Curious about the January 20 Strands puzzle from The New York Times? Today’s challenge invites you on a whimsical journey through Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” blending clever wordplay with a touch of literary nostalgia. With a captivating spangram at its heart, this puzzle offers a delightful mix of challenge and charm.

Let’s dive into today’s hints and answers, and uncover what makes this Strands puzzle a magical escape into Wonderland.

Strands hints and theme for January 20

Today’s New York Times Strands puzzle theme is centered around “Alice in Wonderland.” The official hint for today’s puzzle is “Curiouser and curiouser!”, a reference to Lewis Carroll’s iconic work. The secondary clue, “Down the rabbit hole we go,” confirms the theme’s connection to the fantastical world of Wonderland.

Players must find six theme words, including the spangram, which ties the puzzle together. The spangram for January 20 is “WONDERLAND.”

What are the Strands answers for today, January 20?

If you’re ready for spoilers, here are today’s theme words:

• HATTER
• RABBIT
• WONDERLAND
• CROQUET
• CATERPILLAR
• DORMOUSE

Each word represents a character or element from “Alice in Wonderland,” and they are interconnected in the puzzle grid. The spangram WONDERLAND links multiple sides of the grid, and its discovery is key to completing today’s challenge.

The puzzle encourages creative thinking, as players navigate through diagonal, vertical, and horizontal letter combinations. Using the Hint feature—unlocked after finding three unrelated words—can help identify trickier theme words.

The inclusion of “CROQUET,” referring to the Queen of Hearts’ unusual game, and “CATERPILLAR,” a nod to the cryptic character smoking a hookah, adds depth to the theme. Even the elusive “DORMOUSE,” known for its sleepy disposition, plays its part in today’s imaginative word hunt.

New York Times’ Strands continues to captivate with its thematic puzzles, offering both a challenge and a trip down memory lane. Whether you’re a word enthusiast or simply curious about Wonderland, today’s puzzle is sure to delight.