Learn Dutch: Pets – Picture Crossword for Kids

Pictures become Dutch words in this puzzle: your child sees the cats, dogs and rabbits, finds the right word in Dutch, and writes it one letter at a time into the boxes. Because every word is joined to another at a crossing, your child watches each individual letter as they write, practising Dutch spelling in the most natural way. At the same time their Dutch vocabulary grows, since each drawing brings along a new word. It is a puzzle for easy, unhurried thinking, with no pace to keep and nothing to tally. You can print it for free or open it online to play together. When all the boxes are full, your child has not only solved a grid but picked up a handful of fresh Dutch words.

As they solve, your child looks closely: what are the cats, dogs and rabbits called in Dutch? Then each letter travels neatly into its box. Because the Dutch words cross and help one another, the spelling turns exciting and gets practised along the way. Let your child puzzle and explore at their own pace. The loveliest moment is when the last Dutch word fits the grid exactly. Until then your child may think and try as often as they like — here there is neither a clock nor a single right speed to keep. Dutch likes to join small words together, so a single word can grow surprisingly long.

Has your child caught the joy of naming and spelling in Dutch? Then keep going! The crosswords about the hospital things and the ones with pets hold fresh pictures, new Dutch words, and new crossings to puzzle over. And once your child is really in the swing of it, there is a whole free collection built around the pets — free to print or simply to play online. That way learning Dutch stays varied and gives a little fresh pleasure each day, all at your child’s own pace. Have fun discovering, writing, and puzzling together!