NYT Strands Puzzle Challenges Players with ‘The Time of Our Lives’ Theme

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Times’ latest puzzle game, Strands, challenged players on Thursday with a theme titled “The time of our lives.” The game, which combines elements of word search and thematic puzzles, required players to uncover words related to different generations, culminating in the spangram “GENERATIONGAP.”

Strands, a recent addition to the New York Times’ lineup of puzzle games, tasks players with finding words that fit a daily theme. Each puzzle includes a spangram, a word that spans two sides of the grid and ties the theme together. Thursday’s puzzle focused on generational terms, with words like “BOOMER,” “MILLENNIAL,” and “ZOOMER” hidden in the grid.

“Today’s theme was pretty straightforward once you got the hang of it,” said Alan, a freelance contributor who writes about tech and gaming. “I initially thought it might be related to the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives‘ or the Green Day song, but it quickly became clear that it was about generations.”

The puzzle began with a hint: “Think about different ages.” Players were also given the first two letters of each word to help them along. The spangram, “GENERATIONGAP,” was the key to unlocking the theme, connecting words like “ALPHA,” “BOOMER,” and “GREATEST.”

Alan noted that while some puzzles are easier than others, Thursday’s Strands offered a satisfying challenge. “I reached for a clue early on, but once I saw ‘BOOMER,’ it all clicked,” he said. “It’s a fun twist on classic word search games, and I enjoy the tougher grids.”

Strands has quickly gained popularity among puzzle enthusiasts since its launch. The game’s daily themes and unique mechanics have made it a standout in the New York Times’ puzzle portfolio, which includes Wordle and the classic crossword.

For those who missed Thursday’s puzzle, the full list of answers included: ALPHA, BOOMER, GENERATION, GREATEST, MILLENNIAL, and ZOOMER. The spangram, GENERATIONGAP, connected the words across the grid.

As Alan signed off from his daily Strands guides for the next few weeks, he encouraged players to keep solving. “It’s been a fun week of puzzle-solving,” he said. “Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here soon.”