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The Golden State · State 31 of 50

Free California Puzzles for Kids

This free California puzzle pack is a printable PDF with five puzzles about the Golden State: a crossword, a word search, a word fill-in, a word scramble and a cryptogram, with every answer key at the back. It is written for kids in grades 2 to 8 and works for a state report, a social studies unit or a rainy afternoon. Kids learn that Sacramento is the capital, that the motto Eureka means "I have found it," and that California has more national parks than any other state, nine in all. A fact page lists the state bird (the California quail), the state flower (the California poppy) and more. Print it on US Letter paper in color or black and white.

Enter your email once to unlock this PDF and every other state pack. Answer keys included, US Letter paper.

What is in the free California puzzle pack

Thirteen printable pages: a cover, a welcome page with fast facts, five puzzles, a page of true facts, answer keys for every puzzle, and a collect-all-50 checklist.

  1. Puzzle 1 · Crossword

    California Crossword

    12 clues about California

  2. Puzzle 2 · Word Search

    California Places to Explore

    Cities, deserts, mountains and coastline from north to south

  3. Puzzle 3 · Word Fill-In

    California Animals

    Creatures of the coast, the forests and the desert

  4. Puzzle 4 · Word Scramble

    California Fun

    Things to eat, ride and do in the Golden State

  5. Puzzle 5 · Cryptogram

    California Secret Fact

    Crack the code to learn when California became a state

Did you know? 9 facts about California for kids

  • More people live in California than in any other state: about 39.5 million at the 2020 Census.
  • California has nine national parks, more than any other state.
  • Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet, is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states.
  • Badwater Basin in Death Valley sits 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America.
  • The coast redwood is the tallest kind of tree on Earth. The tallest one known is about 380 feet tall.
  • The Gold Rush began after James Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in January 1848.
  • The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opened in 1937.
  • Nearly all of the almonds grown in the United States come from California farms.
  • The state flag shows a grizzly bear, a red star and the words California Republic.

California Super Pack · $1.99

20 more California puzzles, each with its own theme

Finished already? The California Super Pack has 20 more puzzles: Gold Rush miners, giant sequoias, tide pools, desert critters and the coolest state symbols, from a saber-toothed cat to a blue gemstone. Twenty puzzles, one road trip, $1.99.

  • Five word searches, five cryptograms, five word scrambles and five word fill-ins
  • Nothing repeats the free pack
  • An answer key for every puzzle
  • One payment, no subscription; print it for your home or classroom
See a free sample

All 20 puzzles in the California Super Pack

  1. 1California National ParksWord Search
  2. 2California FoodsWord Scramble
  3. 3California Mountains and LakesWord Fill-In
  4. 4California Tall TreesCryptogram
  5. 5California Gold RushWord Search
  6. 6California Land and WeatherWord Scramble
  7. 7California Desert LifeWord Fill-In
  8. 8California Gold FactCryptogram
  9. 9California Ocean LifeWord Search
  10. 10California TechnologyWord Scramble
  11. 11California Forest FriendsWord Fill-In
  12. 12California Hot SpotCryptogram
  13. 13California Cities and TownsWord Search
  14. 14California Road TripWord Scramble
  15. 15California Beach DayWord Fill-In
  16. 16California Bridge FactCryptogram
  17. 17California State SymbolsWord Search
  18. 18California PlantsWord Scramble
  19. 19California FarmsWord Fill-In
  20. 20California People FactCryptogram

California puzzles: frequently asked questions

What is in the free California puzzle pack?
Five printable puzzles about California: a 12-clue crossword, a 15-word search of places to explore, a fill-in of California animals, a word scramble and a cryptogram that hides a true fact. There is also a fast-facts page and a full answer key. It is one free PDF for grades 2 to 8.
What is the capital of California?
Sacramento is the capital of California. It sits where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, not far from Sutter's Mill, where the discovery of gold in 1848 started the California Gold Rush. Los Angeles is the largest city.
What are California's state symbols?
The state bird is the California quail, the state flower is the California poppy and the state tree is the California redwood. The state animal is the California grizzly bear, which also appears on the state flag, and the state gemstone is benitoite, a rare blue gem.
Why is California called the Golden State?
California is called the Golden State because of the Gold Rush that began in 1848, and because of its golden poppies and sunny hills. The nickname became official in 1968. California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850.
Is there a bigger California puzzle pack?
Yes. The California Super Pack is 20 more puzzles for $1.99: five word searches, five cryptograms, five word scrambles and five word fill-ins, each on its own theme, from the Gold Rush to tide pools. None of them repeats the free pack, and every puzzle has an answer key.

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Tour the states in the order they joined the Union, or explore the rest of the West.

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