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For a parent

# Daily puzzles for a parent or grandparent

> Choosing a puzzle app for an older parent or grandparent? What Crux offers (no ads, a daily crossword, word searches, declared accessibility features), what it does not, and other apps to look at.

If you are choosing a puzzle app for an older parent, Crux is one option: free on iPhone and iPad, no ads to tap by mistake, and a new small crossword, word search and many other short puzzles every day. Here is what it offers, what it does not, and other apps worth a look.

## What Crux offers

- No ads at all: no banners, videos or pop-ups that open another app.
- Familiar puzzles: [Quick Crossword](https://crux.quest/games/quick-crossword/), [Word Hunt](https://crux.quest/games/word-hunt/), [Wordoku](https://crux.quest/games/wordoku/), [Mahjong](https://crux.quest/games/mahjong/), [Capital Match](https://crux.quest/games/capital-match/) and [The Ladder](https://crux.quest/games/ladder/) (trivia), each with a new puzzle every day.
- Accessibility the developer declares on the App Store: Dark Interface, Differentiate Without Color Alone, Sufficient Contrast and Reduced Motion. Sound and haptics can be switched off.
- You do not have to use friends or chat to play.
- Some games have no clock at all, such as [Word Hunt](https://crux.quest/games/word-hunt/) and [Kings](https://crux.quest/games/kings/).

## What to know first

- Crux has a No Wifi section with practice rounds you can play offline; the daily games download each day's puzzle when you are online.
- It is rated 13+ because of chat and contests.
- It has optional purchases. You can block in-app purchases on their device with Screen Time.
- It is in English only.
- **It is a set of games, not brain training.** We make no claim that Crux improves memory or prevents any condition.

## Other apps to look at

Facts from each app's App Store listing, read 6 November 2026.

- **[NYT Games](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id307569751)**: the NYT Crossword, the Mini and Wordle. Free to download. Wordle, Connections and Strands are free; the Crossword, the Mini and the rest of the archive need a subscription.
- **[AARP Staying Sharp](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1583055598)**: Brain-health challenges and lifestyle lessons on memory and focus. Free to download.
- **[Netflix Puzzled](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6742752351)**: Free. Its listing says no Netflix membership is required. Its listing says there are no in-game ads. Its listing says you can solve online or offline.

Get Crux

Free on iPhone and iPad. No ads.

## Sources

- [Crux on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6815674578)
- [Our promise to players](https://crux.quest/promise)
- [Privacy Policy](https://crux.quest/privacy)
- [Every Crux game](https://crux.quest/games/)
- [NYT Games on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id307569751)
- [Which NYT games are free (The Word Finder, 23 Sep 2026)](https://www.thewordfinder.com/blog/which-nyt-games-are-free/)
- [AARP Staying Sharp on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1583055598)
- [Netflix Puzzled on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6742752351)

Last checked 2026-11-06. Spot a mistake? [support@crux.quest](mailto:support@crux.quest)