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Mini Crossword Hints — August 30, 2026

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

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All hints
10 clues
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Across

1 Across: Homer Simpson's frustrated cryHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a famous TV dad's go-to exclamation when things go wrong.
  2. Hint 2: This yellow cartoon character shouts this every time he messes up or hurts himself.
  3. Hint 3: It's an expression of frustration or self-annoyance, and it starts with D.
4 Across: Hawaiian party with hula dancingHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a type of tropical party you might picture with leis and tiki torches.
  2. Hint 2: It's a festive gathering from the islands often featuring roasted pig and grass skirts.
  3. Hint 3: It's a Hawaiian feast, and it starts with L.
5 Across: "Make ___" (hurry up!)Hint
  1. Hint 1: This phrase means to move quickly, often said to someone dawdling.
  2. Hint 2: You'd tell someone to do this when you want them to speed up right away.
  3. Hint 3: It means hurry or speed, and it starts with H.
6 Across: Painting and sculpture, e.g.Hint
  1. Hint 1: This word covers creative fields like painting, music, and sculpture.
  2. Hint 2: Museums and galleries showcase this broad category of human creativity.
  3. Hint 3: It's the general term for creative disciplines, and it starts with A.
7 Across: Where clouds floatHint
  1. Hint 1: Look up—this is where you'd find fluffy white shapes drifting by.
  2. Hint 2: It's the vast blue expanse above us where birds and planes travel.
  3. Hint 3: It's the space above the earth's surface, and it starts with S.

Down

1 Down: Covered in dirtHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes something that badly needs a cleaning.
  2. Hint 2: If you've been rolling around outside, you might end up looking like this.
  3. Hint 3: It means covered in grime, and it starts with D.
2 Down: Grain in oatmealHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a common breakfast grain, often eaten warm with milk.
  2. Hint 2: Horses eat this grain too, and it's the main ingredient in a popular hot cereal.
  3. Hint 3: It's the grain used to make oatmeal, and it starts with O.
3 Down: Shade of a colorHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes a slight variation of a color.
  2. Hint 2: Painters talk about this when mixing a bit more white or black into a color.
  3. Hint 3: It means a tint or shade of color, and it starts with H.
4 Down: Playful adventureHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes a fun, adventurous escapade.
  2. Hint 2: It's often used to describe doing something spontaneous and exciting just for fun.
  3. Hint 3: It means a playful, carefree adventure, and it starts with L.
5 Down: OwnsHint
  1. Hint 1: This simple verb means to possess something.
  2. Hint 2: You'd use this word to say something belongs to you.
  3. Hint 3: It means to own or possess, and it starts with H.

Use hints slowly

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

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August 30, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the August 30, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the August 30, 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/2026-08-30 reveals one answer at a time.