RD.COM Knowledge Brain Games
D. J. DeChristopherUpdated: Sep. 30, 2022
We've collected a number of the crossword puzzles that Reader's Digest runs in their large print edition every month for the past few years. Give these printable crossword puzzles a try and then come back to see how many answers you got correct. Bonus, they help keep your brain sharp!
1/61
Snap/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: September 2017
We’ve used the names of Snow White’s diminutive friends as clues in this crossword. How they are defined is up to you to determine. Here’s a tip: If you whistle while you work, solving will go faster.
Download the printable crossword
2/61
© 2017 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: September 2017
3/61
Joe Seer/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: October 2017
A bit of wisdom is threaded through this puzzle, expressed by a multitalented performer with seven Emmys. Can you deduce the identity of this role model, as well as her smart observation?
Download the printable crossword
4/61
© 2017 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: October 2017
5/61
Maria Ivanushkina/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: November 2017
Afghan can refer to a cozy blanket, a native of a certain Asian country, or a silky-haired hunting hound. In this puzzle, we feature five more dog breeds that do double duty.
Download the printable crossword
6/61
© 2017 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: November 2017
7/61
LightField Studios/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: December 2017/January 2018
Every year, the James E. Sullivan Award is presented to the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete. The first honoree was golfer Bobby Jones, in 1930. Can you deduce the identities of five other winners with just the year and the sport as clues?
Download the printable crossword
8/61
© 2017 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: December 2017/January 2018
9/61
Hanasaki/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: February 2018
This puzzle features phrases that begin with the word short. But to make these answers even briefer, we’ve omitted the short. So, for example, in response to the clue “Finalists,” you’d write “list” in the grid (“short list”).
Download the printable crossword
10/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: February 2018
11/61
Maren Winter/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: March 2018
Is there a doctor in the house? This puzzle offers up a healthy dose of physicians and academics from literature, film, and television who use the title “Dr.”
Download the printable crossword
12/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: March 2018
13/61
Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: April 2018
Martha Washington became America’s first “first lady” in 1789, but the title wasn’t widely used to refer to the president’s wife until the late 1800s. We feature the names of five other first ladies in this puzzle.
Download the printable crossword
14/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: April 2018
15/61
Berke/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: May 2018
The Scripps National Spelling Bee takes place every May. We’re featuring seven winning words from past bees. Can you guess these tricky terms from just the definition and the year? Are you smart enough to solve these tricky detective riddles?
Download the printable crossword
16/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: May 2018
17/61
chris melville/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: June 2018
The board game Clue has been part of pop culture for nearly 70 years. It originated in Britain, where it’s called Cluedo. And who can forget the 1985 big screen adaptation, with three different endings? Get ready to play word detective as you ferret out the names of two suspects and three weapons from the original game.
Download the printable crossword
18/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: June 2018
19/61
Bigone/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: July/August 2018
There are seven themed answers in this puzzle—but what is our theme? You’ll need to figure out the first six boldface clues to identify what they have in common. If you like these printable crossword puzzles, you’ll also want to try these hard riddles that will test your smarts.
Download the printable crossword
20/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: July/August 2018
21/61
kathayut kongmanee/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: September 2018
Alfred Hitchcock once said, “Puns are the highest form of literature.” We hope you agree because this puzzle features six of them. The subject is sea life, so if you’re feeling particularly confident, use a pen … just for the halibut.
Download the printable crossword
22/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: September 2018
23/61
AgriTech/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: October 2018
A glass of beer has a head. So does a corporation, a table, a class, and a drum. This puzzle features five answers that use anatomical parts in different contexts. The task is not as tough as nails; in fact, even a solving tenderfoot can tackle it, especially if an experienced solver lends a hand.
Download the printable crossword
24/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: October 2018
25/61
Mundus/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: November 2018
This puzzle focuses on fabrics, twisting familiar phrases into punny new ones. Weave your way through the six themed clues, and see what you think of our material.
