Today's NYT Strands is live for Thursday, September 24, 2026 (Puzzle #935). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Just outside your door"
What It Really Means
The prompt points to things used for play in the outdoor space at home.
Think About...
- Places to climb and hide.
- Ways to splash or bounce.
- Spots for digging or gliding through the air.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 8 letters
Starting Zone: Row 5, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the setting that could hold all these playthings.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Picture the outdoor space directly behind a home.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is B, last letter is D
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BACKYARD
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A small make-believe stronghold.
Closer: Blankets and cushions can become the walls of this pretend hideout.
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 4 letters total
Answer
FORT
Word 2
Vague: A place to cool off on a hot day.
Closer: Look for a shallow end and a place to swim.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
POOL
Word 3
Vague: An enclosed play area for digging and shaping.
Closer: Bring a pail and shovel to this low-walled play area filled with grains.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 7 letters total
Answer
SANDBOX
Word 4
Vague: Hanging seats that carry you through the air.
Closer: Each seat hangs from chains, moving forward and back as you pump your legs.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SWINGS
Word 5
Vague: Equipment that makes each jump lead to another.
Closer: A taut fabric surface over springs gives each landing a rebound.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 10 letters total
Answer
TRAMPOLINE
Word 6
Vague: A hideaway raised off the ground.
Closer: A ladder leads to a small shelter built among branches.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 9 letters total
Answer
TREEHOUSE
Full Answers
Spangram: BACKYARD
Theme Words:
- FORT
- POOL
- SANDBOX
- SWINGS
- TRAMPOLINE
- TREEHOUSE
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium. The setting is familiar, but the longer answers require winding paths.
Trickiest Word: SANDBOX is the trickiest word. Its software meaning can distract from the play setting, and its path bends across the upper right of the grid.
Our Take: BACKYARD gives the list a clear setting, while FORT, POOL, and TREEHOUSE show how differently that space can be used. The mix of short and long answers keeps the search lively once the theme clicks.
