Alphabet Challenge Puzzles

 


These fun new puzzles are based on the word game "Categories". Children need to come up with an A-Z based on the theme, and it is often very tricky indeed! Fun for the classroom or home, and perfect to tuck into a handbag or backpack for travel and waiting rooms.

Here are some different ways to play:

As a puzzle just for one:

Challenge yourself to find a word for each letter.

As a classroom or group challenge:

Try to find a word for each letter. Award a small prize or reward for the person who finds the most.

As a game with scoring:

Set a time limit (say 5 minutes) and ask everyone to fill in as many words as they can. For each correct word, score 1 point. For each correct word which no-one else has, score 2 points. For each correct word when no-one else has any word for that particular letter, score 3 points.

As a team challenge:

Put contestants into teams of 3 or 4. If playing with family, mixed age teams are better. Fill in as many words as you can within a time limit (say 5 minutes). Go through the alphabet calling out each team's answer. Only score a point if no-one else has called out the same word.

Adjective Alphabet Challenge

Adjective Alphabet Challenge

Adjectives are words that describe a noun. Can the children think of adjectives for each letter of the alphabet? This challenge helps with literacy but is fun too...

Advent Alphabet Challenge

Advent Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, all to do with Advent? Some of the letters might prove a bit of a challenge...

Adverb Alphabet Challenge

Adverb Alphabet Challenge

Help the children understand about and think of some adverbs with the help of our adverb alphabet challenge. Can they find an adverb for each letter of the alphabet?

All About Me Alphabet Challenge

All About Me Alphabet Challenge

This alphabet challenge is a great ice-breaker for the start of a new school year. Can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet that says something about you? Maybe something you enjoy doing or that you're good at?

Animal Alphabet Challenge

Animal Alphabet Challenge

Is there an animal for each letter of the alphabet? Possibly! See how many the kids can do with our animal alphabet challenge puzzle.

Aquarium Alphabet Challenge

Aquarium Alphabet Challenge

If you have your own aquarium - or have ever visited a big one - you know that they can full of interesting fish and objects and acquarium paraphernalia. But can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet?

Australia Alphabet Challenge

Australia Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, all to do with Australia? Some of the letters might prove a bit of a challenge...

Autumn Alphabet Challenge

Autumn Alphabet Challenge

Mark the turn of the season by trying this very challenging challenge! Try to find an autumnal word for each letter of the alphabet...if you can!

Baby Alphabet Challenge

Baby Alphabet Challenge

When there is a new baby on the way, this baby alphabet challenge might make for a fun diversion! Try to come up with a word beginning with each - and every - letter of the alphabet, all with a baby theme.

Baking Alphabet Challenge

Baking Alphabet Challenge

Can the kids think of a baking-themed word for each letter of the alphabet? Great fun as a solo activity, or in a family group or classroom.

Bird Alphabet Challenge

Bird Alphabet Challenge

Try to think of a bird beginning with each letter of the alphabet, working your way through all 26 letters of the alphabet... if it is possible!

Birthday Alphabet Challenge

Birthday Alphabet Challenge

This birthday alphabet challenge could make a good after-tea game, played individually or in groups - see the different ways you can play the game here. Or you could tuck one into each going-away bag to keep the children busy when they get home!

Biscuits Alphabet Challenge

Biscuits Alphabet Challenge

You might have to think laterally to come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet - all to do with biscuits! I can think of lots beginning with C - chocolate chip, cookie, crumble, crunchy - but not many beginning with Z!

Book Alphabet Challenge

Book Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a book themed word for each letter of the alphabet? Here's our book alphabet challenge page to print and distribute.

Boys Names Alphabet Challenge

Boys Names Alphabet Challenge

This fun puzzle challenges the kids to come uip with a boys name for each -and every - letter of the alphabet. Actually, it's not the most difficult of our alphabet challenges!

Camping Alphabet Challenge

Camping Alphabet Challenge

Here's a great printable puzzle for summer camps and scout camps and family camping trips! How many words can you come up, starting with each letter of the alphabet?

Car Journey Alphabet

Car Journey Alphabet

This game has almost infinite variations and is suitable for all ages of kids, helping to keep them happy on a long car journey. You will find a printable available to Activity Village Members below, but you just need a paper and pencil to play.

Cat Alphabet Challenge

Cat Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenge for cat owners or lovers - come up with a cat-related word for every letter of the alphabet!

Christmas Alphabet Challenge

Christmas Alphabet Challenge

Our Christmas Alphabet Challenge is very versatile. It works equally well as a puzzle or a game, for an individual or a whole class. Scroll down for our printable score sheet.

