Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns.

The official theme for NYT Strands #454 is... "Next to the bobby pins". And here's an unofficial hint from me: "Head ornaments". If you're still in the dark, here are some useful words to give you those valuable clue tokens:

If you’re looking for hints and answers for Strands for Saturday, May 31, 2025, read on—I’ll share some clues and tips, and finally the solution to the puzzle with the theme “Next to the bobby pins.” For an easy way to come back to our Strands hints every day,