20 Things to Do With a Word Search Book

Bought a word search book and now wondering what else you can actually do with it?

Good news.

You don't have to simply sit down, find the words and close the book.

Although that's perfectly acceptable.

You can turn a word search book for adults into a solo challenge, a game-night activity, a travel companion, a friendship competition or a ridiculously competitive battle over who can find “COFFEE” first.

Because apparently adults will turn absolutely anything into a competition.

Here are 20 things to do with a word search book when you want something fun, simple and screen-free.

(Still choosing a book? Our ultimate guide to adult word search books covers everything you need to know.)

Ready to put these ideas into practice? Browse our word search and word puzzle books for adults.

1. Race Yourself

Pick a puzzle.

Start a timer.

See how quickly you can find every word.

Then try to beat your time.

It's a very simple concept.

And yet suddenly you're staring at a grid like your reputation depends on finding the word “BANANA” in under four minutes.

Beating your time too easily? It might be time to level up. Here's how to choose between easy and challenging word searches.

2. Challenge Your Best Friend

Give yourself and a friend the same word search.

No cheating.

No comparing answers.

No suspiciously looking at their page.

Set a timer and see who finishes first.

Winner gets bragging rights.

Loser gets to complain about the puzzle being unfair.

Obviously.

3. Have a Word Search Night

You don't need an elaborate activity night.

Grab:

• A word search book
• Pens
• Snacks
• Drinks
• Friends
• A table

Done.

You've got yourself a screen-free night.

And unlike scrolling, there's actually an endpoint.

4. Take It on Holiday

Word search books are ridiculously easy to pack.

Throw one into your:

• Carry-on
• Beach bag
• Suitcase
• Backpack
• Road-trip bag

They're especially handy when you want something to do during downtime without needing Wi-Fi.

Airport delay?

Word search.

Hotel room?

Word search.

Waiting for everyone else to get ready?

Definitely word search.

5. Use It on a Road Trip

Obviously, the driver should keep their eyes on the road.

Passengers, however, are free to get involved.

Bring a word search book along for the journey and work through a few puzzles while travelling.

Just don't start shouting:

“I FOUND IT!”

directly into the driver's ear.

6. Make It a Coffee Break Activity

Instead of automatically opening your phone when you sit down with your coffee, grab your word search book.

Ten minutes.

One puzzle.

Coffee.

No notifications.

No endless scrolling.

Just a surprisingly satisfying little activity.

7. Create a Screen-Free Evening

Put the phone somewhere else.

Pick a puzzle.

Make a drink.

Put on some music.

Get comfortable.

That's your evening sorted.

If you want more ideas, check out our guide to screen-free activities for adults.

8. Turn It Into a Competition

This works particularly well with friends.

Choose a puzzle.

Give everyone the same amount of time.

Count how many words each person finds.

Highest score wins.

You can even create ridiculous prizes.

Winner gets:

• First choice of snacks
• Control of the music
• Bragging rights
• Absolutely no useful reward whatsoever

Sometimes that's enough.

9. Make Your Own Rules

Who says you have to follow the traditional format?

Try:

No circling.

You have to cross words out.

Or:

One colour per word.

Or:

You can only use a pen.

Or:

Try finding every word before checking an answer key, if that puzzle includes one.

Check answer availability before relying on it. Not every puzzle or printable pack includes solutions for every activity.

Congratulations.

You've just invented unnecessary rules for something that was already perfectly functional.

Very adult of you.

10. Use It as a Quiet Activity Before Bed

If you want something low-key before bed, a word search can give you something specific to focus on without reaching for another screen.

Keep the book beside your bed.

Pick a puzzle.

Find a few words.

Stop whenever you feel like it.

No achievement badge required.

11. Bring It to Girls' Night

Planning a night in with friends?

Add a word search book to the table.

You can work on puzzles between conversations, snacks and whatever other chaos is happening.

You don't even have to make it the main activity.

Sometimes it's nice having something casual to do with your hands while everyone talks.

12. Make It a Gift

A word search book can make a simple, practical gift for someone who enjoys puzzles.

Make it more personal by pairing it with:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Chocolate
• Snacks
• A notebook
• Pens
• A funny card

Suddenly you've gone from:

“I bought you a book.”

to:

“I put together an entire little activity kit.”

Much better.

For more ideas, browse our Funny Gifts for Adults.

13. Give One to Your Best Friend

You know your best friend.

You know their personality.

You know their sense of humour.

Choose a funny word search or activity book that fits them.

Even better, choose one based around friendship, jokes, chaos or the things you both find hilarious.

Because generic gifts are fine.

But gifts that basically say “this was made for you” are better.

We All Have That One Friend includes word searches, crosswords and Sudoku alongside personality quizzes, roasts and friendship challenges. It is a mixed activity book, not a word-search-only book. Choose it if that activity mix and humour suit your friend.

Or make it personal with a few funny word search ideas for grown-ups built around your friendship.

14. Use It During a No-Phone Challenge

Trying to spend less time on your phone?

Don't just remove the phone.

Replace the habit.

When you reach for your phone out of boredom, grab your word search book instead.

Find one word.

Then another.

You don't have to make it dramatic.

You're simply giving yourself something else to do.

15. Make a Puzzle Basket

Create a little screen-free activity basket.

Add:

• Word search books
• Puzzle books
• Pens
• Notebooks
• Journals
• Cards
• Small games

Keep it somewhere easy to reach.

Then when you're bored, you have an entire collection of things to choose from.

No app required.

No password required.

No charging cable required.

16. Keep One at Work

Not for when you're supposed to be working.

Obviously.