As a puzzle just for one:

Challenge yourself to find a Christmas word for each letter

Cities Alphabet Challenge

Cities Alphabet Challenge

Can the kids come up with a city for each letter of the alphabet? It's a great way to get the brain working - and maybe even encourage a little atlas work!

Clothes Alphabet Challenge

Clothes Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge that's great as a solo activity, or fun to try in a classroom or group. Can the kids find a clothing word for each letter of the alphabet?

Colour Alphabet Challenge

Colour Alphabet Challenge

How many colours do you think you know? This alphabet challenge asks you to find one for each letter of the alphabet - some letters may be quite hard! We've got US and UK versions of this challenge to choose from below. 

Countries Alphabet Challenge

Countries Alphabet Challenge

This was the word game that we used to play as children around the dinner table - and we got very good at it! How many countries can YOU come up with, and who is going to be the one to get stuck?

Cricket Alphabet Challenge

Cricket Alphabet Challenge

Come up with a cricket-themed word for each letter of the alphabet to complete this cricket alphabet challange! My entry for letter S is "Silly Mid Off".

Cricket World Cup Alphabet Challenge

Cricket World Cup Alphabet Challenge

Here's a real challenge to keep you busy during the Cricket World Cup! Can you find a Cricket World Cup themed word for each letter of the alphabet? You could start with the countries taking part, then think about the cities and grounds, and perhaps then move onto the squads...

Describing Dad Alphabet Challenge

Describing Dad Alphabet Challenge

Alphabet challenges are fun at the best of times, but I think that coming up with an alphabet of words that describe dad could end up with lots of giggles! Why not get the whole family (except dad) together to complete the challenge, then present it to him on his birthday or Father's Day?

Describing Grandfather Alphabet Challenge

Describing Grandfather Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge that would be great to get all the family involved in on a birthday, Grandparents' Day or at any family together. Can you think of an alphabet of words to describe grandad? A great activity that should get everyone thinking and probably laughing too! 

Describing Grandmother Alphabet Challenge

Describing Grandmother Alphabet Challenge

Alphabet challenges are always great fun for whole families to get involved in, and this alphabet challenge to find words describing Grandmother would be perfect on Grandparents' Day or at any other family occasion!

Describing Me Alphabet Challenge

Describing Me Alphabet Challenge

Ask the children to think of adjectives for each letter of the alphabet to describe themselves. It's a fun way to learn about adjectives, and might also make a fun classroom or family game if you ask everyone to have a go!

Describing Mom Alphabet Challenge

Describing Mom Alphabet Challenge

Here's an alphabet challenge which might stretch the kids a little - and an adult or two, too! Can you think of a word for each letter of the alphabet that you could use to describe Mom? Zany, perhaps?

Describing Mum Alphabet Challenge

Describing Mum Alphabet Challenge

This alphabet challenge puzzle is designed to get everyone thinking! What words beginning with letters X and Z can be associated with Mum?

Describing My Sister Alphabet Challenge

Describing My Sister Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge that's great for in the car, on holiday or at family parties! Can you find an adjective for each letter of the alphabet that describes your sister? 

Dinosaur Alphabet Challenge

Dinosaur Alphabet Challenge

This dinosaur alphabet challenge could be quite tricky, but there are dinosaurs that begin with most letters of the alphabet, even X and Z! 

Dinosaur Alphabet Challenge

Dinosaur Alphabet Challenge

Here's a perfect challenge for kids who love dinosaurs. Can they find a dinosaur themed word for each letter of the alphabet? You could try this challenge as a competition against your friends too...

Dog Alphabet Challenge

Dog Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge for those who love dogs! Can the kids come up with a word related to dogs for each letter of the alphabet?

Dr Seuss Alphabet Challenge

Dr Seuss Alphabet Challenge

Can the kids come up with a word related to Dr Seuss's books for each letter of the alphabet? This is a fun activity for World Book day, or anytime...

Earth Day Alphabet Challenge

Earth Day Alphabet Challenge

Here's something challenging but fun to try for Earth Day. Try to think of an Earth Day themed word for each letter of the alphabet!

England Alphabet Challenge

England Alphabet Challenge

Here's a real challenge! Can you think of a word beginning with each of the letters of the alphabet, all the way through from A to Z, with England as their theme?

Enid Blyton Alphabet Challenge

Enid Blyton Alphabet Challenge

This challenge is great if you're learning about Enid Blyton and her books as a topic, but it's fun to try anytime. Try and think of a word related to Enid Blyton's books for each letter of the alphabet. You could try setting a timer and play against friends or classmates...

