NYT Connections – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

NYT Connections

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Website2023

92%

WISE Score

The daily word puzzle that proves you don't know as much as you think you do—in the best, most brain-tingling way possible.

NYT Connections

Website

2023

92%

WISE Score

The daily word puzzle that proves you don't know as much as you think you do—in the best, most brain-tingling way possible.

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Screenwise Verdict

Connections is the rare piece of 'good' internet. It’s a word game that actually requires a brain, doesn't try to harvest your soul for ad revenue, and respects your time by only giving you one puzzle a day.

It’s basically the digital equivalent of those old logic puzzle books, but with better UI and a social element where you can text your results to your family. It’s safe, smart, and a fantastic way to model healthy, intentional screen use. If your kid is into words or puzzles, this is an absolute win.

Age Fit

Best for age 10 and up. While younger kids might understand the mechanics, the puzzle often relies on cultural references or specific vocabulary that usually doesn't click until middle school.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a pure, intellectual exercise. No violence, no snark, just a clean grid of words that rewards patience and logic. It’s one of the few things on a screen that feels like it’s actually nourishing your brain rather than rotting it.

Imaginative

While it's a static text grid, the game requires high-level lateral thinking and the ability to see 'hidden' meanings and connections. It’s imaginative in the way a good riddle is, though it lacks creative output or world-building.

Safe

As safe as the modern web gets. There are no ads, no chat rooms, no user-generated content, and no manipulative 'freemium' mechanics. You play once a day and you're done. The only risk is a mild blow to your ego.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in vocabulary, categorization, and recognizing nuance. It forces players to move past first impressions and analyze how words relate to one another through synonyms, homophones, or shared contexts.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Forces kids to think 'sideways' and look for secondary meanings of common words.
Zero 'junk' content—no loot boxes, no infinite scrolls, and no annoying pop-up ads.
Perfect for a 5-minute morning routine or a quick collaborative huddle during breakfast.
Builds an incredible vocabulary and teaches the concept of 'red herrings' in logic.

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What to Watch For

The 'Purple' category can be notoriously abstract or rely on niche trivia that kids (and many adults) won't know.
It can be genuinely frustrating; some days the connections feel like a massive reach, which might discourage less patient kids.

Conversation Starters

"Which word did you think belonged in two different groups today?"
"What's a 'red herring' and how did the game try to trick us with one?"
"If you had to make a grid for me to solve, what four categories would you use?"

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