NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Answers for February 26, 2025

The New York Times Mini Crossword is a fantastic daily puzzle that provides a quick mental workout for crossword lovers. Though it’s smaller than the standard crossword, it still challenges solvers with clever wordplay and tricky clues.

For those who played the NYT Mini Crossword on February 26, 2025, and need help with the answers or want a detailed breakdown of the solutions, this guide is for you! Below, we’ll go through each clue, answer, and explanation, along with tips to improve your crossword-solving skills.

NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Answers for February 26, 2025

Here’s a full breakdown of today’s crossword puzzle:

Across Clues and Answers

1 Across: “Fastener for shoelaces” (4 letters) – Answer: AGLET

• Explanation: The small plastic or metal tip at the end of a shoelace is called an “aglet.” It prevents fraying and makes it easier to thread laces through holes.

2 Across: “Place to buy coffee” (5 letters) – Answer: CAFE

• Explanation: A café is a common place where people buy coffee and other beverages, often paired with pastries or light meals.

3 Across: “Opposite of subtract” (3 letters) – Answer: ADD

• Explanation: This is a simple math-related clue. Adding is the opposite of subtracting.

4 Across: “Baby’s bed” (4 letters) – Answer: CRIB

• Explanation: A crib is a small bed designed for infants, usually with protective bars on the sides.

5 Across: “Three-letter word for a beverage” (3 letters) – Answer: TEA

• Explanation: Tea is a popular hot or cold beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water.

Down Clues and Answers

1 Down: “Type of dance or a Hawaiian greeting” (5 letters) – Answer: HULA

• Explanation: Hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance, and “hula” is also commonly associated with Hawaiian culture.

2 Down: “Half of a dozen” (3 letters) – Answer: SIX

• Explanation: A dozen is 12, and half of that is 6. This is a straightforward numerical clue.

3 Down: “Something a magician pulls out of a hat” (3 letters) – Answer: RAB

• Explanation: Magicians are famously known for pulling rabbits out of hats.

5 Down: “Type of long, crusty bread” (5 letters) – Answer: BAGUETTE

• Explanation: A baguette is a long, thin French bread with a crispy crust, often associated with French cuisine.

Strategies for Solving the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Even though the Mini Crossword is designed to be quick, some clues can still be tricky. Here are some expert tips to solve faster and improve your crossword skills:

1. Start with the Obvious Clues

• Look for clues that have only one possible answer.
• Example: “Half of a dozen” → “SIX” was an easy one today.

2. Use Cross-Checking

• If you’re unsure about an answer, solve the intersecting words first.
• In today’s puzzle, knowing that “Baby’s bed” = CRIB helped confirm the letters in “Fastener for shoelaces” = AGLET.

3. Watch for Common Crossword Words

• Some words appear frequently in crosswords.
• Common three-letter words like ERA, ORE, TEE, ICE, and TEA often show up.

4. Look for Wordplay

• Some clues involve puns, double meanings, or common phrases.
• Example: “Type of dance or Hawaiian greeting” = HULA (since “Hula” is both a dance and part of Hawaiian culture).

5. Solve Regularly for Practice

• The more puzzles you solve, the faster you recognize patterns and common clues.

Why Crossword Puzzles Are Great for Your Brain

Solving crosswords isn’t just a fun pastime—it has real cognitive benefits:

Expands Vocabulary – You’ll learn new words and phrases.
Boosts Memory – Helps with recall and cognitive sharpness.
Reduces Stress – Solving puzzles can be a relaxing and rewarding mental exercise.
Improves Problem-Solving Skills – Crosswords challenge you to think critically and make logical connections.

Final Thoughts: How Did You Do?

The NYT Mini Crossword for February 26, 2025, had a great mix of straightforward and slightly tricky clues. Whether you solved it quickly or got stuck on a few words, the important thing is practicing and enjoying the process!

Did you find today’s puzzle easy or challenging? Share your thoughts in the comments! If you enjoyed this breakdown, bookmark this page for daily crossword solutions and tips.

Happy solving!