Halloween & Thanksgiving Puzzles, Coloring & Worksheets – PDF
Holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving are not just days for fun or celebration—they reflect cultural traditions and values. If you’re learning English, knowing these holidays will help you understand English-speaking countries and join real conversations with confidence.
This page is more than a word list. You’ll find vocabulary tables, printable worksheets, word searches, crosswords, coloring pages, speaking games and answer keys for both holidays. Everything is free, and it works for teachers, parents and self-learners.
Quick Facts: Halloween vs. Thanksgiving
| Aspect | Halloween | Thanksgiving |
|---|---|---|
| Date | October 31 | Fourth Thursday of November (USA); second Monday of October (Canada) |
| Greetings | “Happy Halloween!” | “Happy Thanksgiving!” |
| Food | Candy, caramel apples | Turkey, pumpkin pie, stuffing |
| Activities | Trick-or-treating, costumes, haunted houses | Feasts, parades, football |
| Themes | Scary, fun, imagination | Gratitude, family, harvest |
Halloween Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are words and expressions you’ll often hear around Halloween.
Common Halloween Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Trick or Treat | A phrase children use to ask for candy when knocking on doors | The kids shouted “Trick or treat!” at every house. |
| Costume | Clothes worn to disguise yourself, often as ghosts or characters | My costume this year is a pirate. |
| Jack-o’-lantern | A carved pumpkin with a candle inside, usually with a scary face | We put a jack-o’-lantern on the porch. |
| Haunted House | A house decorated to be scary for fun | I screamed all the way through the haunted house. |
| Witch | A woman believed to have magical powers, often depicted with a hat and broom | The witch in the story had a black cat. |
| Ghost | A spirit of the dead that is said to haunt people or places | He dressed as a ghost with a white sheet. |
| Candy | Sweets given to children during trick-or-treating | I got a lot of candy last night. |
| Skeleton | The bones of a body; a popular Halloween decoration | There’s a plastic skeleton on our door. |
| Spider Web | A net of thin threads made by a spider | The garden was covered in fake spider webs. |
| Cauldron | A large metal pot, often used by witches in stories | The witch stirred her cauldron. |
| Vampire | A fictional creature that drinks blood | The vampire costume came with plastic teeth. |
| Spooky | Slightly scary in a fun way | The forest looks spooky at night. |
Useful Halloween Phrases
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| “Trick or Treat!” | Said by children when they knock on doors |
| “Boo! Did I scare you?” | A playful way to surprise someone |
| “Have a spook-tacular night!” | A fun way to wish someone a great Halloween |
| “Happy Halloween!” | A common greeting on Halloween |
| “What are you dressing up as?” | A common question before a Halloween party |
| “That costume is so creative!” | A compliment for someone’s costume |
Halloween Worksheets and Printable Activities
Try the activities below on screen, or download the printable PDF versions in the download section. Answer keys are hidden under each activity—click to check your work.
Activity 1: Match the Words (Halloween)
Match each word (1–6) with the correct meaning (A–F).
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Jack-o’-lantern | A. A spirit of the dead |
| 2. Ghost | B. A carved pumpkin with a candle inside |
| 3. Cauldron | C. Clothes you wear to look like someone or something else |
| 4. Costume | D. A large pot used by witches in stories |
| 5. Spooky | E. Slightly scary in a fun way |
| 6. Haunted house | F. A house decorated to scare people for fun |
Show answers
1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C, 5-E, 6-F
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks (Halloween)
Word box: costume · ghost · pumpkin · candy · haunted house · witch · mask · spooky
- Children wear a ________ and go from door to door.
- We carved a big ________ for the front porch.
- The old house on the hill looks really ________.
- “Trick or treat!” I got so much ________ this year.
- In the story, a ________ flies on a broom.
- Don’t be afraid! It’s only a ________ in a white sheet.
- I wore a ________ to hide my face.
- We visited a ________ at the fair and screamed the whole time.
Show answers
1. costume · 2. pumpkin · 3. spooky · 4. candy · 5. witch · 6. ghost · 7. mask · 8. haunted house
Activity 3: Unscramble the Halloween Words
- TSOGH
- HTWCI
- YDCAN
- CSTUMEO
- KIPUPMN
- SDIPER
- PRAVMEI
- ELKTONES
Show answers
1. ghost · 2. witch · 3. candy · 4. costume · 5. pumpkin · 6. spider · 7. vampire · 8. skeleton
Activity 4: Halloween Word Search
Find the 12 hidden words. Words can go across, down or diagonally.
