The New York Times made history on February 15, 1942, by publishing its first crossword puzzle in the Sunday Magazine. Created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar, this marked the paper as the first major U.S. publication to feature a crossword. The decision sparked a cultural shift, making puzzles a beloved pastime for readers. Over the decades, the NYT has expanded its puzzle offerings to include the Mini Crossword (2014) and popular games such as Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, the paper acquired Wordle, which became a global sensation. Building on this momentum, it later introduced games like Connections and Strands, capturing the interest of a growing community of players worldwide. The NYT continues to innovate in the puzzle space, cementing its position as a leader in engaging, mind-challenging entertainment for people of all ages and backgrounds, uniting puzzle enthusiasts across the globe.
NYT Strands February 21, 2025 – Hints, answers, Spangram
Having trouble solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle? We’re here to help with some easy hints to fuel your curiosity even more. Plus, we’ve got today’s answer waiting for you – just keep reading.
Today's NYT Strands puzzle theme
The theme for today’s Strands is TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
Hints for today’s Strands
Below, we’ve shared the hints, answers, and Spangram for today’s NYT Strands puzzle. The hints may give away part or all of the Strands, so proceed with caution. Scroll down to continue:
Hints- A space ranger known for his catchphrase, “To infinity and beyond”
- Small, three-eyed, green creatures that worship "The Claw"
- A cowboy doll with a pull-string and a strong sense of loyalty
- A toy dachshund with a stretchy midsection
- A bug-like action figure with great strength, part of a villainous daycare crew
- A penguin toy with a broken squeaker who loves to sing
- A loyal toy horse that doesn’t speak but expresses emotions vividly
NYT Strands February 21, 2025 – Hints, answers, Spangram
Spangram for today
TOYSTORY is the Spangram for today’s NYT Strands puzzle.
Today's Strands’ answers:
- BUZZ
- ALIEN
- WOODY
- SLINKY
- TWITCH
- WHEEZY
- BULLSEYE
What are NYT Strands and how to play the game?
- Strands is a puzzle game that blends elements of Connections, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. Players are given 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch grid, along with a daily theme. The goal is to solve the Spangram and uncover all the theme-related words.
- To play, connect letters on the grid to form words by dragging your mouse or fingers (on a touchscreen) in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions.
- Start by identifying the central theme word or Spangram, which will help you understand the puzzle’s theme.
- In addition to the Spangram, you must also find other words related to the theme hidden in the grid. Once you’ve uncovered them all, the puzzle is complete.
Tips for solving NYT Strands puzzle
- Identify the theme words: Fill in the grid with the theme words. Once found, they will be highlighted in blue and won't overlap with each other.
- Find the Spangram: Identify the Spangram, a key part of the puzzle that connects two opposite sides of the grid. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words. The Spangram will be highlighted in yellow once you’ve located it.
- Take advantage of hints: Pay attention to off-topic words for clues. For every three non-theme words you uncover, letters will be highlighted to give you a hint toward finding a theme word, without directly revealing it