Can’t find a piece of string the exact length? Try cutting a piece of yarn, twine, or cord yourself. Use a long shoelace to play the game if you’re in a pinch and need a quick way to pass the time.
Keep in mind that there’s generally no “winner” with this game—the goal is to see how far you and your friend(s) can go without making a mistake. You can play Cat’s Cradle with as many people as you want, moving the string from one person to the next after each cycle. Try picking a partner whose hands are roughly the size of your own to make the game a little easier. For the sake of these instructions, let’s pretend you start the game.
Some players prefer to lace the string around their middle and ring finger to start the game, but that could make it a bit harder for beginners.
Turn your wrists so that only 1 strand gets wrapped around twice. Otherwise, both strands will twist together and you won’t have the same setup. If you’re having trouble looping the string around your wrists a second time, have another player help you.
To keep the game going, have the next player form a new shape.
When your friend opens their thumb and forefinger, they’ll have the second shape: “Solider’s Bed. ”
This is the third shape in the Cat’s Cradle sequence and is called “Candles. ” Candles is also known as “Chopsticks” in Korea and “Mirror” in parts of Europe. [6] X Research source
The Manger is essentially an upside-down version of Cat’s Cradle. If you continue from The Manger in the same order, you’ll make “Diamonds,” which is an inverted Soldier’s Bed. [8] X Research source
Soldier’s Bed and Diamonds are often used interchangeably to discuss the same “X” formation.
Make sure your friend doesn’t let go of the strings in their pinkies while they weave in and out of the triangles. And now you’ve completed your first cycle of Cat’s Cradle! Keep the game going by doing your friend’s steps with your friend doing your steps in the next cycle. Try transitioning into different shapes and following a new sequence as you get better and better at the game.
Practice slowly the first few times until you get the hang of the game. For an added challenge, increase your speed each time you successfully complete a cycle.
Make your string a little longer if you’re just learning how to play. The length of the string dictates how far apart your hands need to be in order to hold the string taut. Keep your thumbs and pinkies out of the string, so you can use them to transition between shapes by yourself.
Candles is the second shape in a solo cycle of Cat’s Cradle. If you drop your right hand instead of your left, you’ll end up with a knot in the middle of your design.
Keep repeating the cycle to see how many times you can complete it without making a mistake. Speed up as you get the hang of it to make the game more of a challenge.