Word list: GHOST · WITCH · COSTUME · PUMPKIN · CANDY · SPIDER · SKELETON · VAMPIRE · CAULDRON · SPOOKY · BAT · MASK
Show answer key
Activity 5: Halloween Crossword
Clues
- A spirit of a dead person. (5 letters)
- She flies on a broom. (5 letters)
- You wear it to look like someone else. (7 letters)
- A big orange vegetable you can carve. (7 letters)
- Sweet food you collect when you trick-or-treat. (5 letters)
- An animal with wings that flies at night. (3 letters)
- It has eight legs and makes a web. (6 letters)
- You wear it on your face. (4 letters)
Show answers
1. GHOST · 2. WITCH · 3. COSTUME · 4. PUMPKIN · 5. CANDY · 6. BAT · 7. SPIDER · 8. MASK
Activity 6: Halloween Coloring Pages
Coloring is a great way to review vocabulary. Ask students to color each picture and write the English word underneath. For extra practice, they can say one sentence about each picture: “The ghost is white.” “The pumpkin is orange.”
Activity 7: Vocabulary Game Cards
Print and cut the cards. Use them for memory matching, “guess the word” or charades. Download the cards in the download section.
Thanksgiving Vocabulary and Phrases
Thanksgiving vocabulary focuses on gratitude, family, and traditional foods.
Common Thanksgiving Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | A large bird, traditionally eaten on Thanksgiving | Dad cooked the turkey for five hours. |
| Stuffing | A mixture of bread, herbs, and vegetables used to fill a turkey | Grandma’s stuffing is my favorite dish. |
| Gravy | A sauce made from meat juices, often poured over mashed potatoes | Could you pass the gravy, please? |
| Pumpkin Pie | A dessert made from pumpkin filling and spices | We had pumpkin pie with whipped cream. |
| Cranberry Sauce | A sweet and sour red sauce served with turkey | I put cranberry sauce on my turkey. |
| Feast | A large meal, usually with many dishes | We had a huge feast with our relatives. |
| Parade | A public procession with floats and performances | We watched the parade on TV in the morning. |
| Football Game | A sports event often watched on Thanksgiving | After dinner, we watched a football game. |
| Harvest | The time when farmers gather crops; also the crops themselves | Thanksgiving began as a harvest celebration. |
| Grateful | Feeling thankful for something or someone | I’m grateful for my friends and family. |
| Leftovers | Food that remains after a meal | We ate turkey sandwiches made from leftovers. |
| Cornucopia | A horn-shaped basket full of fruit and vegetables, a symbol of abundance | A cornucopia sat in the middle of the table. |
Useful Thanksgiving Phrases
| Phrase | Usage |
|---|---|
| “Happy Thanksgiving!” | A common greeting on Thanksgiving |
| “What are you thankful for?” | A question asked during Thanksgiving meals |
| “Pass the gravy, please.” | A polite way to ask for food at the table |
| “I’m stuffed!” | A way to say you’ve eaten too much |
| “Can I have seconds?” | Asking for a second helping of food |
| “I’m so grateful to be here with you.” | Expressing thanks to family or friends |
Thanksgiving Worksheets and Printable Activities
Activity 1: Match the Words (Thanksgiving)
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Harvest | A. Food that remains after a meal |
| 2. Grateful | B. A custom that families pass down over many years |
| 3. Leftovers | C. The time when farmers gather their crops |
| 4. Cornucopia | D. Feeling thankful |
| 5. Tradition | E. A horn-shaped basket full of food, a symbol of abundance |
| 6. Cranberry sauce | F. A sweet and sour red sauce eaten with turkey |
Show answers
1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-E, 5-B, 6-F
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks (Thanksgiving)
Word box: turkey · gravy · feast · grateful · leftovers · parade · stuffing · pie
- We ate a huge ________ with fifteen family members.
- Please pass the ________ for my mashed potatoes.
- Dad cooked the ________ for five hours.
- The ________ has giant balloons and marching bands.
- I’m so ________ for my friends and family.
- We made sandwiches with the ________ the next day.
- Grandma’s bread ________ has sage and onions in it.
- Would you like a slice of pumpkin ________?
