Mini Crossword October 14, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   4–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Common parts of kids' bedtime routines (5)

   Part of a calming pre-sleep routine for kids

   6 Across — French farewell (5)

   Formal way to bid farewell in France

   7 Across — Prestigious prize (5)

   Award given in literature, peace, and more

   8 Across — Tiny creature that feeds the world's largest creature (5)

   Small crustaceans that are a food source for whales

   9 Across — Word on a Staples button (4)

   Slogan on office supply store buttons

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Chase or Wells Fargo (4)

   Type of financial institution for personal accounts

   2 Down — Love, love, love (5)

   Verb meaning to love deeply and intensely

   3 Down — Bone below the femur (5)

   Anatomical term for a leg bone

   4 Down — Difficult shoes to run in (5)

   Type of footwear that can be challenging to run in

   5 Down — Make dirty (5)

   Verb meaning to soil or tarnish something

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   B… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   A… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   N… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   K… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   E… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   B… (4 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   T… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   H… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   S… (5 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   9 Across was the shortest entry at 4 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue