Hibernation Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)

This Hibernation word search is a fun fall classroom activity for 1st–4th grade students, featuring words like Hibernate, Torpor, Den, and Burrow. Free printable worksheet with answer key included.

Y	O	L	E	V	Z	N	E	D	C	W	H
G	L	J	D	F	R	O	G	L	H	D	Z
R	L	I	H	C	A	J	J	S	I	I	F
O	T	Q	D	I	O	C	Q	H	P	W	Z
U	O	G	B	H	B	U	Q	G	M	G	E
N	R	J	Z	X	I	E	Z	Z	U	E	H
D	P	W	B	R	N	P	R	A	N	P	T
H	O	D	R	U	N	F	C	N	K	J	M
O	R	E	V	R	R	O	B	E	A	R	U
G	L	N	W	J	R	R	W	O	T	T	L
I	T	O	M	N	B	O	O	V	L	Y	E
F	S	B	S	G	Z	K	Z	W	L	X	I

Word List

HIBERNATE: To spend the winter in a deep, sleeplike state with a slow heartbeat and low body temperature.
TORPOR: A short period of deep rest when an animal's body slows down. Some animals go in and out of torpor all winter.
DEN: A sheltered resting place, like a cave or hollow log, where an animal sleeps or raises young.
BURROW: A hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an animal for shelter.
GROUNDHOG: A large rodent, also called a woodchuck, that is a true hibernator. Groundhog Day is February 2.
CHIPMUNK: A small striped rodent that stores seeds in its burrow and wakes up during winter to eat them.
SQUIRREL: A bushy-tailed rodent. Tree squirrels do not hibernate; they bury nuts in fall and dig them up in winter.
BEAR: A large, furry mammal. Black bears can go months in their dens without eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom.
FROG: A small amphibian. The wood frog can freeze almost solid in winter and thaw back to life in spring.
ACORNS: The nuts of oak trees. Squirrels bury thousands of acorns each fall, and the ones they forget can grow into trees.

About Hibernation

When food grows scarce in winter, some animals hibernate. Their heartbeat, breathing, and body temperature drop so they can survive for months on stored fat. Other animals, like squirrels, stay active and rely on food they stored in the fall.

Hibernation Vocabulary

This word search covers how animals get ready for winter: what it means to HIBERNATE, the lighter sleep called TORPOR, winter homes like a DEN or BURROW, and animals like the GROUNDHOG, CHIPMUNK, BEAR, and FROG.

How to Use This Word Search in Class

Use this word search in a seasons unit. Have students sort the animals into three groups: hibernate, migrate, or stay active, and explain one way each animal survives the cold.

Printable Hibernation Word Search Worksheet

Click the print button to print this hibernation word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.

Try the Crossword Version

Hibernation Crossword

More Holidays word searches | Make your own word search

Y	O	L	E	V	Z	N	E	D	C	W	H
G	L	J	D	F	R	O	G	L	H	D	Z
R	L	I	H	C	A	J	J	S	I	I	F
O	T	Q	D	I	O	C	Q	H	P	W	Z
U	O	G	B	H	B	U	Q	G	M	G	E
N	R	J	Z	X	I	E	Z	Z	U	E	H
D	P	W	B	R	N	P	R	A	N	P	T
H	O	D	R	U	N	F	C	N	K	J	M
O	R	E	V	R	R	O	B	E	A	R	U
G	L	N	W	J	R	R	W	O	T	T	L
I	T	O	M	N	B	O	O	V	L	Y	E
F	S	B	S	G	Z	K	Z	W	L	X	I

Y	O	L	E	V	Z	N	E	D	C	W	H
G	L	J	D	F	R	O	G	L	H	D	Z
R	L	I	H	C	A	J	J	S	I	I	F
O	T	Q	D	I	O	C	Q	H	P	W	Z
U	O	G	B	H	B	U	Q	G	M	G	E
N	R	J	Z	X	I	E	Z	Z	U	E	H
D	P	W	B	R	N	P	R	A	N	P	T
H	O	D	R	U	N	F	C	N	K	J	M
O	R	E	V	R	R	O	B	E	A	R	U
G	L	N	W	J	R	R	W	O	T	T	L
I	T	O	M	N	B	O	O	V	L	Y	E
F	S	B	S	G	Z	K	Z	W	L	X	I