word puzzle lunchbox notes: word play and word games on the go

It has been way too long since I’ve created some new lunchbox notes, and the kids were pretty desperate for some new ones.

So I searched through some of my old teaching files to find what I know my students loved–word puzzles.

These are quick, these are cool, and these are puzzles that the kids can share with friends at lunch. The more working on them, the merrier.

And as parents, any way we can get our kids playing with words, it’s a win.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Word Puzzle Lunchbox Notes — Word Play and Word Games on the Go:

The great thing about these–or any of our lunchbox notes, actually–is that you can print them out and take them anywhere.

So whether you’re trying to kill time on the sidelines of a basketball game, in the waiting area of a dance class, or in the doctor’s office, you can use these fun Word Puzzle cards.

Before you introduce them, it may be worthwhile to give your kids a little ‘how-to’. Though our kids are so smart, they may not even need the instructions.

Simply tell them,

Hey guys. These new lunchbox notes will get your brains moving while you eat. Very simply, these word puzzles somehow represent words, phrases, or sayings. That’s it. Just use your heads, look at the way the words are written, the way the words are arranged, and try to figure it out. Here are a few examples. . . (and then go through them).

Show your kids how some of the puzzles work:

And then? Have some fun.

It’s all about doing what we can to raise kids who are word conscious, friends. Playing with words, talking about words,

I simply printed out three copies of the Word Puzzle Lunchbox Notes, and then I cut them apart.

I then stack them so that each day I can quickly grab one from the pile, making sure Maddy, Owen, and Cora each get the same one on the same day. That way, we can talk about it together after school or at dinner.

I write a quick smiley face or ‘xoxo, Mom’ on the bottom or on the back, and we’re good to go.

Each day–when I remember!–I share lunchbox notes on Instagram. I’d love for you to follow and share yours!

Any guesses? We’re playing with words for these new lunchbox notes! Up on the blog today. #lunchboxlove #lunchboxnotes #raiseareader #wordgame #ontheblog

A photo posted by amy mascott (@teachmama1) on Jan 11, 2016 at 6:08am PST

Want the Word Puzzle Lunchbox Notes to use for your crew? Sure you do!

Four pages, totaling 26 word puzzles with room to add your own. Or have your kids create their own. How fun would that be?

Want a few more ways to play with words? 

• Raising word conscious kids
• a word a day: raising word conscious kids
• learning during read-alouds: word consciousness
• Grammar Sharks Cards
• farm full of rich vocabulary words
• oral language development

And don’t forget:

Want a few more lunchbox notes for your kids?

Want a look at all of our lunchbox looooove notes? Here they are:

• School Rules: Super Silly Lunchbox Jokes
• Positive Affirmation lunchbox notes
• Nicer than Necessary lunchbox notes
• Wordless Riddles lunchbox notes
• Halloween Jokes lunchbox notes
• Hidden Pictures lunchbox notes
• Disney Fun Fact lunchbox notes
• Fun Fact lunchbox notes
• Budgie Fun Fact lunchbox notes
• Happy, Happy Day lunchbox notes
• Homemade lunchbox notes
• Parent Notes for lunchbox or anywhere
• Holiday Fun Fact lunchbox notes
• More Holiday lunchbox notes
• Valentine’s Day Knock-Knock joke lunchbox notes
• St. Patty’s Day Joke lunchbox notes
• Springtime lunchbox love notes
• Super-Sweet lunchbox love notes

fyi: feel free to use the affiliate links below to make your kids’ lunches awesome