Euro 2020 Alphabet Challenge

Euro 2020 Alphabet Challenge

Can you find a word for each letter of the alphabet, linked to Euro 2020? I expect there might be a footballer's surname or two for some of the harder letters!

Family Alphabet Challenge

Family Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a family word for each letter of the alphabet? You could use general family words or complete the puzzle based on your own family...

Famous People Alphabet Challenge

Famous People Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a famous person for each letter of the alphabet? That's the challenge set by this puzzle, which can be used with all ages. Mixed age groups work really well too!

Famous People Alphabet Challenge

Famous People Alphabet Challenge

This famous people alphabet challenge might be fun playing with family or friends, in mixed-age teams? Set a time limit and see if your team can come up with a famous person for each letter of the alphabet! Also works well as a solo challenge.

Farm Alphabet Challenge

Farm Alphabet Challenge

If you think of all the animals you might find on a farm, and the crops, and the equipment, and the people and buildings, can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet? That's what this puzzle asks the kids to do!

Feelings And Emotions Alphabet Challenge

Feelings And Emotions Alphabet Challenge

This alphabet challenge might be useful to help children think and talk about their emotions. Is there a feeling or emotion word they can think of for each letter of the alphabet? 

Flower Alphabet Challenge

Flower Alphabet Challenge

Can there possibly be a different flower beginning with every letter of the alphabet? I can think of quite a few but was stumped by X and Z... until a member emailed me to remind me of zinnias!

Food Alphabet Challenge

Food Alphabet Challenge

See if you can think of a different type of food for each letter of the alphabet - a real challenge to keep the kids busy!

Football Alphabet Challenge

Football Alphabet Challenge

Here's an alphabet challenge to test all football fans! Can you fill in a name, item or other football-related word for each letter of the alphabet?

Friendship Alphabet Challenge

Friendship Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun puzzle or challenge for a group of friends to try - perfect for Brownies or Cubs, perhaps? Can the kids come up with one word for every word of the alphabet?

Girls Names Alphabet Challenge

Girls Names Alphabet Challenge

There are so many girls names in the world, but even so this girls names alphabet challenge will keep the kids busy for a while. How many girls names do you know that begin with the letter X?

Grandparents Day Alphabet Challenge

Grandparents Day Alphabet Challenge

This Grandparents' Day alphabet challenge is a great family activity! Try to come up with a Grandparents' Day themed word for every letter of the alphabet. 

Halloween alphabet challenge

Halloween Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenging idea for Halloween! Try to think of a Halloween word for each letter of the alphabet. W is easy at least!

Harry Potter Alphabet Challenge

Harry Potter Alphabet Challenge

Harry Potter fans will love this alphabet challenge! Can the children come up with a Harry Potter themed word for each letter of the alphabet? Some letters might be tricky...

Horse Alphabet Challenge

Horse Alphabet Challenge

There is a whole vocabulary around horses and their care - but is there a word for every letter of the alphabet? I'm definitely stuck for one beginning with Z...

Human Body Alphabet Challenge

Human Body Alphabet Challenge

This alphabet challenge is great if you're learning about the human body for a science topic - can the children come up with a human body themed word for each letter of the alphabet? 

Library Alphabet Challenge

Library Alphabet Challenge

Coming up with one word for each letter of the alphabet, all to do with the library, isn't going to be easy! Print out our library alphabet challenge and give it a go...

London Alphabet Challenge

London Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, all to do with London? Some of the letters might prove a bit of a challenge...

Mothering Sunday Alphabet Challenge

Mothering Sunday Alphabet Challenge

Here is a tricky challenge for children learning about Mothering Sunday - perhaps at Sunday School. Can they come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, relating to Mothering Sunday and everything it represents?

Narnia Alphabet Challenge

Narnia Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge for kids that love the Chronicles of Narnia. Can they find a Narnia themed word for each letter of the alphabet? Fun as a solo activity or as a classroom challenge. 

New Year Alphabet Challenge

New Year Alphabet Challenge

This fun New Year alphabet challenge is great for keeping kids busy at New Year, and it's great as a group challenge at parties too! Can you come up with a New Year themed word for each letter of the alphabet?

Noun Alphabet Challenge

Noun Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenge that teaches the children about nouns, whilst having fun too. Can the children come up with a noun for each letter of the alphabet? 

Olympic Alphabet Challenge

Olympic Alphabet Challenge

Our alphabet challenge activity for the Olympics really is a challenge! Give one to each child in the classroom, or use this as a group activity in the class or at home. You could race against the clock or just keep coming back when you think of something new!

