Strands is the New York Times’ latest daily puzzle, offering a more challenging twist on the classic word search. It requires sharp observation skills to identify hidden words that connect to a specific theme.
How to Play NYT Strands
In Strands, your goal is to discover “theme words” hidden within a grid of letters. You interact with the grid by dragging or tapping to form words. Once you think you’ve found a theme word, double-tap the final letter to confirm it. If correct, the word will be highlighted in blue, and the letters will no longer be usable.
Even if you find words that aren’t part of the theme, it’s still beneficial. For every three non-theme words you discover that are at least four letters long, you’ll receive a hint—this hint reveals some letters of a theme word, and you just need to unscramble it.
Every letter on the grid is used exactly once to form the theme words, with no overlaps. Additionally, each puzzle includes a special word called the “spangram,” which describes the puzzle’s theme and spans from one side of the board to the other. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted in yellow.
The aim is to complete the puzzle as quickly as possible while minimizing the use of hints.
Hint for Today’s NYT Strands Puzzle
Today’s theme is “Makeshift music.”
A helpful hint: think of improvised instruments.
Today’s NYT Strands Answers
If you’re struggling with today’s Strands puzzle, here’s the spangram and the answers to help you out:
- Spangram: JUGBAND
- Theme Words:
- SPOONS
- WASHBOARD
- BROOM
- STOVEPIPE
- BONES
- COWBELL
Now that you have the answers, you can see how these words connect to the theme of makeshift music! Try tackling tomorrow’s puzzle to keep improving your skills.