Veterans Day Crossword Puzzle (free printable)
A free Veterans Day crossword with thirteen words and clues for grades 4 to 8: flag, salute, medal, bugle, poppy, Armistice and more, with an answer key.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheets print.
All 13 words are in the crossword (15 × 10 squares).
About this set
Thirteen words for November 11, with clues that define each one in a sentence so students recall what they know: the flag and the salute, the medal and the bugle, the poppy that became a symbol of remembrance, the Army and the Navy, and the values the day honors (courage, honor). Armistice is the history word, the name the holiday had until 1954. The clues are plain and respectful and name no battles or conflicts. It works as a quiet review after a short read-aloud, as a station during a school assembly week, or as a take-home task for students to do with a family member who served.
Grades: 4th to 8th grade. Best in: November.
The words and clues
- Veteran :
- A person who served in the armed forces in the past
- Flag :
- The red, white and blue banner that flies over schools and parades
- Salute :
- A respectful greeting made by raising the right hand to the forehead
- Medal :
- A metal award given for brave or special service
- Bugle :
- A brass horn without keys that plays calls and ceremonial songs
- Poppy :
- A red flower that became a symbol of remembrance more than a century ago
- Army :
- The branch of the military that began in 1775 and serves mainly on land
- Navy :
- The branch of the military whose sailors serve on ships at sea
- Parade :
- Marching bands, flags and floats moving down a street
- Honor :
- To show deep respect and thanks for someone
- Courage :
- Being brave even when something is dangerous or hard
- Armistice :
- The agreement that stopped the fighting on November 11, 1918
- Taps :
- A short, quiet bugle tune played at military ceremonies
How to use it: five ideas
- After the read-aloud: use the crossword as an exit task, and have each student explain one answer to a partner.
- Take-home: send it home with a note inviting families to talk about the words, and let students skip anything that is not comfortable.
- Write a clue: students write a clue in their own words for “Navy” or “Honor” and trade with a neighbor.
- Vocabulary: students underline the clue words they do not know first and look them up before solving.
- Assembly week: leave the puzzle and a pencil at the library table for early finishers.
Related
Questions
Are the clues accurate?
Yes. The Army began in 1775, Veterans Day is November 11, the holiday was called Armistice Day until 1954, and the red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after a 1915 poem. If you change a clue, check the fact first.
Can I use it with younger students?
Fourth grade can solve it with the word bank on and a partner. For second and third grade, the Veterans Day bingo cards with a caller list are an easier fit.
Can I change the words and clues?
Yes. Each of the 13 lines is a word, a colon and its clue. Edit any of them, and the crossword is rebuilt with new numbers.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Press Print and choose “Save as PDF” as the printer. The puzzle is page one and the answer key is page two.
How do I get a different layout?
Press “Make another”. The same words and clues are placed in a new arrangement, so each table can have its own puzzle.
Nothing you do here is sent to us. Your edits stay in this browser. No sign-in, no ads.