Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (Puzzle #814). 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: "On the nature trail"
What It Really Means
Every word in today's puzzle is something you might spot, pick up, or encounter while walking a nature trail. Think about what catches your eye on a hike through the woods or across a field.
Think About...
- Small natural objects you'd find on the ground
- Signs of wildlife passing through
- Things that belong to trees, birds, and the forest floor
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonal
Letter Count: 13 letters
Starting Zone: Begins at the first letter of the first row, moving diagonally downward to the right, then curving left
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This is a classic outdoor activity often done by kids at summer camp or on a nature walk.
Hint 2 (Warmer): You make a list of things to find in nature, then check each one off as you discover it.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is S, last letter is T
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SCAVENGERHUNT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A small, cheerful flower often found in meadows and along trails.
Closer: White petals around a bright yellow center, a classic wildflower.
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 5 letters total
Answer
DAISY
Word 2
Vague: A hard, nut-like object that falls from certain trees.
Closer: The seed of an oak tree, often collected by squirrels.
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 5 letters total
Answer
ACORN
Word 3
Vague: A soft, green growth covering rocks, trees, and the forest floor.
Closer: A spongy plant that thrives in damp, shady spots on the trail.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 4 letters total
Answer
MOSS
Word 4
Vague: A mark left behind by an animal traveling through the woods.
Closer: The impression of an animal's foot in mud, snow, or soft ground.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 8 letters total
Answer
PAWPRINT
Word 5
Vague: A small pool of water you might step over on a rainy trail.
Closer: Shallow water collected in a depression on the ground after rain.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
PUDDLE
Word 6
Vague: A lightweight object from a bird that you might find lying on the path.
Closer: A bird's plumage piece, often colorful, dropped during flight or preening.
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 7 letters total
Answer
FEATHER
Full Answers
Spangram: SCAVENGERHUNT
Theme Words:
- DAISY
- ACORN
- MOSS
- PAWPRINT
- PUDDLE
- FEATHER
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: PAWPRINT (Eight letters and a compound word make it harder to spot than the shorter, more obvious items on the list.)
Our Take: This is a straightforward, nature-themed puzzle that feels like a leisurely walk in the woods. The words are everyday finds, and the spangram SCAVENGERHUNT ties them together neatly. A solid warm-up for anyone who needs a quick Strands win to start the day.