Download the printable crossword
26/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: November 2018
27/61
WilliamHarris97/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: December 2018/January 2019
This puzzle features mash-ups of famous monikers. (For example: rock singer Axl + former president George = ROSEBUSH.) All the themed answers have one additional thing in common, which you’ll discover as you solve.These brain games will boost your brain power.
Download the printable crossword
28/61
© 2018 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: December 2018/January 2019
29/61
Robsonphoto/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: February 2019
This puzzle features clues containing winter itself. Though the weather outside might be frightful, we hope solving this puzzle is delightful.
Download the printable crossword
30/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: February 2019
31/61
pongpinun traisrisilp/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: March 2019
Will this puzzle leave you beaming? We certainly hope so. Each of our five themed clues contains a different light source. So when you get a bright idea, place the correct letters in the grid.
Download the printable crossword
32/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: March 2019
33/61
son Photo/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: April 2019
Every decade seems to bring a new batch of resourceful detectives to the small screen. We’ve loaded this puzzle with a septet of shrewd mystery solvers.Can you ferret them out?
Download the printable crossword
34/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: April 2019
35/61
Hafiez Razali/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: May 2019
The five themed entries in this puzzle are as different as can be, but they have one thing in common. Can you catch it? Here’s a clue: The trait is in the words themselves, not their meanings.If these printable crossword puzzles aren’t enough of a challenge for you, try these word puzzles that will leave you stumped.
Download the printable crossword
36/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: May 2019
37/61
Rodrigo S Coelho/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: June 2019
Are you ready to hit the books? In this puzzle, we’ve abridged the names of five literary classics. For example, you might encounter a Dickens novel about working out, Great Pecs, or that Fitzgerald classic about group therapy, The Great Gab. (Note that no letters are rearranged—only removed.)
Download the printable crossword
38/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: June 2019
39/61
Nick Beer/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: July/August 2019
The six themed clues in this puzzle are common expressions, and the answers have one additional thing in common: Where they fall in the grid provides an extra hint.
Download the printable crossword
40/61
© 2019 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: July/August 2019
41/61
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: September 2019
This month’s puzzle features a piquant quote from comedian and actor Lily Tomlin, split into four answers. Can you fill in her witty remark?
Download the printable crossword
42/61
© 2019 BY TRUSTED MEDIA BRANDS, INC.
Printable Crossword Answer: September 2019
43/61
Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: October 2019
Many celebrities and fictional characters share their names with U.S. states—think playwright Tennessee William’s and Scarface’s Tony Montana, for example. This month’s puzzle highlights five more notable namesakes.
Download the printable crossword
44/61
© 2019 BY TRUSTED MEDIA BRANDS, INC.
Printable Crossword Answer: October 2019
45/61
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: November 2019
Did you know that only male turkeys gobble? Or that George H.W. Bush was the first POTUS to formally pardon a turkey? Or that the first Thanksgiving was actually a three-day celebration? Our puzzle features five more Turkey Day tidbits.
Download the printable crossword
46/61
© 2019 BY TRUSTED MEDIA BRANDS, INC.
Printable Crossword Answer: November 2019
47/61
fizkes/Shutterstock
Printable Crossword Puzzle: December 2019/January 2020
This month’s crossword includes seven clever coinages from writer Bill Bouldin. Here are just one of his dictionary wannabes: A “cellfish” is someone who talks on the phone and ignores in-person companions. Can you figure out the rest?
Download the printable crossword
48/61
© 2017 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: December 2019/January 2020
49/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: February 2020
This month’s puzzle features four answers in which the second word is an anagram of the first. Here’s a hint to get you started: In our experience, anyone who likes to solve loves anagrams. Enjoy!
Download the printable crossword
50/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc
Printable Crossword Answer: February 2020
51/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: March 2020
The sky’s the limit in this month’s puzzle—it features five high-flying answers related to the firmament above. We know you’ll rise to the occasion.
Download the printable crossword
52/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: March 2020
53/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: April 2020
Paris is known as the City of Light, and Venice is called the Bride of the Sea. You’ll find five other cities with nicknames in this month’s puzzle, so grab your pencil and get ready for a world tour.
Download the printable crossword
54/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: April 2020
Also, try to solve these logic puzzles that will keep you guessing.
