Download and print this free hippo word search — 15 hidden words about one of Africa’s most surprising animals, packed into a 15×15 grid. It’s a free PDF with the answer key included, sized for standard printer paper and ready for classroom animal units, zoo-trip follow-ups, or any kid who thinks hippos are the best thing at the waterhole.
The word list doubles as a mini science lesson: HERBIVORE, SEMIAQUATIC, and SUBMERGE sneak real vocabulary into the fun, while MUD, TUSK, and HERD keep it friendly for younger solvers. That makes this one a favorite for 3rd through 6th grade — old enough to handle the longer words, young enough to still find hippos hilarious.
The 15 Words in This Puzzle
Every word describes how hippos actually live: they spend their days WALLOWing in the RIVER, come out to do their GRAZING at night, and defend their WATERHOLE with those famous TUSKs — all while being surprisingly POWERFUL swimmers for an animal this MASSIVE. Here’s the full word bank:
- AFRICA
- AQUATIC
- GRAZING
- HERBIVORE
- HERD
- MASSIVE
- MUD
- POWERFUL
- RIVER
- SEMIAQUATIC
- SUBMERGE
- THICKSKIN
- TUSK
- WALLOW
- WATERHOLE
How to Print This Puzzle
Click the puzzle above to open the free PDF, then print it on standard letter or A4 paper. The download includes two pages: the puzzle itself and a full answer key with every word highlighted, so you can check your work (or sneak a peek if one word refuses to be found).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this word search free to print?
Yes — the hippo word search is completely free. Print as many copies as you like for home, classroom, or a science unit on African animals.
Does it come with an answer key?
Yes. The PDF includes the answer key on the second page, with all 15 hidden words highlighted in the grid.
What grade level is this puzzle for?
It fits 3rd through 6th grade best. Words like SEMIAQUATIC and HERBIVORE stretch younger readers, so it works nicely as a vocabulary tie-in for animal and habitat units.
More Free Word Searches
Animal fans have plenty more to hunt: our animal word searches collection has over 140 puzzles, and the science word searches pair well with classroom units. Younger solvers can keep going with our word searches for kids or the 3rd grade collection. Browse everything in our printable word searches library, or build your own with the free word search maker.