A crossword is a grid of interlocking answers entered Across and Down from numbered squares. Each answer has a clue, and the shared letters between answers allow solvers to confirm guesses and make progress through the puzzle.
How to generate a good crossword
Begin with a theme and a clean list of answer words, then write clues that match the knowledge and experience of your intended players. Long and unusual answers are harder to place, so arrange those first and fit shorter words around them.
Aim for one connected grid rather than isolated groups of answers. Avoid excessive unchecked letters, accidental abbreviations, and obscure crossings where a player could not reasonably infer the shared letter. Once the grid is complete, number the starting squares, test every clue against its answer, and ask somebody else to solve it before publishing or printing it.
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For printable word activities, you can also use the worksheet generator.