55/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: May 2020
The idea of separation figures prominently in some popular phrases—”trial separation,” “the great divide,” “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and so on. This month’s puzzle features five phrases riffing on the concept. Give yourself a little space, life your writing tool of choice, and proceed to solve.
Download the printable crossword
56/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: May 2020
57/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: June 2020
You’ve probably seen your fair share of action-packed blockbusters in the warmer months, but summer movies can also be family comedies, coming-of-age stories, or nostalgic films. So grab some popcorn (plus your pencil) and find the four famous summertime flicks in this month’s puzzle.
Download the printable crossword
58/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: June 2020
59/61
Printable Crossword Puzzle: July/August 2020
Only a small number of actors have won the thespian equivalent of the Triple Crown—an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar. This group includes Viola Davis, Jessica Lange, and Jeremy Irons, to name a few. You’ll find five more members of this select society in our puzzle—and you get one title for each as a hint.
Download the printable crossword
60/61
© 2020 by Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Printable Crossword Answer: July/August 2020
Now that you’re a master of words after solving these printable crossword puzzles, see how good your artistic eye is and try to spot the difference in these pictures.
61/61
Get a crossword every month
Subscribe to the large print edition of Reader’s Digest to enjoy a new crossword in the magazine every month.
Originally Published: September 08, 2020
FAQs
What crossword puzzles are good for the brain? ›
A study published in NEJM Evidence found that people with mild memory problems who did web-based crossword puzzles showed improvement in cognition and experienced less brain shrinkage, compared to those who played web-based cognitive games.
Where can I download crosswords for free? ›BestCrosswords.com is the largest supplier of free crossword puzzles on the web, publishing 15 grids daily from an archive of more 100,000. You can play in your web browser, smartphone, tablet or print in high resolution. No registration required.
Are crosswords good for ADHD? ›Crossword Puzzles and Picture Puzzles: It sounds simple, but these are great tools for kids with ADHD.
What kinds of puzzles improve people's intelligence? ›Studies have shown that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The act of putting the pieces of a puzzle together requires concentration and improves short-term memory and problem solving.
Do crosswords help prevent dementia? ›Now, a study published in NEJM Evidence has found that regularly attempting a crossword may help slow decline in some people with mild cognitive impairment, an early stage of faltering memory that can sometimes progress to dementia.
Where can I print crossword puzzles? ›Not only are printable crossword puzzles free on freedailycrosswords.com, a player can also customize their puzzles to whatever suits their mood.
How to get nytimes crossword for free? ›The New York Times Crossword Puzzle can be played at nytimes.com/games, on the The New York Times Crossword app (iOS and Android), and on The New York Times News app (iOS and Android).
Is there a free crossword puzzle app? ›On Google Android, it's called Crossword Puzzle Free. Hop over to an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, and you've got Crossword Puzzle Redstone. Both names are accurate, since it is indeed a free app published by Redstone Games. Enjoy free packs of crossword puzzles every week.
What kind of puzzles help with memory? ›- Crossword puzzles. Crosswords are one of the most classic brain training games. ...
- Chess. The game of chess was designed to be a mentally intensive and intellectually challenging game. ...
- Jigsaw puzzles. ...
- Rebus puzzles. ...
- Sudoku. ...
- Concentration. ...
- Games that require multi-tasking.
Stressors in life can vary in their source, but word puzzles (including crosswords) can be a way to relieve stress by offering a valuable way to relax. By taking little breaks absorbed in completing your daily puzzle, it can help you to feel happier and calmer.
Are there benefits to doing crossword puzzles? ›
Crossword puzzles provide a way for you to turn off the noise in your head and truly relax. By focusing on the clues and concentrating on the puzzle at hand, you can relax and enjoy a little break away from “the real world.” Studies have shown that crossword puzzles can help us feel calmer and happier.
Can doing crossword puzzles improve the memories of the elderly? ›A new study by researchers from Columbia University and Duke University published in the NEJM Evidence(link is external and opens in a new window) shows that doing crossword puzzles has an advantage over computer video games for memory functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.