"Wuzzles" are a type of word puzzle. A common idiom or phrase is illustrated using words, letters, symbols and/or numbers. They are similar in nature to a rebus puzzle, but do not use pictures. For example, the word "MAN" is placed over the word "BOARD"; the solution is "man overboard." Last year I created tongue twister lunch box notes as a way to insert a little literacy learning at lunch time and while I will be giving those notes to my 6 year old this year who can finally read, I wanted to create something a bit more challenging for my older son. Since we are on a big brain teaser kick around here, the "Wuzzle Lunch Box Notes" were born.
These types of word puzzles ask your child to think outside the box, use their powers of deduction and problem solving as well as use their literacy skills. In addition, they can be a great social tool. Kids can ask their friends for help solving the puzzle. It's a fun ice breaker for the first few weeks of school.
I tried to make puzzles that would be easy enough for kids to solve and that repeated specific problem solving methods so kids could build upon what they learned each time they figured a "wuzzle" out.
Of course, I knew I wanted to share them with you, so I created a 3 page printable. There are 24 wuzzles in all. Feel free to print out the lunch box notes and send them with your child to school.
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You are welcome to print out these notes for your own personal or classroom use. Commercial use is prohibited. None of my printables may be republished, altered or sold in any form. If you wish to share the printable file you must link to this blog page or site, not the pdf file. By clicking on the file link you agree to these terms of service.
Download and print --> Wuzzle Lunch Box Notes
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Shhh! Here are the answers: banana split, in a pickle, tricycle, man overboard, broken heart, 1 in a million, too funny for words, jack in a box, upside down, big mouth, back to back, on the line, read between the lines, stand by me, word for word, touch down, not himself, scrambled eggs, big bird, breakfast in bed, high chair, so long for now, forwards, cross roads
Jeanette Nyberg says
I was just thinking about how excited I am to have a first grader so I can start making little lunchbox drawings again every day. My 12 year old had sort of outgrown them, but I'll stick one of these in her lunch on the first day, because I think she and her friends will have a blast with them. Good one, E.
Corrie says
brilliant!
Sharon says
Where are the answers?
Erica says
Hi Sharon, I just updated the post with the answers at the very bottom under the final photo.
Nicole says
My kids are loving these!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm so glad to hear that!
Kimber Menssen says
What a great idea! I'm stumped on a few. . . do you have the answers. 🙂 Thanks!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Ok, here you go. 🙂
Banana Split, Broken heart, in a pickle, one in a million, tricycle, too funny for words, man overboard, jack in the box, upside down, read between the lines, big mouth, stand by me, back to back (or backwards and forwards), word for word, on the line, touchdown, not himself, high chair, scrambled eggs, so long for now, big bird, forwards, breakfast in bed, crossroads.
Mi1ion says
How do you print these?
Brenda says
Thank you so much for these fun lunch notes! My son is just starting middle school and these will be nice for him to have in his lunchbox. It will remind him that I love him, without embarrassing him in front of his friends.
Erica says
I hope he enjoys them!
Sharlene Habermeyer says
Clever! I've never heard of these--but I love puzzles that build a child's brain and gets them to think--great ideas! Thank you!
Bambi says
Love these, thanks! My son has outgrown 'love notes' but I bet these are cool enough for even big 5th graders! 🙂
Erica says
Hopefully your son will love solving one every day!