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Super Search Eleven!

Imagine a word-search, but you've got to figure out the words, too! Meet the SUPER SEARCH!

In this hexagonal grid, there are 36 HIDDEN words (forwards, backwards, or diagonally) that fall under SIX categories. Circle the answers as you find them -- like with a traditional word-search, letters can be used in multiple words.

When you are finished, there will be 12 letters that aren't used in any words, which, when written in order, will give you a FINAL CODE to enter to earn this badge!

Your SIX word categories (with SIX words each):

  • Nocturnal Animals
  • Bones in the Human Body
  • US Founding Fathers (last name only)
  • Common Building/Construction Materials
  • Disney Princesses
  • Cereal Brands

None of the answers are plural or abbreviations.

Learn more about how to solve these puzzles!

Here's a printer-friendly version. (You definitely want to print these puzzles, or stop by the library and we're happy to print them for you!)

Large hexagonal grid of letters

And a GIANT, HUGE, dare we say, SUPER(!!!!!!) thank you to our dedicated SUPER SEARCHERS this summer! It's been a TRUE DELIGHT to hear how much you enjoy these puzzles! They're going into hibernation for the winter, but DON'T BE SURPRISED if Super Searches crop up again in future games!!

This badge has been awarded to 786 players

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Comments

Submitted by kathscot on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 12:28pm

My family loves these puzzles. Is there any non-Summer Game source for them?

Sadly, NOT YET! Last December, the New York Times had one of the cover of their annual Puzzle insert (created by Will Shortz), which they called...drumroll please...A SUPER SEARCH! I enjoyed it so much, I tried to find more and couldn't find any! So I decided to try my hand at making them myself.

It would be wonderful if more crop up somewhere. We've emailed the NYT Puzzle Department to say that if they HAPPENED to make more, we have a whole community of folks in Ann Arbor ravenous to play them! HERE'S HOPING!!!!

Submitted by leahkarr on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 4:30pm

Thank you so very much for these puzzles all summer. I was sad to complete this one as it really means it's done :(

So glad you enjoyed playing them! I'm sure there will be an EVENTUAL RETURN of these puzzles (but I'm equally sure it won't be next Friday at noon :D). It doesn't exactly scratch the Super Search itch, but if you liked having to think sideways about word categorization, the NYT's new game Connections is a lot of fun too: https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections

Submitted by pamhockey25 on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 4:54pm

Please bring this back next summer! I'm already going through withdrawal. Connections is fun, but not the same! I think playing this game has helped me with Connections though!

So glad you enjoyed them! I think making them has helped me with Connections, too! (And Connections may be giving me ideas for future Super Search categories....) Thanks for PUZZLING along all summer!!!!

Submitted by annalarks@gmail.com on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 1:37pm

This was my favorite summer game badge series!! (Chicken goes to school is a close second though. 🙂) Fridays just won't be the same anymore without a super search to look forward to!

Thanks so much for puzzling along all summer! Chicken and I are both going to take a break, but I don't think this summer is the last you'll see of either of us!!! Thanks for playing the Summer Game!

Submitted by dailyreader on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 7:35pm

Love loved loved these! Thanks so much for all of the work that went into making them. I can't wait for them to come back!

Thanks for the LOVE and for playing along all summer! Luckily MAKING a puzzle is another variation on SOLVING one -- usually FUN, sometimes FRUSTRATING, and ever so SATISFYING when you've successfully completed it!

Submitted by julielehrmann on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 11:06am

Thank you soooo much for these puzzles! I’m also super sad that they’re done - AND that I can’t find them anywhere :(
I agree with all the comments - please bring them back next summer!

Don't worry ... I have a feeling PUZZLE 11 isn't the LAST you'll see of the Super Search!! We're definitely hoping they'll start cropping up SOMEWHERE ELSE too (it was a puzzle invented by Will Shortz of the New York Times, but so far it seems like he's only published one!) But even if they don't, I imagine AADL and SUPER SEARCHES will get back together again :)

Submitted by CAH on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 11:49am

A huge THANK YOU for these puzzles. We enjoyed them with our Sunday morning coffee. We will surely miss them, and we are already hoping to see them next summer!

Submitted by betsywil on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 10:05pm

Thank you SO much for these Super Search puzzles! They were a stellar addition to this year's Summer Game. I hope to see more next year.

Submitted by RebeccaWittekindt on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 1:38pm

These have been a lot of fun, I’ve been looking forward to them each week! Sorry that the Games are ending this year but hope to see these again next time! Thank you for all the work put into everything!

Badge Series
Super Search 2023

Badge Tags
Puzzle

Game
SummerGame2023

Difficulty
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Extremely Tricky 4 of out 4 difficulty

Badge Points
200

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