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Children's String Games

String games are basic games for children that don&'t require batteries or to be plugged in. They improve dexterity, fine motor control and concentration and, perhaps best of all, can be played anywhere at any time. They have been around in nearly every culture for thousands of years. All that is required for these games is a twelve inch piece of string and hands. Ancient cultures used sinew or fiber twine but today simple string is easily available for hours of diverse creations.

Cat&'s Cradle
- A game once played at Christmas time in Colonial America, cat&'s cradle produces a basic string figure. Its original name, cratch cradle, probably refers to the manger. This is a two-person game. Knot a piece of string at the ends so that it creates a circle and slip it over your hands, palms facing each other, with one side resting between your thumbs and hands. Loop the string around your hands, not including thumbs, and pull apart. Slip your right second finger into the string around your left palm and your left second finger into the string around your right palm. Pull your hands apart again. You should have an X on each side, with a straight string under the X. The second player now takes hold of each X with her thumb and forefinger. She pulls out and under the straight strings, into the center of the cradle. Now you have a double X in the center. The second player pulls the sides of the double X under and out, creating a new design: the cradle.
The Wink
- The wink is a simple, entertaining one-person game. Place the loop over the index and middle fingers of your right hand. Make sure your palm is facing down and the loop is hanging down. Using the thumb and index finger of your left hand, grasp the string just under the middle finger and loop it around the index/middle finger combination just once. Now loop the string around the right thumb. Take the top string off the index finger and loop it around the thumb. Remove the original string from the thumb and let it hang down across the palm. Grasp the piece of string that is hanging across your palm and closest to your fingers. Drape it around your thumb. To make the "eye" wink, pull the two strings that are hanging down.
Hand Catch
- This is a two-person game that allows you to catch another person&'s hand in the string. Hold the string circle with palms facing each other and the loop around your thumbs. Put your little fingers in the loop so you are holding it with the right side around your thumb and little finger, string across palm and the left side is the same. Slip your right index finger into the string on the left palm and pull apart. Slip your left index finger into the string on the right palm and pull apart. Have another player put her hand in the center of your string. Release the little finger strings and the strings on the index fingers and pull back to catch her hand with the strings.

Kids Games