Play Strands #961
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #961 hints
Today's official theme is "🦆🦆 ... 🪿". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words about a classic kids' recess activity, covering where it happens, the shape players make, and the actions they take.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
It's the chant kids repeat while tapping heads in a seated ring, and the two kinds of birds in the clue are a big hint.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: C, C, G, P, S, W.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 13 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #961 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 13 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #961 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 20, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
GAME. It starts in row 8, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (4 letters)
WALK. It starts in row 1, column 1, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
CHASE. It starts in row 3, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (6 letters)
CIRCLE. It starts in row 6, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (6 letters)
SELECT. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (10 letters)
PLAYGROUND. It starts in row 5, column 1, counting from the top left.
The spangram (13 letters)
DUCKDUCKGOOSE. It starts in row 2, column 2, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: DUCKDUCKGOOSE
Theme words: CHASE, CIRCLE, GAME, PLAYGROUND, SELECT, WALK
The clue shows two ducks and then a goose, which matches the chant in DUCKDUCKGOOSE where the tapper names each seated player until picking the goose. The theme words describe the play: kids sit in a CIRCLE, the tapper does a WALK, players SELECT someone, then the CHASE begins in this PLAYGROUND GAME.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19 | #960 | It's all Greek to me |
| Oct 18 | #959 | Fast fashion |
| Oct 17 | #958 | Quite the crush |
| Oct 16 | #957 | Just a little bit |
| Oct 15 | #956 | Sailor's guide |
| Oct 14 | #955 | Folk & fairy tale twosomes |
| Oct 13 | #954 | Well, this is awkward |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Oct 20
Strands #961 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 20, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #961 was DUCKDUCKGOOSE, for the theme "🦆🦆 ... 🪿".
What were the Strands theme words on October 20, 2026?
CHASE, CIRCLE, GAME, PLAYGROUND, SELECT, WALK, plus the spangram DUCKDUCKGOOSE.
What did the Strands #961 clue mean?
The clue shows two ducks and then a goose, which matches the chant in DUCKDUCKGOOSE where the tapper names each seated player until picking the goose. The theme words describe the play: kids sit in a CIRCLE, the tapper does a WALK, players SELECT someone, then the CHASE begins in this PLAYGROUND GAME.