Learn Finnish: Christmas – Picture Crossword for Kids

Look, think in Finnish, then write it down — that is the whole idea of this crossword. Each clue carries a drawing, your child recognizes the trees, baubles and stockings, and spells the matching Finnish word into the boxes. Because the words overlap at their crossings, your child checks their own work as they go: if a shared letter does not fit, it is worth another glance at how the Finnish word is spelled. Bit by bit their Finnish vocabulary grows, and paying close attention to Finnish spelling becomes a quiet habit. It is a puzzle made for discovering, with no pressure at all — picture by picture, word by word, until the grid is complete and a few new Finnish words have come along for the ride.

As they solve, your child looks closely: what are the trees, baubles and stockings called in Finnish? Then each letter travels neatly into its box. Because the Finnish 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 Finnish 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. Finnish builds long words by clicking small pieces together, a bit like adding cars to a train.

Has your child caught the joy of naming and spelling in Finnish? Then keep going! The crosswords about the household things and the ones with body parts hold fresh pictures, new Finnish 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 Christmas things — free to print or simply to play online. That way learning Finnish stays varied and gives a little fresh pleasure each day, all at your child’s own pace. Have fun discovering, writing, and puzzling together!