World's Hardest (Impossible) Puzzles

The reason I named these the World's Hardest Puzzles is not because they take an intellectual giant to figure out. Upon close inspection, and after a frustrating amount of time, unsuspecting victims, er, puzzle enthusiasts, will realize that these puzzles can't be solved. Why not? Because I designed them that way! These puzzles make totally cool April 1 (Fool's Day) gags and may be downloaded in PDF format for free personal and classroom use.

Read Terms of Use Before Downloading Puzzles...

Do you have a keen word searching friend or class of students who love word-finding puzzles? Well, give them a copy of my special vegetable or animal-theme word search puzzles and watch how long it takes them to realize they'll never find one word. Keep 'em occupied while you get some quiet time for yourself. Bear in mind, I'm not responsible for what happens when they realize they've been duped!

Download the World's Hardest
"Animals" Word Search Puzzle
Animals Puzzle #12 Word Search (PDF 47KB)

Download the World's Hardest
"Vegetables" Word Search Puzzle
Vegetables Puzzle #19 Word Search (PDF 44KB)

Download the World's Hardest Crossword Puzzle
Arty Crafty Puzzle #8 Crossword (PDF 155KB)
Crossword enthusiasts will approach this seemingly simple puzzle with confidence, only to be dazed and confused within minutes! This gag puzzle was designed with "duel" possible outcomes:

1. The solver will soon realize that the answers that fit into the puzzle squares don't fit the questions, and give up.
   
   
2. The solver will realize that the real answer to the question ahead fits into the squares for the previous question. For example, the answer that fits into the #5 across squares ("crafts") is the true answer for #6 across ("Arts and _____").
   
   Confusing? Absolutely! But to help you along, I've included an answer key along with the puzzle to help you keep things straight. Feel free to use this puzzle for a joke, or an exercise in creative thinking and problem solving!