The six simple machines
Simple machines have helped people lift, move and build for thousands of years, and this puzzle gathers them. You'll be finding the classic six — the LEVER, the PULLEY, the WEDGE, the SCREW, the WHEEL and AXLE, and the INCLINE (or ramp) — the building blocks of every bigger MECHANISM.
Because every new puzzle reshuffles the workshop, no two simple machines word searches are the same. One round a backwards MECHANISM hides in a corner; the next a diagonal FULCRUM appears across the middle.
How they make work easier
Simple machines all do one thing: turn a small EFFORT into a big result, and the words are here. A LEVER balances on a FULCRUM to lift a heavy LOAD, a RAMP reduces the FORCE you need, and a CRANK or WINCH and a HOIST help you raise things up. There's the GEAR and COG that turn together, the SPRING that stores energy, the PIVOT that lets things rotate, the FRICTION to overcome, and the SEESAW every kid knows.
It's a great fit for a science topic on forces and machines. Tracking down M-E-C-H-A-N-I-S-M turns spelling practice into engineering.
How to play
Drag across a word, or click its first and last letter — both work. Each word you spot locks in with its own colour and ticks off the list, so you always know what's left to find.
Want a real challenge? Switch to Medium or Hard for a bigger grid with diagonals and reverse words. Stuck on one? Tap Hint for a nudge, or Solve to reveal them all at once.
Print a simple machines word search pack
Tap Download for a printable PDF of fresh simple machines puzzles, with optional answer keys. Choose how many you want and how many per page — perfect for a science topic, a classroom, or a quiet afternoon.
Teachers love these for science lessons on forces and machines. Add a name-and-date line and you've got ready-to-print worksheets in seconds, free and account-free.
Frequently asked questions
What's in the simple machines word search?
The six simple machines — lever, pulley, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, and the inclined plane — plus terms like fulcrum, load, effort and force. Each puzzle uses a fresh mix.
Is the simple machines word search free to print?
Yes. Play free online or download a printable PDF pack with optional answer keys — no sign-up required.
Is it suitable for kids?
Absolutely. Easy mode keeps the grid small with no diagonals or reverse words, perfect for a science lesson and young learners.