How to Play Cat's Cradle Game & Other String Games

Do the kids enjoy playing fun and simple solitary games or games with a friend? All that is needed is a long loop of string or yarn, and you are ready to create figures and play string games alone or with a buddy.

The old art and games using yarn and string are returning and popular with kids and teens alike. They are also popular with parents who need to keep their children entertained with quiet creativity. But be careful because the whole family can get caught up in the fun art of yarn and classic string games!

The fun thing about these string figures and yarn games is that they start with one string figure, and as you move along, flipping the yarn or string back and forth with your fingers, it turns into another figure.

It takes some memory of the various steps to transform the yarn or string into fancy shapes and figures, but that's another big part of the fun!  Grab a friend and get started!

Getting Started With Cat's Cradle Game

First, it is necessary to prepare the yarn or string. A rule of thumb is to hold the end of the string in one hand and, with the other hand, wrap the string from your hand around your bent elbow 2-1/2 times. Cut the string and tie it into a loop. To see detailed video instructions on the best way to measure the length of the string or yarn and how to tie it, click here to learn how to get started, along with video directions for many string figures, including Open the Gate.

If this is the first time trying these games and figures, Cat's Cradle Game is the place to begin. It won't take long until you've mastered Cat's Cradle, and then you can quickly move strings around from Cats Cradle to form the following figure called Cat's Whiskers.

Move more strings around and transform Cat's Whiskers into Jacob's Ladder.  Like magic, it's possible to move strings from Jacob's Ladder to form the Eiffel Tower and, from that, on to Witch's Hat.

Cat's Cradle is a classic playground game. But there are so many string and yarn figures to make alone or with two people. Try your hand (pun intended!) at Open the Gate, Hammock (also known as Fishnet), Spider Web, Flower, Star, and even one called Pants and Suspenders!

Scroll down and look through our resources below to learn the names of the figures and more yarn or string figures to make and play with. If you enjoy playing with string or yarn, check out our page on knot tying!