A Fun Puzzle for Everyone

One sunny morning not long ago, on a special day in January, something new and exciting happened for people who love puzzles. On Monday, January 27th, 2026, a newspaper called The Slate made a brand-new kind of crossword puzzle just for kids and beginners!

You might have seen grown-ups working on crossword puzzles in the newspaper. It is a game with a grid of white and black squares. You read a clue, like “A furry pet that says ‘meow’,” and then you write the answer, “CAT,” in the squares. But sometimes, those puzzles can be very hard, with big words and tricky clues.

The people at The Slate thought, “Everyone should have fun with word puzzles!” So, they created the “Slate Mini Crossword.” This new puzzle is smaller and uses words that are easier to understand. The clues are designed for younger thinkers, like second graders! For example, a clue might be “The color of grass” and you would write “GREEN.” It’s a way to play with words, learn new ones, and feel smart when you fill in all the squares.

Making this puzzle was a way to be kind and include everyone. It shows that games can be for all ages. The creators wanted to help people feel happy and successful when they solve it. They also hoped it would help kids practice reading and spelling in a fun way, just like you do in school.

This news from January 2026 is a happy story about making things fair and fun. It reminds us that learning new things can be a wonderful game. Maybe you can try making your own mini crossword for a friend! You could draw a grid and think of clues for words like “BOOK,” “FRIEND,” or “SUN.” It’s a great way to share the joy of words.

Vocabulary Words

Puzzle: A game or problem that makes you think to solve it.
- （谜题：一个需要你动脑筋去解决的游戏或问题。）
Clue: A hint or piece of information that helps you find an answer.
- （线索：帮助你找到答案的提示或一条信息。）
Create: To make something new.
- （创造：做出新的东西。）
Successful: When you do something well and get it right.
- （成功的：当你把事情做好、做对了的时候。）
Practice: To do something again and again to get better at it.
- （练习：反复做某事以变得更擅长。）

Comprehension Questions

Choose the best answer for each question.

What did The Slate create on January 27, 2026?
A. A new comic book about animals.
B. A new kind of crossword puzzle for kids.
C. A new television show for families.
D. A new type of computer game.
What is a crossword puzzle?
A. A math game with numbers.
B. A word game where you write answers in squares based on clues.
C. A drawing game where you color shapes.
D. A running game you play on the playground.
Why did they make the new “Mini Crossword”?
A. To make a puzzle that was harder for grown-ups.
B. To make a puzzle that was easier and more fun for kids and beginners.
C. To make a puzzle only about animals.
D. To make a puzzle that was very, very big.
Which of these might be a clue in the new mini puzzle?
A. A very difficult science word.
B. The name of a famous president from history.
C. “The color of the sky.”
D. A long, complicated math problem.
What is one thing the passage says you can learn from doing puzzles?
A. How to build a house.
B. How to cook a meal.
C. How to read and spell new words.
D. How to fly an airplane.