabulary development. On this page, you'll solve several magic word squares. Warning: Some are quite difficult.

We also have several easier magic word squares that are great for kids of all ages.

What is a magic word square?

In a magic word square, the same words are spelled across and down.

See if you can solve each of these challenging brain teaser puzzles and work some magic of your own!

All 6 Printable Word Puzzles

Answers

Puzzle #1

1.  Use these clues to complete the puzzle. These clues are written in the same order that the words appear in the puzzle.

A. nil
B. not odd
C. genuine
D. lone

Puzzle #2

This time, the clues are not in the correct order. One letter is placed in the puzzle to help you get started. 

A. consumer
B. silent
C. makes a mistake
D. rip

Puzzle #3

Once again, the clues are not in the correct order, and one letter has been placed in the puzzle.

A. questions
B. a muddle
C. group of players
D. otherwise

Puzzle #4

In this magic square, you need to place five-letter words in the puzzle. These clues are in the correct order.

A. slogan
B. edible bulb
C. layers
D. rich cake
E. beginning

Puzzle #5

In this magic square, you need to place five-letter words in the puzzle. These clues are not in order. Two letters have been placed for you.

A. cadence
B. subsequent to
C. criminal burning of property
D. macaroni, spaghetti, etc.
E. stalks of flowers

Puzzle #6

Here’s the final magic square challenge. The clues are not in order.

A. unhappily
B. birds’ homes
C. elf
D. past tense of stand
E. superfluous

You can view all of the answers here.

If you want a tough challenge, try this pair of brain teasers puzzles for adults and upper grade students. You'll have to figure out which words are spelled incorrectly, and use those as hints to uncover hidden messages. Unique, difficult and FUN!

More Brain Teasers Puzzles & Word Play Pages:

Brain Teaser Questions and Answers - Quick word transformations, brainstorming and word play challenges

An Impossible Brain Teaser? - Sure, the directions are tricky, but adults and upper grade students can solve this the first time, right?

Travel Teaser - One of our most difficult logic brain teasers. Can you figure out who went where and when?  

Hidden Words - Put your logic skills to the test on this entertaining word brain teaser.

More Spelling Resources

We have lots of spelling games and worksheets for kids, and plenty of spelling tips and practice for adult learners. Here are just a few of our most popular pages:

Spelling Bee Games - Try one of our new Silent Spelling Bee variations. A fun--and quiet--twist on  a classic game! 

Try our Online Spelling Game for Homonym Practice!   Best for upper elementary, middle school, high school students and even adults. Fun and easy to use.

Printable spelling reproducibles - Mini word search puzzles: Students must spot the correct spelling of troublesome words.

Wacky packages! - Find the spelling errors on these whimsical boxes.  One of our most popular pages!

It Pay$ to $ Spell!: Combine math skills and spelling practice in these fun pages that you can use with any spelling words throughout the year. 

Croaky Meets the Plumber and Extra Letters Worksheets: Students chose the correctly spelled words to complete an interesting story or eliminate extra letters to solve a word puzzle. Based on our sixth grade spelling word list.

Cryptogram Worksheet: Puzzle page for upper grades. Includes instructions so students, parents or teachers can make more cryptogram puzzles with any word list. One of our best types of brain teasers puzzles.

---

101 Word Play Puzzlers   Discover the FUN of letters & words as you solve each unique puzzle. Great vocabulary & spelling practice!

AnyWord Spelling Practice Series   Fun Worksheets, games & prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!