If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re not alone. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that combines elements of a word search with clever, theme-based twists.
31 January 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “It’s part of the game”
Today’s theme leaned heavily into sports and recreational activities. The words felt instantly recognizable, but the challenge came from switching between different games and equipment. The spangram itself was short, cheerful, and perfectly captured the spirit of play running through the entire grid.
31 January 2026 NYT Strands Hints
- Think about common elements you’d find across multiple sports.
- Look for words tied to both team games and individual activities.
- Some answers refer to playing surfaces, while others are equipment-based.
- Expect a mix of indoor and outdoor sports terms.
- The spangram ties everything together with a lighthearted, celebratory phrase.
31 January 2026 NYT Strands Answers
- Base (a key part of several field games)
- Foot (essential in many sports, especially ball games)
- Pickle (as in pickleball)
- Volley (a move common in net sports)
- Basket (used in scoring across multiple games)
- Paddle (equipment for various court and water sports)
- Racquet (central to tennis and similar games)
Spangram
Have a Ball
The spangram captures the overall mood of the puzzle, encouraging fun and play while neatly connecting all the sports-related answers into one cheerful idea.
How Strands works
Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:
- You’re given a theme.
- The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that theme.
- Words can run in any direction, including diagonals.
- Once you find all the theme words, you’re done!
Each puzzle usually has around 6–8 theme words.
How to get and use hints
Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super useful if you’re stuck:
- To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
- Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
- When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.
Pro tip: Don’t just burn hints — use them strategically when the grid feels impossible. Sometimes a single revealed word unlocks the entire board.
Tips to become a NYT Strands pro
- Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
- Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
- Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
- Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
- Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.
Final thoughts
The 31 January 2026 NYT Strands puzzle felt fairly accessible, with a light, fun theme and familiar vocabulary. It was more about spotting connections than decoding tricky words. How many did you find without hints?
