[Magic] Easy-to-enjoy trick using string figures (Ayatori)
Cat’s cradle you can enjoy with just one string.
It’s a traditional pastime beloved by children then and now—whether you quietly play solo or enjoy two-person cat’s cradle with a friend.
Here, we’ve gathered easy magic tricks you can do using cat’s cradle.
Along with classics like “Finger Escape” and “Ring Escape,” we introduce a variety of tricks that connect cat’s cradle techniques to magic!
Perfect for everyday play with kids or events in early childhood settings—feel free to make use of them.
If you love cat’s cradle, take this opportunity to give them a try!
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[Magic] Easy Tricks You Can Enjoy Using String Figures (21–30)
ring removal
This is a magic trick where a ring that should be threaded onto a cat’s cradle string slips off.
Gather the cat’s cradle string into a single loop and pass the ring through it.
Then place the left end of the string over your left thumb and little finger, and the right end over your right thumb and little finger.
Next, use your right middle finger to reach from underneath and pull out the string that’s on your left thumb and little finger.
Do the same on the other side: use your left middle finger to pull out the string from your right thumb and little finger.
Do you have the basic cat’s cradle position now? Finally, remove all strings from your fingers except the ones on your left thumb and right middle finger.
When you pull the remaining strings, the ring will slip off.
If you pull too quickly, the ring may fly off, so pull slowly!
Elevator
A classic of cat’s cradle magic—the Elevator! Let’s try it.
First, loop the string over the thumb and index finger of your left hand.
From the space between your left thumb and index finger, use your right hand to pull out the string that’s at the back of your left hand.
Once you’ve pulled it all the way out, retrace your path: thread the string you’re holding with your right hand back through the space between your left thumb and index finger.
After you’ve passed the right-hand string through, bring your left thumb and index finger together.
Next, hook the end of the right-hand string onto your left thumb and index finger and pull straight out…
and the string on your left hand slips right off, doesn’t it? That’s the Elevator! There are more complicated versions, but start by mastering this simple method.
Magic Broom
This Magic Broom lets you show off the string figure “Broom” as if it were a magic trick! The method is the same as for the regular broom.
First, loop the string around the thumbs and little fingers of both hands.
Next, use the right middle finger to pick up the string on the left palm from underneath and pull it out—here’s the key point! After you pull the string out, slip your middle finger under that string and give it a twist.
Then, with your left middle finger, reach over the twisted string to catch the string on the right palm and pull it out.
Be careful not to twist the string at this step.
Finally, release the strings from the right thumb and right little finger, and pull with the middle fingers to complete the “Broom.” For the Magic Broom version, clap your hands sharply before removing the strings from the right thumb and little finger.
In that moment, quickly release the strings and pull with your middle fingers—your broom will appear in an instant, making it look just like a magic trick!
Wrist escape
A friend can help you! This is a magic trick where a string loop wrapped around a wrist slips off in an instant.
Ask your friend to make a fist and point their knuckles upward.
The performer places the string loop around the friend’s wrist and wraps the right-hand string once clockwise.
Put the remaining string over the thumbs and little fingers of both hands, then use the right middle finger to hook and pull up the string from the left palm from underneath.
Do the same with the left hand to pull up the string from the right palm.
Bring the string over your friend’s hand, and pass your friend’s wrist through the center hole formed by the strings on both middle fingers.
Finally, release all the strings except those on your middle fingers and pull the strings and…? Amazing! The loop slips right off your friend’s wrist.
It’s a surefire trick that will delight your friend!
Ring removal for two people
Have fun with your friends! This is a magic trick where a ring comes off a string.
First, gather the cat’s cradle string into a single loop and pass the ring through it.
Hook each end of the string over your friend’s wrists.
With the ring in the center, grab the far string on the left side of the ring (from your point of view) with your left hand and pull it toward you.
Move the ring to the right, then, on the left side of the ring, grab the far string from underneath with your right hand, pull it, and place it over your friend’s right hand.
Don’t let go of the string in your left hand yet.
Next, move the ring to the left, take the far string on the right side of the ring from above, and place it over your friend’s right hand.
Finally, pull the ring with your right hand while letting go of the string in your left hand, and the ring will come off!
In conclusion
The mysterious world of string-figure magic is remarkably deep.
Watching the string slip smoothly off a finger or seem to warp from one place to another will captivate any audience.
Once you master it, you’ll have a wonderful skill that can create fun moments with family and friends—something you’ll treasure for a long time.
Let’s spread a circle of smiles together with the magic of string-figure tricks.