How to Play Cats
Cradle
by Laurel Smith
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Step by step instructions and video
for playing Cat's Cradle with string
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This is a two person string
game that involves creating three shapes that transfer back and forth between
two people. The object is to see how long you can keep it going without
messing it up.
You can watch these step
by step instructions in the video below, or at youtube for how
to do Cat's Cradle!
Here are the steps to play Cat's
Cradle:
Step 1:
Lay the loop string on top
of both of your friend's wrists. Take the lower string from the inside
of the left wrist and wrap it up and to the outside around the wrist once.
Repeat on right hand using the lower inside string. |
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Step 2:
The friend will use her
middle finger to pick up the opposite string from each wrist. This
is the first position and is actually the "cat's cradle". (I never have
figured out why a cat needs a cradle, but that's beside the point!) |
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Step 3:
Next, you will use pointer
finger and thumb to grab the perpendicular Xs on both sides, then bring
them out and around and under the bottom string, and finally UP through
the center.
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Your friend will slowly
release all strings while you open your thumb and pointer fingers, which
should now give you the string figure in the shape of the large X. |
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Step 4:
Next, your friend will use
her pointer finger and thumbs to grab the perpendicular Xs again and bring
them out and around and under the bottom string, and UP through the center
again. You will slowly relase all strings and your friend will now
have the string figure in the "tractor" shape.
Step 5:
You will use your pinky
finger on your right hand to grab the inner string near YOUR LEFT side
and pull it to the outside right. Repeat with your left pinky. |
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Step 6:
Next, take both your pointers
and thumbs at the same time and put them down into the triangle made by
your pinky finger strings. Move them under the outer strings and
up through the center. Open your thumb and pointer, while she releases
all the strings again. Be careful NOT to release your pinky string during
this step! |
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Step 7:
This should put you back
at the first position again which is the "Cat's cradle" (although it may
look upside down, it won't matter). The entire exercise can
be repeated indefinitely. Just keep grabbing the Xs and bringing
them out around and under the outer strings. |
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For fun you can try speeding
it up. See how long you can keep it going!
My video on how to make cat's
cradle string figures is very helpful. I also have a lot of other
string figure tutorials on my Momsminivan
youtube channel. Please subscribe!
VIDEO:
And finally, if you need a real
time visual, here's a video with step by step instructions on how
to do Cat's Cradle! Please click over and give me a Youtube THUMBS
UP!
~ ..· ´¨¨))
-:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´
..·´ --Laurel
-:¦:-
-:¦:-
((¸¸.·´*
You might also like, "How
to Make a Cootie Catcher"
You will also like How
to Make a Paper Popper !

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