Pet Animal Alphabet Challenge

Pet Animal Alphabet Challenge

Can you think of a different type of pet or other pet-themed word for each letter of the alphabet? This is one of more tricky alphabet challenges, I think!

Pirate Alphabet Challenge

Pirate Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenge to really get the kids thinking...is there a pirate themed word or phrase for each letter of the alphabet? Some of the letters will be quite tricky!

Roald Dahl Alphabet Challenge

Roald Dahl Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun challenge for the kids, ideal for Roald Dahl day or any other time! Can the kids come up with words related to Roald Dahl's books for each letter of the alphabet? 

School Alphabet Challenge

School Alphabet Challenge

I can think of lots of words that are used in and around school - but I'm not sure I can think of a complete alphabet of words! Can you?

Scotland Alphabet Challenge

Scotland Alphabet Challenge

Can you come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, all to do with Scotland? Some of the letters might be tricky...

Seaside Alphabet Challenge

Seaside Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun puzzle to try by the seaside - or perhaps on the journey to the beach. Try to think up a seaside-y word for each letter of the alphabet.

Space Alphabet Challenge

Space Alphabet Challenge

Challenge the kids to find a word themed around space for every letter of the alphabet! This is one that all ages will enjoy.

Sport Alphabet Challenge

Sport Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun puzzle for sports fans - although even the biggest fans might come unstuck on X, Y and Z! Try to think up a sporty word for each letter of the alphabet...

Spring Alphabet Challenge

Spring Alphabet Challenge

Is there a Spring-like word for each letter of the alphabet? You'll know when you've had a good go at this spring alphabet challenge puzzle!

Summer Alphabet Challenge

Summer Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fun puzzle with a summer theme that will require some big thinking caps to be put on! Can the kids come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet, each with a summer theme?

Sweets and Treats Alphabet Challenge

Sweets and Treats Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenge for the kids - or the adults! Can you come up with a type of sweet / candy or treat food for every letter of the alphabet? Z might be a bit tricky...

Thanksgiving Alphabet Challenge

Thanksgiving Alphabet Challenge

This Thanksgiving alphabet challenge is a great family or classroom activity! Try to come up with a Thanksgiving themed word for every letter of the alphabet.  

Transport Alphabet Challenge

Transport Alphabet Challenge

Here's a fiendishly difficult challenge for the kids! Can they think of a transport-associated word for each letter of the alphabet?

United Kingdom Alphabet Challenge

United Kingdom Alphabet Challenge

Can you think up one word for each letter of the alphabet, all with a United Kingdom theme? Some of the letters are going to be tricky, but E, S and W should be easy...

Valentine's Day Alphabet Challenge

Valentine's Day Alphabet Challenge

Think carefully - this puzzle is a test for adults and children alike! Can you come up with a Valentine's Day themed word for every letter of the alphabet?

Verb Alphabet Challenge

Verb Alphabet Challenge

Here's an alphabet challenge that's great for literacy homework or for a class activity. Can the kids come up with a verb for each letter of the alphabet? 

Wales Alphabet Challenge

Wales Alphabet Challenge

Can you find a Wales themed word for each letter of the alphabet?  You could think about Welsh place names, Welsh food, flowers and so on...

Weather Alphabet Challenge

Weather Alphabet Challenge

Our Weather Alphabet Challenge is very versatile and works well as a puzzle or game for an individual or for a whole class. Can the kids come up with a weather themed word for each letter of the alphabet? 

Wedding Alphabet Challenge

Wedding Alphabet Challenge

This tricky puzzle is a challenge for children and adults alike. Can you come up with a wedding themed word for every letter of the alphabet?

Winter Alphabet Challenge

Winter Alphabet Challenge

This challenge will keep the kids thinking for a while! Try to come up with a word for each letter of the alphabet - all associated with winter. The problem is that we can think of too many S words - snow, snowflake, snowman... and not enough of the others!

Womens World Cup Alphabet Challenge

Womens World Cup Alphabet Challenge

It's nearly time for the Women's World Cup 2019! Try this fun alphabet challenge to get yourself ready to enjoy the action. Can you think of a Women's World Cup themed word for each letter of the alphabet?

World Cup Alphabet Challenge

World Cup Alphabet Challenge

Here's a challenge for World Cup fans - an alphabet callenge! Can you fill in a word or name for every letter of the alphabet? I think with the world's current football players to choose from, this might actually be one of our easier alphabet challenges...

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