But if you have a proper break, a word search can be an easy way to step away from your screen for a few minutes.

Keep a small activity book in your desk drawer.

Then when lunchtime arrives, you have another option besides eating while staring at your phone.

17. Make It Part of Game Night

Word searches don't have to be the entire event.

Use them as one activity alongside:

• Card games
• Trivia
• Board games
• Quizzes
• Conversation games
• Other puzzles

Create several stations and let everyone move around.

It's simple.

It's cheap.

And it gives people something to do between games.

For a mixed option, Come Play With Me... I've Got Games includes word searches, crosswords, mazes and Sudoku alongside games and quizzes. Check the particular activity instructions before using it for shared play; not every page is a multiplayer game.

Compare its activities, page count and theme with the other titles in our three-book activity comparison.

18. Create a Personal Challenge

If setting a goal sounds fun, choose one that suits you. You might try finding one word, finishing a favourite puzzle or gradually working through a book.

Targets, timers and schedules are optional. You do not need a daily streak or weekly puzzle quota, and stopping partway through is fine.

Tick each completed puzzle off.

There's something satisfying about watching a book slowly become a collection of completed pages.

And yes, you are absolutely allowed to feel smug about it.

19. Share Your Favourite Puzzles

Found one you particularly enjoyed?

Tell someone about it.

Challenge a friend to complete it.

Give the book to someone else when you're finished.

Or keep it and declare:

“This is my puzzle book now.”

Your call.

20. Pair It With Other Adult Activities

This is where a word search book becomes part of something bigger.

Combine it with:

• A writing prompt journal
• Sudoku
• Crosswords
• Mazes
• Quizzes
• Card games
• Creative activities
• Conversation games

Instead of doing one activity for hours, you can switch between several.

That's one reason mixed adult activity books and puzzle books can be so useful for screen-free downtime.

Word Search Books Don't Have to Be Complicated

That's part of the appeal.

You don't need:

• Wi-Fi
• An app
• A subscription
• A tutorial
• A complicated setup
• A giant pile of equipment

You need a book and something to write with.

That's it.

And when you're finished?

You close the book.

No notifications.

No autoplay.

No “Are you still watching?”

Just done.

What Can You Do With a Word Search Book Besides Solving It?

Quite a lot.

You can use one for:

The point isn't to make word searches complicated.

It's to give yourself more ways to enjoy something that's already simple.

Why Word Search Books Make Great Screen-Free Activities

There's a reason word searches remain popular.

They're easy to understand.

You don't need to learn complicated rules.

You can stop whenever you want.

You can pick them up for five minutes or spend an entire afternoon working through puzzles.

And they're completely portable.

That's particularly useful when you're trying to find things to do instead of scrolling.

If you want more ideas for putting the phone down, check out:

25 Things to Do Instead of Scrolling

Looking for More Than Word Searches?

If you like word searches but want more variety, an adult puzzle book may be a better fit.

Look for books containing a mixture of activities such as:

• Word searches
• Sudoku
• Mazes
• Crosswords
• Word games
• Quizzes
• Brain games
• Writing prompts
• Mini games

That way you can choose what suits your mood.

Because sometimes you want a word search.

Sometimes you want Sudoku.

And sometimes you stare at the page for thirty seconds and decide you're actually here for the snacks.

We've all been there.

Explore our Adult Puzzle Books.

The Ink & Attitude Way

At Ink & Attitude, we're big believers in entertainment that doesn't require another screen.

Our adult activity books are made for grown-ups who like their downtime with a little more personality.

Think:

Puzzles.

Games.

Word searches.

Quizzes.

Writing prompts.

Friendship chaos.

Questionable humour.

Basically, something better to do when you've already scrolled through everything twice.

Browse our Funny Adult Activity Books.

Final Thoughts

A word search book can be whatever you want it to be.

A five-minute coffee-break activity.

A travel companion.

A game-night challenge.

A friendship competition.

A funny gift.

A no-phone activity.

Or simply something to do when your brain says:

“I don't want to think too hard, but I also don't want to scroll for another hour.”

Pick a puzzle.

Grab a pen.

Find some words.

And enjoy doing something gloriously low-tech for a change.

No WiFi required.

No algorithm involved.

Just puzzles with bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a word search book?

You can use a word search book for solo puzzles, timed challenges, competitions with friends, travel activities, coffee breaks, screen-free evenings, game nights and casual group activities.

Are word search books good for adults?

Yes. Word search books are simple, portable activities that adults can enjoy alone or with friends. Different puzzle themes and difficulty levels can make them suitable for quick activities or longer puzzle sessions.

Can you play word searches with friends?

Absolutely. Give everyone the same puzzle, set a time limit and compare how many words each person finds. You can also create your own rules or add prizes and other games.

Are word searches good screen-free activities?

Yes. A word search book doesn't require a phone, internet connection or app. It's a straightforward option when you want something to do away from a screen.

What else can you do besides word searches?

Other adult puzzle activities include Sudoku, crosswords, mazes, quizzes, word games, brain games, writing prompts and mixed activity books.

Are word search books good gifts?

They can make fun gifts for adults who enjoy puzzles, games and screen-free activities. Pairing a word search book with snacks, coffee, pens or a funny card can turn it into a simple activity-themed gift.

Looking for your next screen-free activity?

Sign up on our free printable puzzles for adults page to receive a mixed adult-humour puzzle pack, including word searches, by email. Signup also joins our marketing list. Once the email arrives, download the pack and print a puzzle.

For more options, explore our Adult Puzzle Books and Funny Adult Activity Books.

Because being bored doesn't automatically mean you need your phone.