Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns.

Today's Strands puzzle is a challenging one, and even some long-time players of this word-search game might be looking for a helping hand.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

The New York Times published its first crossword puzzle, initiating a cultural shift towards puzzle-solving. Over the years, the NYT has introduced various puzzles and games, including the Mini Crossword and the global sensation Wordle.

I find the NYT Mini Crossword super satisfying when every grid of the puzzle takes a letter, like today's puzzle, with no blank squares. This way, if you can answer all the ACROSS

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

In today's puzzle, there are nine theme words to find (including the spangram). Hint: The first one can be found in the top half of the board. Here are the first two letters for each word: Today's spangram answer on Thursday, February 6, 2025, is FIRSTNAMES.