Looking for today’s NYT Strands spark? You’re in the right place.
Strands may look simple at first glance, but once you dive in, it becomes a cold, clever test of pattern-spotting and theme-driven word hunting.
For NYT Strands #638 (Saturday, December 1, 2025), the theme takes a frosty turn. “On the Ice” hints at everything connected to chilly environments, think skating gear, winter essentials, and items you’d typically find or use on a sheet of ice. From gliding to gripping, every word you uncover will tie back to life in icy conditions.
How To Play NYT Strands Puzzle?
Want to master the NYT Strands? Here’s your quick guide! These steps walk you through every move you need to solve the grid smoothly and keep your winning streak going.
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Start with the Daily Theme: At the top of the puzzle, you’ll see a clue that hints at the category of words hidden in the grid. This theme is your compass as it tells you exactly what kinds of words to hunt for.
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Connect Letters to Form Words: Swipe through adjacent letters (up, down, sideways, or diagonally) to form valid words. Every word you find should relate to the day’s theme. If the word is correct, it locks into place automatically.
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Hunt for the Spangram: Each puzzle contains one special long word, “the spangram,” that winds through the grid and touches opposite sides. This word reveals the puzzle’s main idea and often makes the remaining answers easier to spot.
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Use Hints Wisely (If You Need Them!): Stuck? Find any non-theme word and submit it, doing this enough times earns you hints that highlight letters from a theme word.
What is the theme for NYT Strands Today?
Theme: On the Ice!
Hint: All the words of today’s puzzle are related to ice sports.
What are the Opening Letters for NYT Strands, December 1, 2025?
The opening letters for NYT strands, December 1, 2025, are:
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WH
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PL
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PU
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AX
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LE
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SC
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PL
Here are some answers you must check:

(Credits: NYT/ Strands)
Can you guess other words on the grid now?
Before scrolling, try to think of more terms related to ice sports.
What are the NYT Strands Answers for December 1, 2025?
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Goals
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Puck
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Skates
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Zamboni
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Scoreboard
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Sticks
Here is the complete grid of solved answers with spangram:
Spangram: Hockey Rink

(Credits: NYT/ Strands)
Keep dropping by daily for fresh NYT Strands hints and insights. Still building your solving skills? Stay consistent and explore new themes, study patterns, and tackle each grid with curiosity. The more you practise, the sharper your instincts get, and the faster you level up your game!
| Other NYT Puzzles: | ||
| NYT Connections December 1, 2025 | NYT Wordle December 1, 2025 | NYT Crossword December 1, 2025 |
Check Answers for NYT Strands Hints: November 29, 2025 Here!
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