Simple! A classic but popular cat’s cradle trick. Learn cat’s cradle and have fun!
Let me introduce some simple cat’s cradle tricks.
I’ll show you lots of classics like the “Broom,” “Ladder,” and “Rubber Band,” as well as various animals that kids will love!
These are enjoyable not only for beginners, but also for preschool and kindergarten-aged children.
All you need is a single string to play cat’s cradle anywhere, and people of all ages can enjoy it together—perfect for indoor play.
Take this opportunity to learn a few.
You can make a cat’s cradle string simply by tying yarn, but if you want to put more care into it, knitting one yourself might make it feel even more special!
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Simple! A classic but popular cat’s cradle trick. Learn cat’s cradle and have fun! (1–10)
broom
Among the classic, well-loved string figures, this broom is probably one of the best known.
Even though it’s a staple, it’s a bit on the difficult side, so even people who tried it as children may not clearly remember how to do it.
If that’s you, take a good look at the steps and give it some practice.
It’s really satisfying when you pull the string at the end and it turns neatly into a broom.
With asymmetrical string figures, there may often be an unexpected twist at the very end.
turtle
Cranes and turtles have long been loved as symbols of good fortune, and here we introduce how to make the turtle.
Animals look cute and are fun to make with string figures.
In addition to this turtle, it seems there are several alternate turtle designs, so try looking them up and making them as well.
In the world of string figures, there are also so-called “sequences,” where you gradually transform one figure into another, so give those a try too for even more fun.
river
When it comes to the most fundamental cat’s cradle that forms the basis for many others, isn’t this “River” the one? If you master just this, you can build on it to enjoy all kinds of variations, so be sure to learn it.
It’s so simple that even preschoolers can make it, so you should be able to do it right away.
Still, the person who came up with cat’s cradle is truly amazing, isn’t he? Watching a single loop of string transform into all sorts of shapes is moving.
It’s also fun to come up with your own new arrangements.
Easy! Classic but popular ayatori string figures. Learn and play ayatori! (11–20)
two-step ladder
The ladder, a popular cat’s cradle figure, comes in many varieties and is said to range from one to five rungs.
Here, we’ll introduce the two-rung ladder.
Watching the process of removing and picking up the string to create a complex pattern makes you feel the inventor must have been quite clever.
Simply put, it’s like doing knitting with your five fingers.
If you haven’t played cat’s cradle since you were a child, why not give it a try again?
tent
Cat’s cradle is fascinating, isn’t it? While you’re making it, you have no idea what it’s going to become, and then when a beautiful design appears, it’s truly amazing.
Let me introduce one such design: the tent, or the parachute.
It has different names depending on whether you hold it facing up or down.
For figures like this one, where handling the string is a bit tricky, having a parent guide their child can make for a fun time that also builds parent–child communication.
frog
Let’s make a cute “frog” with string figures! First, loop the string over both thumbs and little fingers.
With your right middle finger, pick up the string from the left palm.
Then, with your left middle finger, reach between the strings on the right middle finger and pick up the string from the right palm.
Use your thumbs to pick up the strings between the index and middle fingers, and use your little fingers to pick up the strings between the middle and ring fingers.
Slip off only the string closest to you from your thumbs, and also slip off the farthest string from your little fingers.
Finally, release the strings from your middle fingers and pull gently—your frog is complete! Once you learn the steps, it’s very easy.
three-step ladder
Have you mastered the one- and two-step ladders? Then let’s try the “three-step ladder”! First, loop the string over the thumb and index finger of your left hand.
Using the index finger of your right hand, pick up the string between the left thumb and index finger from above, twist it once, and pull it.
Next, using your right thumb, pick up the string from the same spot on the left hand from underneath this time, without twisting it, and pull.
Use your little fingers to pick up the string that is the second closest to you, and then place the strings that are on both index fingers onto their respective thumbs.
If it’s hard to hook them, pinch the string with the opposite hand to make it easier.
Slip the string closest to you off your thumbs, insert your index fingers into the triangular gap formed between the thumbs and index fingers, and press against your palms to secure it firmly.
Release the strings hooked on your little fingers, then spread both hands strongly away from yourself…
and the three-step ladder is complete!