How to Make Your Own Crossword Puzzle

Newspapers probably would not have been read by some, if it was not for these crisscross alignment of boxes which need to be filled by words. Crosswords it is - bang on! Crosswords are a great way to kill time as well as sharpen your vocabulary skills. For those who indulge in solving crossword would agree with me that it is so much fun solving a crossword! There are many software these days which facilitate making a crossword puzzle. But wouldn't it be great if you could make one yourself and present it to someone who is just looking out for a chance to play with words? Presenting to you, therefore, the method to make your own crossword puzzle!

Making a Crossword Puzzle

Clueless or 'Word'less?
Okay. First things first, decide on the words you want in the crossword. It could be anything from 'Rat' to a 'Aphrodisiac' or 'Xenophobia'. Decide the word and the corresponding clue for it. Determining the words would help you in anticipating the size of the crossword. Or if you decide the size first, then you would need to limit the words. Make a word file of the clues and words.

Word Business
Well, after you do get the words and clues in order, then if you do not want to make a grid and intersect 2 words and overlap the letters, then there are websites where you can log on and get your crossword made. Just specify the formatting style- colors, font and so on and you are done! If you do not want to use these, then the following steps would tell you what to do. This is the easiest way for making crossword puzzles.

'Grid' and Bear It
Create a grid, which will be of equal sized-squares, big enough to accommodate a letter. Have 2 different colors for across and down words. Or you can even take a graph paper. It will definitely have squares big enough to fit letters. This is a very important step regarding how to make your own word search puzzle.

Intersection, The Word
Once you zero in upon the word and clues, look out where can you overlap and intersect them in the maze of across and down. Longer words with multiple intersecting letters makes your work easier.

Grid, Again
The grid is done, the words are decided and intersections are also chalked out. Now what we need to do is to lay out the answers in the grid. Of course, you would need to use vertical and horizontal patterns. See if all the words are fitting snugly with each other in the crossword. If an answer is not overlapping with the other, you might need to add questions with answers that would smoothly go in with the others. Keep it simple and avoid getting too flustered about the design. This is the key to making your own crossword puzzle.

Numbers and Words
Number the words - start with the topmost cell on the left in the grid, as it will be the number 1. The next grid cell which will begin the word will be the number 2. If you want you can also color the extra squares in the grid. This way the person solving the puzzle would know that he or she need not worry about those squares. When you make a crossword puzzle for the first time, keep it simple. Read more on crossword puzzles for kids.

Answers
You also have to give answers at the end, so make sure you give the correct answer corresponding to the correct number. Otherwise it will be a complete mess. Hence, make sure you get the answers and their word grid numbers right.

On the internet you might find variations of crossword puzzle games like math crossword puzzles. Finally, enjoy with words! I hope you get your words' worth while doing this!