String Games and String Figures

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 86 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #12 in Family, #241 overall

String Games and String Figures

My daughter and her friends are having fantastic fun doing string games (also known as string figures) which seems to be the latest craze at school. Although I had a vague recollection of performing things like the Cat's Cradle and Jacobs Ladder myself in the school yard I did not feel equipped to deal with the inevitable queries for help. This lens is for all you parents who need to brush up on your skills and any budding enthusiasts.

Below are the best resources I found to set you on your way. Our string has been with us in cars and on planes to a large number of destinations because of its obvious portability attractions. String games/string figures are best suited for kids age 6 and up.

 

String Games and String Figures on Flickr 

1054P100_0704

1

1054P100_0704 4 points
Butterfly

2

Butterfly 2 points
string figure.. butterfly??

3

string figure..... 1 point
dscf0024.jpg

4

dscf0024.jpg 1 point
String Games

5

String Games 1 point
Room 4 Glenbrae School

6

Room 4 Glenbrae... 0 points
Two at This Game

7

Two at This Gam... 0 points
PA242005

8

PA242005 0 points
Eiffel Tower

9

Eiffel Tower 0 points
string games

10

string games 0 points
2007 - Day 131 - Cats Cradle

11

2007 - Day 131... 0 points
Jacob's Ladder

12

Jacob's Ladder 0 points

Websites Showing How To Perform String Games and String Figures 

The top two links are the two best sites for step by step instructions on how to perform particular string figures. The third link is great for those wanting instructions for multiple players.
WWW Collection of Favourite String Figures
With many figures to choose from, this site also has video clips available and an ability to add to the collection any new figures you may find elsewhere.
World - Wide Webs, String Figures from around the World
Site by the author of String Games, Richard Darsie, listed in the book section. This is a high content site with instructions for easy to very hard figures.
Two Person String Game
Really good instructions on how to do cat's cradle with two people. Great to do with friends!

Associations 

International String Figure Association
Become a member. The Association produces publcations, has infromation on gatherings and links to an e-mail discussion group.

The Best String Games Books on Amazon 

String Games from Around the World (Klutz) by Anne Akers Johnson

String Games from Around the World (Klutz) by Anne Akers Johnson

String Games from Klutz features 7 string games, introduced by 7 real kids. Includes an 80-page, full color book to explain the games and a tie-dyed string loop with which to play!1 point

String figures on YouTube 

ALYX AND THE AMAZING STRING TURTLE 1 point

ALYXZANDERS STRING SARDINES GAME 0 points

ALYXZANDER n CASSONDRA AMAZING STRING GAMES 0 points

How to do the Jacob's Ladder 0 points

cats cradle 0 points

Where To Buy Strings Online 

You can just use plain ordinary string or yarn/wool 80-100cm long looped with the two ends tied together, but if you fancy something a little more groovy try these sites for any extra strings you may need.
Klutz String
Tie-dyed yarns from Klutz. You get one of these free with the books Cat's Cradle and String Games from around the World
Strings from String Figure Store
Many colours and lengths to choose from.

Kids-N-Things Retailers Webring Kids-N-Things Retailers Webring by dozer_op [ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >> ] &copy 2001-2005 WebRing Inc. - Help - Browse WebRing

Other Great Kids Stuff on Squidoo 

Pictures of Other Fun Activites 

Origami by weazle

BEWARE BEGINNER

origami puzzle by Friends of Folding

A few young visitors play with a set of pentominoes constructed from busiiness c...

The Cootie Catcher by glueslabs

El Gato Fingerpuppet by Frog Is A Four Letter Word

For N#5's 2nd Birthday. Pattern from Weekend Knitting. Vari...

St Joseph's Convent School Knit and Natter club by innocent.drinks

These great pics were sent in by St Joseph's Convent School.

How to make a fairy (14) by craftybernie

These two fairies have bodies made using embroidery thread. I took a length of ...

How to make a fairy (2) by craftybernie

Paper-covered wire can be bought from cook shops & florists. The paper ...

More Craft Activities 

Klutz Velvet Art

Klutz Velvet Art

GENERAL FEATURES: Create Fabulous Fuzzy Masterpieces with KLUTZ KLUTZ award winning how-to books have been favorites for years and this book by Barbara Kane is no exception. This deluxe only-from-Klutz treatment of a classic coloring activity comes complete with ten vividly colored markers. Follow the step-by-step directions to make a fuzzy photo frame, a tactile maze, a wall hanging and other feel-good projects. Finally, velvet art with the caliber of imagination, inspiration and artwork such a...1 point

Klutz Friendship Bracelets

Klutz Friendship Bracelets

If your B.F.F. (Best Friends Forever) is 2 Good 2 Be 4 Gotten, why not K.I.T. (Keep In Touch) with your very own personalized friendship bracelets? This friend-tastic book is loaded with all the floss, beads, and instruction youll need to create cool and colorful customized bracelets. From the Broken Ladder to the Totem Pole, and the Rag Rug to the Zig Zag, there are 10 different designs that you can learn! And the back cover of the book is extended so that you can clip on your bracelet and w...1 point

