If you’re visiting this page, it’s likely that you’re seeking some help with playing [**Strands**](https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands), *The New York Times*’ elegant word-search game.
**Strands** brings a novel spin to the classic word search format. Rather than restricting players to finding words in straight lines, this game allows participants to connect letters in any direction—upwards, downwards, to the left, to the right, or diagonally. Words can shift directions, creating distinctive shapes and patterns. The real challenge is to incorporate every letter in the grid into an answer. Each puzzle centers around a particular theme, and there’s always a “spangram”—a unique word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and occupies the full grid either horizontally or vertically.
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### **SEE ALSO:**
[**Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable**](https://games.mashable.com/)
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In contrast to other games like [**Wordle**](https://mashable.com/category/wordle) or [**Connections**](https://mashable.com/category/connections), **Strands** does not offer a word list, transforming it into a more intricate puzzle that demands additional time and concentration. If you find yourself at a standstill or lack 10+ minutes to tackle today’s challenge, we’ve compiled all the tips you need to advance at your own speed.
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### **SEE ALSO:**
[**Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 31**](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-31-2025)
[**NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 31**](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-31-2025)
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## **NYT Strands Hint for Today’s Theme: Baby Talk**
The words for today are those that young kids might use.
### **Today’s NYT Strands Theme Explained**
The answers consist of words that children commonly utter during their initial year of speech.
### **NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?**
Today’s spangram is positioned vertically.
### **NYT Strands Spangram Answer for Today**
The spangram is **FirstWords**.
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## **NYT Strands Word List for January 31**
Here are today’s solutions:
– **Mama**
– **Dada**
– **Bottle**
– **Kitty**
– **Yucky**
– **Mine**
– **ByeBye**
– **More**
– **FirstWords**
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### **Looking for More Games?**
Explore [**Mashable’s Games page**](https://mashable.com/category/games) for additional tips and puzzles. From [**Mahjong**](https://games.mashable.com/) to Sudoku and free crosswords, there’s something available for everyone.
Not the date you’re searching for? [**Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Strands.**](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-30-2025)