Show answers
1. feast · 2. gravy · 3. turkey · 4. parade · 5. grateful · 6. leftovers · 7. stuffing · 8. pie
Activity 3: Unscramble the Thanksgiving Words
- YRKTUE
- VYRAG
- EAFST
- TSHVERA
- FULTAREG
- DAPERA
- LIFAYM
Show answers
1. turkey · 2. gravy · 3. feast · 4. harvest · 5. grateful · 6. parade · 7. family
Activity 4: Thanksgiving Word Search
Word list: TURKEY · STUFFING · GRAVY · FEAST · PARADE · HARVEST · FAMILY · GRATEFUL · PIE · CORNUCOPIA · LEFTOVERS · AUTUMN
Show answer key
Activity 5: Thanksgiving Crossword
Clues
- The main dish at a Thanksgiving dinner. (6 letters)
- A brown sauce for potatoes and turkey. (5 letters)
- A very big meal with many dishes. (5 letters)
- A show with floats and bands on the street. (6 letters)
- The time when farmers gather crops. (7 letters)
- The people you share Thanksgiving with. (6 letters)
- Bread, herbs and vegetables cooked inside the turkey. (8 letters)
- A sweet dessert, often made with pumpkin. (3 letters)
Show answers
1. TURKEY · 2. GRAVY · 3. FEAST · 4. PARADE · 5. HARVEST · 6. FAMILY · 7. STUFFING · 8. PIE
Activity 6: Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Ask students to color each picture, write the word under it and make a sentence: “The turkey is brown.” “The pie is delicious.”
Activity 7: “I’m Thankful For…” Worksheet
Complete the sentences with your own ideas.
- I’m thankful for my ________ because ________.
- I’m grateful for ________ every day.
- This year, I’m especially thankful for ________.
- My favorite Thanksgiving food is ________.
Mixed Activity: Halloween or Thanksgiving?
Write H for Halloween or T for Thanksgiving.
| Word | H or T? |
|---|---|
| 1. Candy | ____ |
| 2. Parade | ____ |
| 3. Costume | ____ |
| 4. Gravy | ____ |
| 5. Jack-o’-lantern | ____ |
| 6. Stuffing | ____ |
| 7. Haunted house | ____ |
| 8. Football game | ____ |
| 9. Witch | ____ |
| 10. Cornucopia | ____ |
Show answers
1. H · 2. T · 3. H · 4. T · 5. H · 6. T · 7. H · 8. T · 9. H · 10. T
Speaking and Writing Activities
Speaking Practice (Pairs or Small Groups)
- Interview your partner: “What are you dressing up as for Halloween?” · “What food do you love at big family dinners?” · “What are you thankful for?”
- Charades: Act out a word (witch, ghost, turkey, parade) and let your team guess.
- Describe and guess: “It’s orange. You carve it. It has a candle inside.” (jack-o’-lantern)
- Compare traditions: How do people celebrate harvest or gratitude in your country?
Writing Prompts
- Beginner: Write 5 sentences about your favorite holiday food.
- Intermediate: Describe the best costume you have ever seen or worn.
- Advanced: Write a short paragraph comparing Halloween and Thanksgiving. Which one would you like to celebrate, and why?
How These Holidays Help Your English
- Improve Vocabulary: New words related to cultural traditions.
- Practice Small Talk: Use phrases like “Happy Thanksgiving!” or “Trick or treat!” in conversations.
- Engage in Cultural Conversations: These holidays often come up in small talk with native speakers.
- Learn by Doing: Puzzles, coloring and games help you remember words longer than reading a list.
Quick Quiz
- What do children say when they knock on doors on Halloween?
a) Happy Thanksgiving! b) Trick or treat! c) Pass the gravy! - What is a jack-o’-lantern?
a) A carved pumpkin with a candle b) A type of candy c) A scary movie - Which food is traditional on Thanksgiving?
a) Caramel apples b) Turkey c) Popcorn - What does “I’m stuffed!” mean?
a) I’m hungry. b) I’m cold. c) I’ve eaten too much. - What does “grateful” mean?
a) Thankful b) Scared c) Hungry - Which word describes something slightly scary in a fun way?
a) Spooky b) Sweet c) Grateful
Show answers
1-b · 2-a · 3-b · 4-c · 5-a · 6-a
Free PDF Downloads
Halloween
Halloween Word Search PDF (Extra Extended 39-Word Puzzle with Solution) – download
Answer key for the extra 39-word Halloween puzzle
Halloween Vocabulary Cards PDF – download
Halloween Worksheets Pack PDF (with answer key) – download
Halloween Crossword PDF – download
Halloween Coloring Pages PDF – download
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Worksheets Pack PDF (with answer key) – download
Thanksgiving Word Search PDF – download
Thanksgiving Crossword PDF – download
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages PDF – download
Looking for more seasonal practice? Read our guide to other ways to say commonly used English expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these Halloween and Thanksgiving worksheets free?
Yes. All worksheets, puzzles and coloring pages on this page are free to download and print for personal and classroom use.
What level are these activities for?
The vocabulary and matching activities suit A1–B1 learners. The speaking and writing prompts include options for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.
Can I use these activities with young learners?
Yes. The coloring pages, word searches and game cards work especially well for children. Teachers can read the clues aloud for younger students.
When is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October.
