
The New York Times Mini Crossword has a fresh challenge daily, so it's a daily indulgence for wordplay enthusiasts. The puzzles are small but full of clever clues that challenge vocabulary as well as trivia knowledge. Today, April 1, 2025, the puzzle has a particularly playful touch since it's April Fool's Day, and all the clues are in ALL CAPS. This quirky change doesn’t alter the puzzle’s structure, but it does add a playful element to the experience. If today’s puzzle has you stumped, no worries! Here are the answers and clues to help solve today's mini challenge.
April Fool’s Day is known for its lighthearted pranks, and today's crossword is no different. From clues referring to symbols of playfulness to a nod to past pranks, there is plenty of fun baked into these answers. The NYT Mini Crossword never fails to keep solvers engaged with a mix of simple yet challenging clues, and today’s puzzle is no exception.
The Mini Across section of today's crossword brings a mix of pop culture references and clever wordplay. With clues ranging from a San Diego baseball player to retired Monopoly tokens, it’s a delightful blend of nostalgia and trivia. Each answer ties neatly into a unique story, creating an engaging challenge for solvers.
1A: WITH 8-ACROSS, WHAT WAS LEFT ON WHILE MAKING THIS PUZZLE
Answer: CAPS
This is a reference to the lighthearted caps-only formatting of today's puzzle, done in honor of April Fool's Day.
5A: SAN DIEGO BASEBALL PLAYER
Answer: PADRE
This is a simple reference to the San Diego Padres, a Major League Baseball team.
6A: PAIR OF CYMBALS ON A DRUM SET
Answer: HIHAT
The hi-hat is a two cymbals on a stand, often featured in drum kits.
7A: MONOPOLY TOKEN RETIRED IN 2013
Answer: IRON
The iron token was retired in 2013, as well as several others, when the game underwent an update.
8A: SEE 1-ACROSS
Answer: LOCK
This is a continuation of 1-Across with a direct link to the theme of items left on while working on the puzzle.
1D: CAPITAL OF EGYPT
Answer: CAIRO
The capital city of Egypt, a cultural and historical hub located on the banks of the Nile River.
2D: LIKE A TEMPORARY COMMITTEE
Answer: ADHOC
An ad hoc committee is formed for a specific purpose or task and is not intended to be permanent.
3D: BIT OF APRIL FOOLS' DAY FOOLERY
Answer: PRANK
An old April Fool's Day citation, a prank is a joke or trick done in jest.
4D: READY-GO GO-BETWEEN
Answer: SET
A "set" has many possible applications, but here it describes the instant preceding the start of a race or competition—when all is "set."
5D: SINGER COLLINS
Answer: PHIL
Phil Collins is a well-known English singer and drummer who has made a name for himself through both his solo work and with the band Genesis.
The NYT Mini Crossword is a daily challenge for both body and soul. It's a fast mental stretch that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. Whether you do it over a break or as a part of your daily morning routine, it provides a great way to get your brain warmed up. Today's issue, with its April Fool's Day theme, provides an additional layer of fun. Each puzzle of the NYT Times has its own little tale, providing depth and delight to the experience.
Crossword enthusiasts across the globe swarm to the NYT Mini Crossword for its clever combination of wordplay and popular culture. A new challenge presents itself every day, and with each successfully solved clue, a feeling of achievement. It's an easy, but addictive means of maintaining the brain's spark. Whether clues are straightforward or challenging, the feeling of victory upon solving the puzzle cannot be beaten.
The NYT Mini Crossword is free every day. There is no subscription to get access to today's puzzle. But a subscription gives access to the full archive of puzzles, which makes it simpler to keep track of progress and go back to earlier puzzles. Solving in minutes or spending time, it's the ideal combination of entertainment and brain exercise. Every puzzle provides a nice distraction from the day-to-day routine.
Whether or not today's puzzle is easy or slightly harder, it's all part of the enjoyment. With answers on hand and clues set out, it's simpler to move through the tough areas and maintain the momentum. Puzzlers can come back to the Mini Crossword daily for a new challenge that refines wordplay and creates daily habits.
A new puzzle each day, challenging solvers to keep their streaks going and keep their brains sharp. Solving alone or racing for time with friends, the Mini Crossword is still a daily tradition. Continue solving and savor the excitement of solving each clue!