Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, November 14, 2026 (Puzzle #986). 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: "Preschool fun"
What It Really Means
Look for action verbs describing ways children move their bodies during a preschool game.
Think About...
- Pretend to be an animal on the move.
- Think of movements that match a steady beat.
- Imagine sneaking past someone who is asleep.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 15 letters
Starting Zone: Row 5, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of a children's game built around copying someone else's actions.
Hint 2 (Warmer): One child goes first, and everyone behind them imitates each movement.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is F, last letter is R
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FOLLOWTHELEADER
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Move like a speedy animal.
Closer: Imitate a horse racing across a field.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 6 letters total
Answer
GALLOP
Word 2
Vague: Leave the ground for a moment.
Closer: Push off with both feet to clear a puddle.
Letter Clue: Starts with J, 4 letters total
Answer
JUMP
Word 3
Vague: Advance with a deliberate rhythm.
Closer: Lift your knees and step in time like a soldier on parade.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 5 letters total
Answer
MARCH
Word 4
Vague: Travel with a light, bouncy rhythm.
Closer: Alternate a step and a hop, switching feet as you go.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SKIP
Word 5
Vague: Move around your own center.
Closer: Turn around and around in place until you feel dizzy.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SPIN
Word 6
Vague: Move as quietly as you can.
Closer: Keep your heels raised as you sneak across the room.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 6 letters total
Answer
TIPTOE
Word 7
Vague: Choose an ordinary, unhurried way to get somewhere.
Closer: Put one foot in front of the other, keeping at least one foot on the ground.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 4 letters total
Answer
WALK
Full Answers
Spangram: FOLLOWTHELEADER
Theme Words:
- GALLOP
- JUMP
- MARCH
- SKIP
- SPIN
- TIPTOE
- WALK
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy, with familiar movement verbs once the playground connection clicks.
Trickiest Word: SKIP is the likeliest snag because it also means to leave something out. Here, it describes the alternating step-and-hop movement.
Our Take: “Preschool fun” gives a broad starting point, and FOLLOW THE LEADER ties it neatly to actions children can copy. GALLOP and TIPTOE add pretend-play character, while WALK supplies a pleasingly ordinary instruction.