Learn Italian: Animals – Picture Crossword for Kids

Look, think in Italian, then write it down — that is the whole idea of this crossword. Each clue carries a drawing, your child recognizes the cats, sheep and hens, and spells the matching Italian 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 Italian word is spelled. Bit by bit their Italian vocabulary grows, and paying close attention to Italian 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 Italian words have come along for the ride.

As they solve, your child looks closely: what are the cats, sheep and hens called in Italian? Then each letter travels neatly into its box. Because the Italian 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 Italian 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. Italian has a musical sound, and many of its everyday words end in a bright -o or -a.

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