Quilting Design Your Own Patchwork Projects

Quilting Design Your Own Patchwork Projects

Klutz Quilting is trendy, triangular, terrific! Quilting dates back as early as Ancient Egypt and is recognized as one of the great American Folk Arts. Now Klutz gives kids the tools to learn this extraordinary art with Quilting Design Your Own Patchwork Projects. Quilts have always been a fusion of practical and artistic, but every handmade quilt has one thing in common - they are completely unique and an expression of the talent and taste of the designer and creator. Klutz Design Your Own Patc...1 point

Potholders: Other Loopy Projects : Spiral (Klutz) by Barbara Kane

Potholders: Other Loopy Projects : Spiral (Klutz) by Barbara Kane

I made it myself! Make a potholder, picture frame, purse or even a tic-tac-toe board with this unique kit. Includes a loom, crochet hook, yarn, blunt yarn needle and lots of colorful loops everything needed for weaving fun. Colorful projects book includes complete illustrated instructions. Ages 6 and up. Every grandma needs at least one potholder in her kitchen!1 point

Klutz Capsters Book and Art Kit

Klutz Capsters Book and Art Kit

Make Bottle Caps into Great Works of Coolness! Capsters, the book, is the ultimate introduction to this new pop art form. To make a capster, take a bottle cap (included) and add a round piece of art (included), specially sized to fit neatly inside the cap. You might want to add a small charm (included) or perhaps some craft gems and glitter (included and included). Squirt some special goo (included) over your creation. Overnight the goo will dry into a super-shiny, clear, hard coating and -- voi...0 points

Origami Activity Book

Origami Activity Book

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding in which you turn a single, usually square, piece of paper into something recognizable without using glue, tape or scissors. This book provides step-by-step instructions, and uses color illustrations and photographs, to teach 10 different origami designs. Beginning with the easy fold of an airplane, youll work your way up to more complex creations, such as a penguin, a hopping frog, a seal, and a magic star. The book comes with 80 sheets of colorful...0 points

Klutz Itty-Bitty Princesses

Klutz Itty-Bitty Princesses

Make Your Own Itty-Bitty Princesses is about creating itty-bitty dolls. Attached to the book is a tiny tin holding necessary craft supplies. (All you need to round up are scissors and regular old glue.) In addition to the basics (wooden beads for heads, embroidery floss for hair, etc.), this tin includes sparkling jewels and tiny crowns. Think of Itty-Bitties as the snowflakes of the doll world: they're tiny, they're pretty, and no two are exactly alike. Written by the Editors of Klutz. For ages...0 points

Klutz The Cootie Catcher Book

Klutz The Cootie Catcher Book

The first and last word on cootie catchers, those folded paper fortune tellers consulted on playgrounds daily. Filled with the work of more than a dozen illustrators, this clever little book features 21 pre-printed tear-em-out-and-fold-em-up pages and zillions of ready-to-use fortunes, along with instructions on how to make your own cootie catchers from scratch. Contains 21 pre-printed tear-out pages. Wire-O Bound, 58 pages.0 points

Wax Strings

Wax Strings

An everything-you-need activity kit that lets kids create art that jumps right off of the page. Comes with 56 brightly colored wax-dipped strings that are just sticky enough to cling cooperatively, but never permanently, and are easily manipulated into all kinds of nifty drawings. This no-mess, take-it-anywhere quiet-kid kit is the perfect travel game.0 points

Blog Posts from Google 

Frisco Kids: Coming Up: PJ Library Storytime And Kids Crafts
Coming Up: PJ Library Storytime And Kids Crafts. Story time! Enjoy a reading of a favorite PJ Librar...
The Frugal Life News: Outdoor Kids Crafts
Outdoor Kids Crafts. When the weather is nice, it can be a welcome change to create crafts that make...
Crafts Books for Kids
Cover Art Kids Crafts Book - Knotting Are you looking for some more ideas for summer activities for...
Kids, Crafts and Chaos: Thoughts on Thursday
Kids, Crafts and Chaos. Thursday, 9 July 2009. Thoughts on Thursday. I don't really have any real re...

Share your Experience with String Games 

AppalachianCountry wrote...

Great lens. We had forgot all these. Thank-you for the memory. 5 stars*****

ReplyPosted June 20, 2009

RosemarieFransen wrote...

I can remember doing this as a child. We always enjoyed going to Grandpa's place as he had all these puzzle games and such. Great lens, keep up the good work!

ReplyPosted April 08, 2009

FreeFunStuff wrote...

I never was any good at this when I was younger........maybe I should give it another try :) Free Fun Stuff!

ReplyPosted March 30, 2009

jessicahoward wrote...

great lens....i love this games....i reminded me my childhood days when i used to play these games....thanx for sharing it....

ReplyPosted March 10, 2009

kathieleeb wrote...

Nice lens...I remember my sister and I doing the cat's cradle!

ReplyPosted January 12, 2009

 
1 of 14 pages

by glossym

I have been squidooing for a while now and can't seem to stop building lenses. Check out my newest lens on how to do a behavioural job interview...

(more)
Create a Lens!