Skip to main content

Mini Crossword Hints — June 26, 2026

Open one clue at a time. Each row moves from gentle nudge to stronger help without revealing the full answer.

Play puzzle firstAnswer key
All hints
10 clues
Spoiler-light

Across

1 Across: Robin or sparrowHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about everyday backyard wildlife with feathers and wings.
  2. Hint 2: A robin and a sparrow are both examples of this kind of flying animal.
  3. Hint 3: A feathered, egg-laying animal; starts with B.
5 Across: TV, radio, and newspapers collectivelyHint
  1. Hint 1: This word covers all the ways news and entertainment reach the public.
  2. Hint 2: Reporters, journalists, and broadcasters are all part of this industry as a group.
  3. Hint 3: The collective term for TV, radio, and newspapers; starts with M.
6 Across: Kitchen appliances for bakingHint
  1. Hint 1: Picture the appliance you'd use to bake cookies or roast a chicken.
  2. Hint 2: These hot boxes in the kitchen are essential for baking bread and casseroles.
  3. Hint 3: Kitchen appliances used for baking; starts with O.
7 Across: Dog walker's tetherHint
  1. Hint 1: This is something a pet owner clips onto a collar before a walk.
  2. Hint 2: It's the strap that keeps a dog close by during a walk.
  3. Hint 3: A tether used to walk a dog; starts with L.
8 Across: "Anything ___?"Hint
  1. Hint 1: This word often follows 'anything' when asking if there's more to add.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the phrase used when checking if someone has additional needs or requests.
  3. Hint 3: A word meaning 'in addition' or 'otherwise'; starts with E.

Down

1 Down: Slanted edge on a mirror or lensHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about the angled edge you might see around a fancy mirror.
  2. Hint 2: This is the slanted cut along the border of glass or a lens.
  3. Hint 3: A slanted edge on glass or a lens; starts with B.
2 Down: Bright thoughtsHint
  1. Hint 1: These are the sparks of inspiration that pop into your head.
  2. Hint 2: When you have a sudden clever thought, you might call it one of these.
  3. Hint 3: Mental concepts or inspirations; starts with I.
3 Down: Wash out with waterHint
  1. Hint 1: This is what you do to clean something using water, not soap.
  2. Hint 2: After washing dishes, you might do this step to remove the suds.
  3. Hint 3: To flush clean with water; starts with R.
4 Down: Small amount, as of saltHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a tiny quantity, often used when seasoning food.
  2. Hint 2: A cook might add just a pinch or a little bit of this to a recipe.
  3. Hint 3: A small amount, like of salt; starts with D.
5 Down: Small burrowing critterHint
  1. Hint 1: This animal is known for digging tunnels underground.
  2. Hint 2: It's a small, furry creature that builds hills of dirt in yards.
  3. Hint 3: A small burrowing mammal; starts with M.

Use hints slowly

Reveal the first hint, try the grid again, then come back only if the crossing letters still do not move.

See answers

June 26, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the June 26, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the June 26, 2026 puzzle, with three progressive hints each — from a gentle nudge to a stronger push, but never the full answer.
Is this the NYT Mini hints page?
No. This is an independent daily mini crossword. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by The New York Times.
What is the difference between hints and the answer key?
Hints move you toward the answer one step at a time so you can still solve it yourself. If you want to see a solution outright, the answer key at /answers/2026-06-26 reveals one answer at a time.