Make My Own Puzzles app for iPhone and iPad


4.9 ( 9559 ratings )
Games Education Puzzle Word
Developer: Jeff Lowry
1.99 USD
Current version: 1.2, last update: 7 years ago
First release : 16 Apr 2012
App size: 8.51 Mb

** Just as a heads up, this app generates word puzzles that are NOT playable in the app. That was never the intention. Rather it generates puzzles that are to print, email, or insert into a document using your own word processor. **

"Creating a puzzle couldn’t be easier...Overall, this universal app is a ton of fun and well worth the price of admission." - AppAdvice.com 

There was a time when I decided that I would like to make my own crossword puzzle from a list of my own words and hints. Just to print and use as a handout in a class. Unfortunately there was no app for that. So now there is! This app is designed to make the process of creating a clean printable word search or crossword as simple as possible. Just give it a title and an author, specify a few other settings, and add your word list. Thats it, youre ready to generate a puzzle. You control the difficulty through your setup. The generated puzzles include a puzzle sheet, a hint sheet, and an answer key. If you have AirPrint set up on you can select the pages to print and print straight off of the device. Or you can email the puzzles and print them off a desktop computer (or send them directly to the recipient). As extra alternatives, puzzles can be exported as JPG or PNG images for use on websites or in your own documents, if your software allows. Please check out the app website for samples of the puzzle outputs.

A couple of things to be aware of...

1) Depending on your device and the size and complexity of the puzzle, it could take some time to make the puzzle and all of the resulting files. Please be patient! If the wheel is spinning and the clock is ticking, then its working.

2) The algorithm for the crossword puzzle generator is thorough! But it also starts randomized. So if it starts with a certain word in a certain location and places other words on that word in certain locations, some of the words may not be fit. Please make sure that youve included words that have a wide enough variety of letters. Should you find a word that you really want in the puzzle is not placed, maybe try a couple more times. If it still cant be placed you may need to add more words to the list to create more placement opportunities. Play around with it and if it can place it, it will.

3) I program as a hobby and English is my native language. You can use the standard English alphabet when creating puzzles as well as these characters: À Á Ì Í Â Ä Ç È É Ê Ë Î Ï Ñ Ô Ø Œ Ù Û Ü Ÿ à Ẽ Õ Ũ Ṽ Ỹ

Problems? I would appreciate a chance to correct it before you leave negative feedback. Or if you just have general feedback or suggestions, please fire me an email. And if you feel generous, I do enjoy reviews!

Pros and cons of Make My Own Puzzles app for iPhone and iPad

Make My Own Puzzles app good for

So many times Ive wished I could make my own word search for an activity; now I can!! Way to go! I made a trial puzzle and emailed it to myself and it worked great! The only suggestion I have is can you add a link at the end that would allow you to start a new puzzle? I had to click back buttons till I got back to the beginning page to start a new puzzle. Thanks!
I was looking for a good crosswords generator since forever, couldnt be happier with my purchase. I would have paid more for it.
Hi, I am a college instructor. I got this app during last summer and I created a few puzzles for my students with this application. I already used the first one last week and my students just loved it. I got so many positive feedback after I shard the results not only from the students but also from my departments colleagues too. If you are in educational industry this can be a great tool to customize your activity. :) Only down point is; you cant drag and drop a word from one puzzle to another, which is a minor thing but its handy. Hope the developer comes up with the solution in coming up-dates. :) overall great app. :D

Some bad moments

Crashing issues resolved. Not sure if it was the app or my iPad, but its working great now. Jeff was very helpful in trying to help resolve the issue. This app will be great for parties, family get-togethers, and teachers.
This app has a specific goal - generating puzzles - and it is excellent. The app is packed with features and options but the author has kept the interface simple and easy to use.
I was searching for a crossword puzzle maker for my Bible class of third, fourth, and fifth graders. I was so happy when I found this one. I am able to make crossword puzzles and word searches. I love the options that are available. I love the hint pages and the answer pages that can be printed. Thank you so much for making this app.
I purchased this app and Im very pleases with it!!! Thank you.
This app is amazing!!! It took me about 15 minutes to create a crossword puzzle for my science project!!!!! If you are contemplating whether to buy or not it is definitely worth the money!! This app is the best of any paid app I have! Worth the money! Quick to load, and super easy to share!!! Buy it now!
This app has been great for making puzzles for class! I love that it creates the puzzle, puzzle with hints and the answer key.