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.

29 September 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Chew on that!”

Today’s Strands was a sweet treat! The theme “Chew on That” took solvers straight to the world of chewing gum — from fruity bursts to minty classics.

29 September 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

If you’re still puzzling, here are some gentle nudges before the full reveal:

  1. Sweet and Sticky: Think of flavors you’ve blown bubbles with.
  2. Some are Fruity: Not all gum is minty.
  3. Classic Corner Store Picks: A couple of these scream childhood memories.
  4. Spicy or Cool: Flavors range from warming to refreshing.
  5. Berry Nice: One answer is a fruit flavor.
  6. Mint Matters: Look for more than one minty variation.
  7. Pop Culture Favorite: One word immediately makes you think of giant pink bubbles.
  8. Spangram: A phrase that sums up what these all have in common.

29 September 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • BUBBLE – the classic gum for blowing bubbles
  • CINNAMON – the warm and spicy gum variety
  • SPEARMINT – one of the most refreshing mint flavors
  • BERRY – fruity gum favorite
  • WINTERGREEN – a cool minty twist

Spangram

GUMFLAVOR — a perfect wrap-up for today’s theme, capturing the wide variety of flavors found in chewing gum.

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

  1. Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
  2. Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
  3. Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
  4. Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
  5. Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.

Final Thoughts

This puzzle was both nostalgic and refreshing — like unwrapping a stick of gum. The variety of answers kept things playful, while the spangram tied the flavors neatly together.

September 29’s Strands delivered a chewy, flavorful challenge that was just as fun as blowing the perfect bubble. A sweet way to start the week!