We’ve made an exciting improvement to the Hidden Phrases feature in the Word Search Puzzle Tool, one that makes hidden phrase puzzles more engaging and rewarding for solvers.

How Hidden Phrases Work

The Hidden Phrases feature lets you create word search puzzles with a secret message hidden in the unused letters of the puzzle.

As solvers find and cross off the words in the word list, the remaining letters reveal a hidden phrase. This adds an extra layer of fun after the word search has been completed.

What’s New?

Previously, the hidden phrase always began with the first unused letter in the puzzle.

Once a solver recognized this pattern, they could simply begin reading the unused letters from that point and quickly reveal the message.

With this update, you have the option for the hidden phrase to begin at a random unused letter within the puzzle.

Instead of immediately knowing where the message starts, solvers must first search the remaining letters to find the beginning of the hidden phrase before they can read it.

It’s a simple change, but it makes a big difference in the puzzle-solving experience.

Why This Is Better

Randomizing the starting position makes hidden phrase puzzles feel much more like a true mystery.

After completing the word search, there’s still one final challenge waiting for the solver: discovering where the hidden message begins.

This makes the reveal more satisfying and encourages solvers to spend a little more time interacting with the puzzle.

Watch the Feature in Action

We’ve created a short tutorial video demonstrating the updated Hidden Phrases feature and showing how the new random placement works.

If you enjoy creating word search books for Amazon KDP, classroom activities, printable products for Etsy, or puzzle books of any kind, this enhancement is a great way to make your hidden phrase puzzles even more engaging.

The updated Hidden Phrases feature is available now for all members in the Word Search Puzzle Tool, so try it in your next project.

Not a member? Sign up for a free 3-day trial.